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VACANCY - EXPERIENCED GROUNDSPERSON

A vacancy has arisen for an experienced Groundsperson to assist in maintaining the sports facilities at the Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields on Wimbledon & Putney Commons. The Playing Fields and Pavilion are home to rugby, football and other sports teams. A number of local schools have agreements to use the facilities. The successful applicant will work as part of a small team. The role involves preparing and maintaining the sports facilities (which include natural turf and synthetic surfaces) as well as general upkeep of the pavilion and surrounding areas.

Essential requirements include:

• A minimum of two years’ experience of working in a similar role
• Experience of operating sports turf machinery, including ride-on mowers
• Ability to demonstrate a modern approach to sports turf preparation and maintenance.
• Experience of setting out and marking lines – including use of a Beamrider
• Sound understanding of Health and Safety legislation, standards and procedures
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Good team worker
• Positive, professional attitude
• Full driving licence

Desirable:

• Appropriate qualifications relevant to the role e.g. NVQ or Diploma in Sports Turf Management
• Knowledge of basic maintenance of sports turf machinery
• Good general DIY skills
• Experience of maintaining artificial cricket surfaces

Hours: 40 hours per week. Post holder required to work one weekend in three during the football/rugby season and occasional weekends as required during the remainder of the year.

Job Context

The first recognised formation of Wimbledon and Putney Commons arose when Earl Spencer came to terms with residents in drawing up the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act which received Royal Assent in 1871. This Act conveyed interest in the Commons to a body of Conservators (5 elected and 3 appointed) who were charged with keeping the Commons open to the public with natural aspects preserved. The Commons are to this day overseen by this Board of eight Conservators who are responsible for the management of the Commons. The Commons are a registered charity.

The Commons are an area of calm and tranquillity in the midst of the urban sprawls of Wimbledon, Putney and Kingston-upon-Thames in South West London. The Commons comprise about 460 hectares (1,140 acres) of countryside split between Wimbledon Common, Putney Heath and Putney Lower Common. Putney Lower Common is separated from the rest of the Common by about 1.5 miles. Approximately 360 hectares (900 acres) of the Commons are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

The Commons consist of woodland, scrubland, heathland, and mown recreation areas and there are also nine ponds. They are the home to a wide variety of bird, animal and plant life. Being an unfenced Common, the whole area is open to the public 24 hours a day throughout the year. On an average weekend there can be some 10,000 visitors and users of the Commons.

Within the Commons there is an 18-hole Golf Course (played over by two Clubs), cricket pitches, 16 miles of horse rides and the Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields covering 20 hectares (48 acres), providing soccer and rugby pitches in winter and facilities for athletics in the summer. There is a large pavilion containing 16 changing rooms with showers and toilets.

Since 1st April 1991, the Commons have been largely financed by means of a levy on the Boroughs of Wandsworth, Merton and Kingston in a proportion relevant to the number of "D" Band properties in each Borough within 3/4 mile of the Commons or in the old Parish of Putney. The Boroughs pass on this levy by way of an addition to the Council Tax on properties in the area

Further information can be found at www.wpcc.org.uk

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title

Groundsperson

Responsible to

Grounds Manager

Responsible for

Facility users

Purpose of Post

To work as part of the Grounds Maintenance Team, helping to ensure (a) that the sports pitches and surrounding land are maintained to a high standard and (b) the safety of users of the Playing Fields and Pavilion. To undertake the work required to ensure (as far as reasonably possible) that the sports pitches are prepared and in good condition for the uses for which they have been booked.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Grounds Maintenance

• Carry out grounds maintenance/management work to ensure that the sports pitches are maintained to a high standard and in line with best practice, including mowing and turf management, line marking, drainage, spraying, installation of goal posts etc.
• Maintain the REMPF in a clean and tidy condition at all times, including emptying litter bins, picking up general litter and removal of fly tipping.
• Working with the Maintenance Team where necessary, assist with the installation, maintenance and repair of bins, seats, signs and other site fixtures.
• Undertake basic maintenance on vehicles, machinery and equipment being operated by the Grounds Maintenance Team are maintained (a) in line with manufacturers’ specifications and (b) in a safe condition.
• Undertake basic maintenance and repairs to the Pavilion and surrounds e.g. painting, fence maintenance.
• In the absence of the Grounds Manager, assist with the supervision of contractors undertaking grounds maintenance work and work to the Pavilion.

Visitor Engagement

• To be a point of contact for users of the REMPF in order to provide information, deal with queries and respond to requests.
• Where appropriate, support events and other activities that directly engage the public in the management of the site.

Health & Safety/Equalities

• Follow organisational safety procedures and use safe working practices specifically with regard to the wearing of correct Personal Protective Equipment, and adherence to COSHH and Risk Assessments, reporting accidents and near misses to line manager.
• Actively seek to implement the organisations Occupational Health and Safety Policy in relation to the duties of the post, and at all times give due regard to the health and safety of both themselves and others when carrying out their duties.
• Assist with ensuring that contractors undertaking grounds maintenance work are working in line with Risk Assessments, method statements and other agreed safety procedures, reporting any concerns to the Grounds Manager.
• Deal with minor byelaw infringements on the Playing Fields and report any serious infringements for action by the Keepers.
• Actively seek to implement Equal Opportunity’s and the objective to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the duties of the post.

General

• Maintain an up to date knowledge of sports pitch/grounds maintenance and undertake training as required.
• To undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested appropriate to the grade.

Please apply online

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £26,450.00-£29,191.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Weekend availability

Supplemental pay types:

• Performance bonus

Work Location: One location