Landscape Sports Assistant

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Hybrid work

Discounts

Staff networks

Job summary

The University of Sheffield seeks a dedicated Landscape Sports Assistant to oversee daily operations at Norton Sports Park and Goodwin Sports Centre. This role ensures safety, cleanliness and readiness of our sports facilities for students and the wider community.

Reporting to the Landscape Supervisor, you will work flexibly across external facilities within the Sport & Physical Activity portfolio, conduct inspections, maintain equipment, promote health and safety, and support high standards of

Qualifications

• Hold a Level 3 Horticulture qualification and experience of working within the landscape industry
• Hold a relevant health and safety qualification (IOSH working safely) or the ability to achieve within 3 months of starting in post
• Hold a First Aid at Work qualification or the ability to achieve within 3 months of starting in post
• A good working knowledge of health and safety requirements and relevant legislation and knowledge of facility operating procedures
• Demonstrable experience of undertaking an effective maintenance programme, including planned and reactive works and operational service delivery of natural and synthetic facilities
• Experience and relevant certification of using and maintaining a wide variety of landscape machinery
• Experience and relevant certification of using spraying equipment PA1 & PA6
• Experience of recording inventories and implementing regular inspection checks within a multi use sports facility environment in line with current legislation
• Ability to work independently and organise resources, plan and progress work activities
• Effective communication skills, dealing with face-to-face, telephone and email enquiries politely and courteously whilst managing expectations
• Willingness to work flexibly across a number of facilities and motivated to work in all weathers
• Hold a full UK driving licence (a substantive licence to drive in the UK)

Responsibilities

• Assist the Landscape Supervisor with the planning and delivery of an annual maintenance programme including use of specialised machinery
• Have a working knowledge of normal and emergency operating procedures and comply with current health and safety legislation
• Open/secure the facility, storage areas, vehicles and conduct opening checks, including inspecting pitches and welcoming customers
• Conduct pre-use inspections of grounds equipment and liaise with external service providers
• Work with the Grounds Supervisor to ensure adequate resources and stock meet objectives
• Promote a positive team spirit and customer-focused service delivery
• Contribute to audit processes to ensure compliance with health and safety and ISO standards
• Maintain a flexible approach across multiple sites and adapt to programming changes
• Maintain vocational qualifications and participate in staff training to ensure compliance with policies
• On occasions act as senior Landscape Team member coordinating facilities and services under a Senior Manager
• Embed University sustainability strategy in daily activities
• Undertake basic administrative duties and respond to emergencies as needed
• Support University of Sheffield Open Days with information for prospective students
• Carry out other duties as commensurate with grade and remit

Skills

Teamwork

Time management

Customer service

Health & safety awareness

Communication

Education

Level 3 Horticulture qualification

First Aid at Work

IOSH Working Safely

Tools

PA1 & PA6 spraying qualifications

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The University of Sheffield seeks a dedicated Landscape Sports Assistant to oversee daily operations at both the Norton Sports Park and Goodwin Sports Centre. This critical role is instrumental in ensuring the safety, cleanliness, and operational readiness of our sports facilities for the benefit of students and the wider community.

• Reporting to the Landscape Supervisor, key responsibilities include:
• Hold a flexible approach to work, including across all external facilities within the Sport & Physical Activity portfolio.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a cohesive team, coupled with excellent time management and task prioritisation skills, is essential.
• Evidence of a thorough, competent working knowledge of operational service delivery of natural and synthetic sports facilities.
• Deliver planned and reactive services, seeking to continuously improve standards, embrace change and ensure compliance with Integrated Management System (IMS) processes.
• Hold a working knowledge of matters relating to health and safety and understand the need to meet compliance standards and to promote a safe and healthy work environment.
• Excellent communication and enjoys interaction with customers and peers
• A strong commitment to the Sheffield Professional values is expected, guiding the implementation of operational processes and procedures. The Landscape Sports Assistant will be responsible for conducting daily inspections and ensuring strict adherence to safe working practices, in full compliance with relevant legislation and the University Health and Safety Policy.

