Grounds Person

Job Summary: PARISH GROUNDS PERSON

**Job Purpose**: Day to day maintenance of Communal Environmental ‘Green Spaced’ areas, decorative landscaped areas and green recreational areas under the control and jurisdiction of the Parish Council. Specification including grass cutting, strimming, edging, planting, weeding, spraying and clearance of Leaves and Litter.

**Main Duties/Responsibilities: Key Tasks**
- To carry out all duties pursuant to the maintenance of landscaped areas, borders, playing fields, tubs, baskets, shrubbery etc. delivering a maintenance programme that contributes both to best practice and excellent service delivery.
- During Summer/Watering season will ensure display, beds, baskets & Tubs are routinely watered in accord with an agreed weekly schedule, particularly covering weekends as required. Some heavy lifting, carrying and climbing of ladders is necessary to fulfil the duties.
- To work effectively with the ‘Lengthsman’, Council colleagues/team members, Bloomin’ Warton volunteer members and external partners, to meet the standards required within the Parish Council policy.
- To ensure safe effective use of equipment including portable appliances, hand tools, plant and machinery. Reporting any damage or maintenance issues. Use of the Parish Council vehicle and Ride on Mower will be a routine, and essential to carrying out these tasks, a current full British Driving Licence which covers the respective class of vehicles is a necessary criterion.
- To report directly to the Parish Council Clerk in relation to the delivery of the day-to-day ground’s maintenance provision in accord with the outlined overall Job purpose. Reporting graffiti, vandalism, repairs and defects in the external communal areas appropriately.
- To provide a Parish Council representation in all dealings and interactions with the community concerning these duties.
- Work Safely with herbicides/pesticides in accordance with regulations.
- To provide cover for the Lengthsman’s weekly waste litter duties during any absence.
- Any other duties commensurate with the post.

The Post holder will be expected:

- To adopt a flexible approach to changing patterns of work and undertake such other reasonable duties as are consistent with the job purpose.
- Promote best practise in meeting the requirements of Health and Safety legislation and Council Policy, and comply with other relevant statutory legislation.
- Attend weekly or designated briefings contributing updates for the attention of colleagues and Councillors.
- Be willing and enthusiastic in undertaking such necessary training courses in the advancement of the role and to meet necessary legislative training to improve Safety, Performance and Initiative.
- Carry out duties in accordance with the Councils equality and diversity policy

**Essential Criteria.**
- **The applicant must hold a full British driving licence.**
- **Job or educational experience working in a horticultural/agricultural environment.**

**Desirable Criteria.**
- **City and Guilds Certificate/Diploma, or equivalent, (level 3 Horticulture, Level 2 if working toward occupational specialism level 3). Or equivalent.**

**Desired/Other Skills/Bonuses.**

Existing Qualification/Certificates in use of machinery, portable appliances applicable to the role, First Aid certificate or other relevant qualifications.

**Benefits**
- **Starting pay - £**_**26,000 per annum.** _- _Paid Monthly

Overtime : _Paid at ordinary rate_

Pension Scheme. National Employment Savings Trust - Work Place Pension Scheme
- In accordance with legislative requirements._

Holiday Pay - Sickness Absence: _In accord with National Guide Lines _
- Planned Holidays & Absences to be agreed in advance, short notice - reasonable notice where possible to line supervisor or other nominated Council Member._
- Sickness Absence: Notification must be verbally communicated as soon as practicably possible to line manager or other nominated Council Member._

Bank Holidays
- Working of Bank Holidays is not normally required but if employees choose to the Parish Council does not offer an enhanced rate of pay for bank holidays worked. If required by the exigencies of the job a suitable lieu days compensation would be granted._

**Working Day for the Parish Council**

The start and finish times are both variable and flexible given the nature of the role, but early starts would not be uncommon in the Spring and Summer seasons, to facilitate access and movement at various sites in the Village/Parish. It is not envisaged the role would entail any late evening or night time cover except in an emergency.

During watering season, it is expected that Weekends will be worked in accord with the agreed watering schedule where alternative cover may be negotiable.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From £26,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Free parking
- On-site parking

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability

**Experience**:

- Gro