Qualified Greenkeeper

Southampton City Council; Southampton; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent pension

Generous holiday

Flexible working

Training & development

Staff discounts

Job summary

Southampton City Council invites applications for a Greenkeeper at the Southampton Municipal Golf Course. Join an established team and help maintain a historic 27-hole course, focusing on fine turf care and heritage conservation.

The role requires holding or working toward GMA Level 2 Turf Surface and pesticide certificates, with a clean driving licence and ability to work outdoors in all weather. Permanent, full-time, 37 hours weekly, with seasonal day-length variations.

Qualifications

• Full, clean driving licence required.
• GMA Level 2 Turf Surface or equivalent; PA1/PA2/PA6 desirable.
• Ability to communicate effectively in speech and writing.
• Outdoor work in all weathers is essential.

Responsibilities

• Carry out fine turf maintenance of greens, aprons and tees.
• Undertake scheduled work programmes.
• Perform fine turf tasks: spiking, rolling, scarifying, fertilisers, top dressing, pesticides and fungicides.
• Operate machinery (strimmers, mowers, tractors, attachments, leaf blowers) safely.
• Undertake other grounds maintenance and horticultural tasks as required.

Skills

Full driving licence

GMA Level 2 Turf Certificate

PA1

PA2

PA6

Tractor operation certificate

Effective communication

Education

GMA Level 2 Turf Surface or above

Tools

Tractors

Ride-on mowers

Pedestrian mowers

Leaf blowers

Job description

We have an opportunity for a Greenkeeper to work within an established team at the Southampton Municipal golf course. Designed by J H Taylor (five times British Open Champion) and completed in 1935 this 27 hole golf course is set in mature parkland. Recent renovations to the course have increased users and we are looking for people who are passionate about maintaining the course into the future, unlocking its full potential and cultivating its heritage and biodiverse character.

About the role:

You will be responsible for:

• Carrying out fine turf maintenance of greens, aprons, tees
• Undertaking scheduled work programmes
• Undertaking specific fine turf maintenance such as spiking, rolling, scarifying, application of fertilisers, top dressing, applying pesticides and fungicides
• Operating machinery such as strimmers, ride-on and pedestrian mowers, tractors and attachments, leaf blowers etc. and ensure all operations are carried out in a safe manner in accordance with the Risk Assessment and any other Health and Safety Regulations and Safe Working Procedures
• Undertake other grounds maintenance and horticultural works when required

About you:

To be successful in the role you will be competent and experienced in golf course green keeping and the use of associated vehicles and machinery, preferably having previous experience managing fine turf areas. You must have:

• A full, clean driving licence.
• A minimum of Grounds Management Association (GMA) level 2 Technical Certificate in Turf Surface or above, or equivalent, and relevant Certificates and/or proofs of technical competence. PA1, PA2 and PA6 pesticide competency certificates and a relevant certificate of competence in the operation of tractors would be desirable.
• You will require the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• It is essential for you to work outdoors, sometimes in poor weather.

This is a permanent full time contract averaging 37 hours per week, with a seasonal variation working shorter days during the off-peak season and longer days during the peak season. Shift patterns are Sunday to Thursday or Tuesday to Saturday.

You will be based at the Southampton Municipal Golf Course, which has excellent transport links to all of the surrounding area of Hampshire and beyond.

The Southampton Municipal Golf Course came back in house to Southampton City Council in 2021 and has had investment into improving the course which has increased membership and pay to play numbers. The course lies within a conservation area of natural beauty offering an outstanding location for a round of golf. The par 70, 6174yd, 18-hole course is a championship course set in mature parkland and is regarded as one of the best municipal courses in southern England. Our nine-hole course features par three, four and five holes and is easily fitted into a busy day.

What we can offer you:

Salary: This position falls within Grade 6 of the Southampton City Council's pay grades, which equates to an annual salary of £28,792 - £31,022, there is also an enhancement for weekend working.

Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.

• Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
• Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
• Generous holiday 25-31 days, based on role and service
• Flexible working options (role-dependent)
• Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
• Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
• Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
• Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer

For further information on our benefits package please visit:

Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)