Sport & Physical Activity is situated within Student Academic Services (S&AS), a department dedicated to enhancing the student experience through comprehensive support, including initiatives that promote student health and wellbeing.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Assist the Landscape Supervisor (Sports) with the planning and delivery of an annual maintenance programme including use of specialised machinery (e.g. aerators, topdressers, or large mowers).
• Have a working knowledge of normal and emergency operating procedures and comply with current health and safety legislation, promoting a positive health and safety culture.
• Open/secure the facility, storage areas, vehicles and conduct the opening checks, including inspecting the pitches, welcoming customers, act as a point of contact for first aid and general enquiries.
• Conduct pre-use inspections of grounds equipment, report faults, remove equipment from use where required, liaise with Grounds Supervisor and external service providers regarding equipment servicing, and record as appropriate.
• Work with the Grounds Supervisor and Sport & Physical Activity to ensure adequate resources, equipment and stock are available to meet specific work objectives.
• Foster and actively promote a ‘can do’ culture: with a particular focus on a positive team spirit and customer-focused service delivery
• Contribute to audit processes to ensure compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974), and Quality and Environmental Management Systems (ISO9001 and ISO14001)
• Maintain a flexible approach to work, including working across multiple sites and the ability to react quickly to changes in programming requirements
• Maintain vocational qualifications, ensure all mandatory training is completed, partake in ongoing professional development and participate in regular staff training sessions to ensure compliance with University, IMS, current legislation and business needs
• On occasions may be asked to act as a senior member of the Landscape Team to co-ordinate the delivery of facilities and services under the guidance of a Senior Manager.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Undertake basic administrative duties to provide effective communication between Sport & Physical Activity, wider university colleagues, external agencies and governing bodies.
• Respond to emergencies and initiate Emergency Action Plans, including evacuating facilities, as required.
• Support University of Sheffield Open Days on behalf of Sport & Physical Activity providing prospective students with all the relevant information.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential Or Desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Hold a Level 3 Horticulture qualification and experience of working within the landscape industry

Application/ interview

Hold a relevant health and safety qualification (IOSH working safely) or the ability to achieve within 3 months of starting in post

Application/ interview

Hold a First Aid at Work qualification or the ability to achieve within 3 months of starting in post

Application/ interview

A good working knowledge of health and safety requirements and relevant legislation and knowledge of facility operating procedures

Interview

Demonstrable experience of undertaking an effective maintenance programme, including planned and reactive works and operational service delivery of natural and synthetic facilities

Interview

Experience and relevant certification of using and maintaining a wide variety of landscape machinery

Interview

Experience and relevant certification of using spraying equipment PA1 & PA6

Interview

Experience of recording inventories and implementing regular inspection checks within a multi use sports facility environment in line with current legislation.

Interview

Experience in recording and logging all work tasks accurately in line with policies and procedures

Interview

Ability to work independently and organise resources, plan and progress work activities

Interview

Effective communication skills, dealing with face-to-face, telephone and email enquiries politely and courteously whilst managing expectations and the ability to record technical details and specific requests

Interview

Willingness to work flexibly across a number of facilities and motivated to work in all weathers including the winter clearance program which may include mornings, evenings and weekends

Interview

Hold a full UK driving licence (a substantive (non-provisional) licence to drive in the UK)

Application/ interview

Further Information

Grade

4

£25,249 - £26,707 (with the potential to progress to £28,778 with sustained exceptional contribution)

Work arrangement

Full time

Line manager

Operations Manager

Direct reports

Our website

Sport & Physical Activity

For informal enquiries about this job contact Lee Brown, Assistant Facilities & Fitness Manager: on [e-mail] or on 0114 222 6954

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on the week commencing 26th October 2026. This will consist of an activity/task and interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 19th October 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Lee Brown [e-mail]

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What We Offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
• paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
• support for those going through the menopause
• paid time off and support for fertility treatment
• and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.