Groundsperson
40 hours per week (applications for part-time work will be considered)
Salary between £20,000 to £29,000 depending on experience
Are you passionate about sports turf maintenance? Do you enjoy working outdoors and contributing to the upkeep of beautiful grounds?
An exciting opportunity awaits you at our prestigious College with cricket, rugby and football pitches as well as Astro Turf, all located in a stunning riverside setting. The successful applicant will be joining us at an exciting time when we have 6 new rugby/football pitches being brought into operation from September 2024.
We are dedicated to ensuring our grounds are maintained to the highest standards and as our sports facilities expand, we are looking for enthusiastic people to grow our team.
As a Groundsperson, you will be part of the grounds team and your responsibilities will include:
- Preparing and maintaining to a high standard our sports pitches including 3 cricket pitches, grass tennis courts, 8 rugby/football pitches and artificial playing surface
- Conducting sports turf renovation activities such as top dressing and overseeding. Pre-season preparation and end of season renovation of the cricket pitches is a particular focus of the role
- Sports turf maintenance tasks including marking out initial pitches, over marking, mowing, scarifying, aeration and applying fertilizers and pesticides
- Operating and maintaining grounds maintenance equipment such as mowers, strimmers, leaf blowers, and tractors
- Ensuring cleanliness and tidiness in tools, workshops, and storage rooms
- Conducting regular inspections to ensure the safety and quality of playing surfaces
- Assisting with the planning and scheduling of grounds maintenance tasks
To excel in this role, you should possess the following qualities:
- Professional grounds maintenance experience or an appetite to learn
- Sound knowledge of and previous use of horticultural machinery or an appetite to learn
- Self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- High attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high standards
- Physically fit, adaptable to changing schedules and working in various weather conditions
- Enthusiasm and dedication to contributing to a thriving school environment
- An interest in supporting the growth of our sports facilities
Hours of Work: This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week with an unpaid lunch hour and two paid 20-minute breaks. Additional hours will be required throughout the year, including weekend working for sporting and other events, hours are agreed in advance. Overtime attracts an additional payment.
We are ideally looking for an experienced Groundsperson however we will also consider applications if you have a keen interest in grounds or limited experience. We support personal growth and can offer comprehensive training and development opportunities.
Shiplake College offers a beautiful working environment, supportive colleagues, a contributory pension scheme and excellent free lunches. Staff are encouraged to make use of the on-site gym facilities and open-air swimming pool, during the summer months, alongside the opportunity to make the most of our riverside location.
Please visit our website to learn more about the College, our community, and our values.
A candidate pack together with an application form are available from www.shiplake.org.uk/vacancies
Day and boarding school for ages 11-18, fully co-educational from 2023
HMC, The Society of Heads, BSA
Closing date: 10am Tuesday 20 February 2024
Interviews will be held as soon as possible.
Shiplake College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Shiplake College is also committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
