Grounds And Maintenance Operative

Blackrock College; Blackrock; On-site; EUR 17,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Sick pay

Job summary

Blackrock College is seeking a reliable Grounds Maintenance Operative to join the Maintenance Department at Blackrock College & Willow Park. The role focuses on keeping the campus in top condition with attention to safety for students, staff, visitors, and all campus users.

The duties cover preparation and maintenance of natural and artificial sports surfaces, entrances and exits, lawns, landscaped areas, and pedestrian routes.

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds maintenance, landscaping, gardening, or sports turf maintenance preferred.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Experience operating grounds maintenance machinery and equipment preferred.
• Understand health and safety requirements in the workplace.
• Reliability, punctuality, and ability to work as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Maintain landscape and sport surfaces including lawns, shrubs, and paths.
• Prepare and maintain natural and artificial sports surfaces and related facilities.
• Set up and mark sports pitches and maintain turf and pitches.
• Operate irrigation systems and lawn care equipment.
• Carry out seasonal maintenance such as leaf clearance and de-icing when required.
• Support set-up and clean-up for school events and general campus duties.

Job description

Grounds Maintenance Operative

Location: Blackrock College & Willow Park
Job Type: Full-time
Working Hours: 8am - 4pm, Monday to Friday
Rate of Pay: €14.65 per hour

About the Role

Blackrock College is seeking a reliable and hardworking Grounds Maintenance Operative to join our Maintenance Department.

The successful candidate will help maintain and present the campus to the highest possible standard, with particular attention to the safety of students, staff, visitors, and all other campus users.

The role includes the preparation and maintenance of natural and artificial sports surfaces, entrances and exits, recreational lawns, landscaped areas, shrubberies, and pedestrian routes.

Key Responsibilities

Landscape Maintenance and Development

• Carry out weed control, pruning, planting, and mulching in shrubbery areas
• Prune hedges and carry out light tree pruning
• Maintain lawns, landscaped areas, flower beds, and pedestrian routes
• Support the ongoing development and improvement of the campus grounds

Sports Surfaces and Lawn Maintenance

• Maintain natural turf and artificial sports surfaces
• Set up and mark sports pitches
• Carry out divoting and general pitch repairs
• Mow lawns and sports pitches
• Operate irrigation systems
• Carry out top dressing and soil aeration
• Apply fertilisers and herbicides in accordance with relevant procedures and safety requirements

Autumn and Winter Maintenance

• Carry out leaf blowing, collection, and disposal
• Clear snow and help maintain safe access routes
• Clear surface-water drains
• Apply de-icing materials when required
• Complete basic maintenance and cleaning of grounds equipment

General Campus Duties

• Maintain high standards of litter control throughout the campus
• Assist with waste management duties
• Support traffic management arrangements when required
• Assist with the set-up and clean-up of school events
• Help ensure entrances, exits, pathways, and public areas remain clean, safe, and accessible
• Carry out other reasonable grounds-related duties as assigned

Equipment Used in the Role

The successful candidate may be required to operate a range of grounds maintenance equipment, including:

• Tractors
• Utility vehicles
• Ride-on mowers
• Pedestrian mowers
• Leaf and grass blowers
• Leaf and debris vacuums
• Pedestrian spikers
• Hedge trimmers
• Sand spreaders
• Strimmers and brush cutters
• Soil aerators
• Knapsack sprayers
• Irrigation equipment
• Hand tools

Appropriate training will be provided where required.

Candidate Requirements

The ideal candidate will:

• Have previous experience in grounds maintenance, landscaping, gardening, sports turf maintenance, or a similar role
• Be comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Have experience operating grounds maintenance machinery and equipment
• Understand the importance of workplace health and safety
• Be reliable, punctual, and able to work as part of a team
• Have good attention to detail and take pride in maintaining high standards
• Be able to carry out the physical duties associated with the role
• Be flexible and willing to assist with school events and seasonal duties

Experience in sports pitch maintenance, machinery operation, pesticide application, or irrigation systems would be an advantage.

Pay: €14.65 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person