Grounds Maintenance General Operative

Grade/Salary: Scale 3 (SCP 7-8) £24,294-£24,702 per annum

Directorate: Environmental Services

Department: Estates

Reports To: Team Lead / Supervisor

Location: You will be based at either Ballymoney, Coleraine or Limavady Depot however when required you will be asked to work flexibly throughout all Council depots and facilities, ensuring that resources are deployed effectively and in order to respond to service priorities and to facilitate professional development.

Responsible for: The following functions and services, in accordance with the organisational structure and the staff employed to deliver these services.

General grounds maintenance including but not limited to:

·       Grass cutting (eg pitches, bowling greens, tennis courts, golf courses, parks and open spaces)

·       Cemetery duties

·       Nursery duties including summer and winter planting

·       Maintenance of parks and open spaces

·       Assisting other departments

Work pattern: 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday

Coleraine/Limavady

Monday – Thursday 8.00 am - 4.00 pm

Friday 8.00 am - 3.30 pm

Ballymoney

Monday – Thursday 8.00 am - 4.30 pm

Friday 8.00 am - 1.00 pm

By its nature the post will require flexible working, for example available evenings, weekends and holiday periods as required.

Tenure: There are seven permanent posts (4 Ballymoney, 1 Coleraine and 2 Limavady).

MAIN PURPOSE OF POST

1.          Undertake horticulture, gardening and general grounds maintenance works in Council facilities, public parks, sports grounds and similar open spaces, to the standards required.

2.          To present a courteous attitude at all times by assisting with the promotion of good working relationships between Council staff and members of the public. If and as required, deal with on-site complaints and queries or refer to your line manager as necessary.

3.          Ensure that the department complies with all statutory and legislative requirements by adhering to these requirements and working in accordance with good governance and health and safety requirements.

4.          Ensure that all responsibilities are carried out in a timely and effective manner and that general confidentiality is maintained in all areas relating to the work of the Council.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

5.          Undertake a comprehensive range of multi-skilled practical tasks associated with the daily maintenance of grounds, preparation and marking out of all sports/playing surfaces using appropriate methods and equipment. This will include (but is not confined to) labouring, trench digging, fencing, drainage work, loading / unloading / delivery of materials etc and maintaining good housekeeping.

6.          To give assistance, support and training within your remit to team members and others in performance of duties and responsibilities with an emphasis on Health and Safety. Includes wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, working at heights ensuring adherence to risk assessments, method statements and where necessary, completing dynamic on-the-job risk assessments.

7.          Assisting gardener/green-keeper in a range of horticultural activities.

8.          Cutting grass to specified standards in both sports and non-sports locations.

9.          Operate grounds maintenance machinery such as ride-on mowers, power tools, tractors and associated plant.

10.       Drive applicable Council vehicles including vans and lorries and other mechanical plant up to relevant C1 licence. Complete and maintain daily records sheets relative to the operation of the vehicle. Ensure the vehicle / plant is cleaned and maintained inside and outside as directed by the Team Leader.

11.       Carry out all general grounds tasks, including turf care, planting, shrub and tree pruning, removal of grass cuttings, leaves and litter etc.

12.       Undertake seeding, propagation, planting, mulching, tending and weeding of flower and shrub beds.

13.       Use, where appropriate, chemical weed control under direction, complying with manufacturers’ instructions and COSHH regulations.

14.       Undertake general maintenance to hard/soft landscaping, eg edging of paths and paved areas and replacement of bark.

15.       Erect, inspect, maintain, dismantle sports and play equipment, play park equipment including the movement of goal posts.

16.       Undertake constructional labouring work and the safe operation of a range of assorted tools and equipment, including, eg erection/repair of fencing and path laying.

17.       Ensure the safe use of machinery necessary to the performance of all work. Includes safe operation, daily / weekly operational checks (oil / water) and ensuring same are kept clean and serviceable.

18.       Assist Team Lead in completion of all necessary paperwork eg weekly timesheets; accident report forms, vehicle / plant log books, inspection records, work schedules, dynamic risk assessment, work schedules, chemical applications and vehicle / plant log books.

19.       Cemetery duties including: excavating, re-opening, exhuming, digging (mechanical / hand), attend committals, backfill and aftercare (sowing / turfing / grass cutting) of graves.

20.       Cleaning, litter picking and general housekeeping duties.

21.       As required, work flexibly with other works teams (outside of grounds maintenance) to ensure delivery of all Council services eg supporting delivery of Council events (including stewarding) and erection, inspections and minor repairs of festive lighting.

22.       Support other agencies in times of emergency eg filling, delivery and placing of sand bags in flooded areas or snow clearance from footpaths.

23.       Report all accidents and near misses which may occur and report all incidents of damage to Council property / equipment.

24.       In circumstances when littering is observed during the course of their duties pass the information to the Team Lead.

25.       Carry out duties in all weather conditions unless it is felt health and safety is being compromised.

GENERAL

26.       By its nature the post will require flexible working to meet the needs of the service. This will also include attendance at meetings/training courses / tool box talks and any relevant working groups.

27.       Act in accordance with the Code of Conduct for local Government employees.

28.       Comply with and actively promote the Council’s policies and procedures, including those relating to Fair employment, Equal Opportunities and Health, Safety and Wellbeing.

29.       Undertake the duties outlined above in a way which will enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the Council.

30.       Undertake any other duties as deemed appropriate to the achievement of the purpose and function of this post.

31.       Undertake the specific duties outlined above if appropriate training is given.

The list of duties/responsibilities must not be considered comprehensive nor exhaustive. They are simply a summary of the main duties/responsibilities that the post holder will be required to undertake. No Job Description can cover every issue that may arise within the post at various times and the post holder is expected to carry out other duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with those in this Job Description.

If the post holder has any form of disability, every effort will be made to supply all the necessary employment aids, equipment or adaptations to enable him/her to perform the full duties of the job. If, however, a certain task proves to be unachievable then job redesign will be given full consideration.