Grounds Person Grade 3 - 5 posts

Education Authority; Banbridge; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

The Education Authority invites applications for a Grounds Maintenance Groundsperson in the Banbridge area. You will work as part of the Grounds Maintenance Service under the Team Supervisor, performing grounds duties and operating related equipment.

The role involves maintaining playing fields, trees and shrub beds, grass turfing and upgrading facilities. A valid driving licence is essential; roles may be allocated across Banbridge, Seagoe and Newry areas.

Qualifications

• Holds NVQ Level 1 in Horticulture or IOG National Certificate or equivalent with at least one year in grounds maintenance.
• Demonstrates knowledge of Health and Safety relevant to amenity horticulture.
• Holds full, current valid driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Setting out, marking and maintenance of playing fields, sports and amenity areas.
• Preparation, planting and maintenance of tree and shrub areas; pruning and minor tree surgery.
• Maintenance of grass areas and upgrading of playing facilities.
• Constructional labouring duties related to the post.
• Carry out minor works including plans interpretation, hard/soft landscaping and site prep.
• Supervise trainees or others, directing work.
• Operate and maintain powered plant and tractor-mounted equipment.
• Open/close gates and drive vehicles for transport of goods and personnel.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Teamwork

Planning and organisation

Initiative

Education

NVQ Level 1 in Horticulture

IOG National Certificate / equivalent

Tools

Driving Licence

Job description

Job Reference: 26007565)Primary Location : Down-Banbridge-Grounds Maintenance Depot BanbridgeOther Locations :Down-Newry-Grounds Maintenance Depot Newry, Armagh-Portadown-Grounds Maintenance Depot Portadown, Armagh-Armagh-Armagh OfficeContract Type : PermanentDuration of Contract/Contract End Date : N/AStatus : Full-TimeHours per Week : 36 hours per weekWorking Pattern : Monday - Thursday (8:00am - 4:30pm) Friday (8:00am - 12.00pm)Grade/Scale : Groundsperson (Grade 3) | NJC pt 11 - 14 | £14.9917 - £15.7367 per hourAdditional Allowance(s) : Not ApplicableAnticipated Interview Date(s) : TBCAdditional Information: The person appointed shall work as a member of the Grounds Maintenance Service and be responsible for carrying out grounds duties under the direction of the Grounds Maintenance Team Supervisor. Suitable applicants who are not appointed to this immediate vacancy will be placed on a reserve list for the Banbridge, Seagoe and Newry area, which will remain valid for one year and may be offered appointments with variable working hours at the discretion of the EA during that period.JOB DESCRIPTIONResponsible to: Team Supervisor or other supervising officerJob PurposeThe person appointed shall work as a member of the Grounds Maintenance Service, and be responsible for carrying out grounds duties under the direction of the Team Supervisor or other supervising officeDuties and ResponsibilitiesSetting out, marking and maintenance of all playing fields, sports and amenity areas.Preparation, planting and maintenance of tree and shrub areas, including any associated specialist work such as pruning and minor tree surgery.Preparation, seeding, turfing and maintenance of grass areas including the upgrading of playing facilities.Constructional labouring duties associated with the post.Carry out minor works including interpretation of plans, hard and soft landscaping, site preparation and construction.To accept responsibility for the direction of the work of trainees and/or other employees assigned to them.Use-and-routine maintenance of all powered plant, tractor mounted equipment and machinery necessary for the job.Opening, closing and locking gates, where appropriate.Driving and routine maintenance of any vehicle necessary for the transportation of goods, equipment and personnel.General ConditionsAll duties must be carried out to comply with:The Health and Safety at Work (N1) Order 1978,Agreed Codes of Practice; including the COSHH regulations and Safe Working Practices manuals,Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements,Any other statutory regulations which may apply. 2. All duties will be carried out in the working conditions normally inherent in the particular job, including the agreed flexible working hours arrangement. 3. All necessary paperwork must be completed. 4. Duties will be carried out for jobs up to and including those in the same grade, provided such duties are within the competency of the employee.TrainingEmployees will accept any training to facilitate the undertaking of duties for jobs up to and including their own grade.Employees will accept training for jobs graded at higher levels than their own. Payment will only be made where there is a requirement by the authority for the higher level duties to be carried out, in adherence to EA guidelines.This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.PERSON SPECIFICATIONNOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.Section 1 - Essential CriteriaThe following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.Factor Essential Criteria Method of AssessmentQualifications/ExperienceHold an NVQ Level 1 in Horticulture, IOG National Certificate or an equivalent or higher level qualification relevant to amenity horticulture and have one year's relevant experience of working in a grounds maintenance settingORhave two year’s relevant experience of working in a grounds maintenance settingShortlisting by Application FormKnowledge Demonstrable awareness/knowledge of Health and Safety requirements relevant to amenity horticulture and the safe use of machinery/equipmentShortlisting by Application FormOtherHold a full, current valid driving licenceShortlisting by Application FormSection 2 - Essential CriteriaThe following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.Factor Essential Criteria Method of AssessmentQualifications/ExperienceEvidence of knowledge of:The requirements of a Groundsperson, and,The machinery/equipment used for grounds maintenance.InterviewSkills/AbilitiesIn line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of:Effective interpersonal and communication skillsEffective team working skillsAbility to use own initiativePlanning and organisational skillsInterviewValues OrientationEvidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.InterviewSection 3 - Desirable CriteriaSome or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.Factor Desirable Criteria Method of AssessmentQualificationsHold Pesticide Application Certificates PA1, PA2 and PA6Shortlisting by Application FormOur ValuesThrough the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDThe Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.Further information can be accessed on www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/accessni-criminal-record-checks or www.justice-ni.gov.uk/articles/about-accessni