Garden and Grounds Operative

**Protection of Children and Young Persons**

**Background to the Post**

The College requires a Gardener/Grounds person to work at our college site based at Pershore. A national centre for horticulture situated on a 60 acre site near Evesham, Pershore College offers the very best in land based learning.

It is anticipated that the Gardener/Grounds person will spend equal amounts of time on each of these sites developing and maintaining the grasslands and ornamental plantings.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- To assist in maintaining the grounds to the college standard.
- To assist in maintaining shrubberies, rose beds, bedding schemes and other ornamental areas which will include hand weeding, hoeing, digging, forking, raking and edging.
- To assist in pruning of shrubs, roses, perennials and trees under the direction of the Head Gardener.
- To assist in the planting of trees, shrubs and ornamental bedding and to ensure their survival.
- To use various types of mechanical equipment, under direction from the Head Gardener i.e. pedestrian lawn mowers, hedge cutters, strimmer’s etc. and to carry out daily maintenance checks, such as oil levels and cutter adjustments.
- To assist in all forms of sport maintenance including;
- The erection and dismantling of goalposts
- Initial marking football, rugby, hockey pitches
- Over marking with dry powder, wet line aerosol paint additives
- End of season renovations
- Drag matting /brushing artificial surfaces
- To assist in the installation and maintenance of interior planting.
- To assist in all forms of hard landscaping including; fencing, slabbing, decking, terracing and gravelling.
- To assist in litter picking as and when the need arises.

The list of duties is not exhaustive but outlines the main features of the post at appointment and may vary as the job evolves without affecting the nature of the duties or the responsibility level.

**Health and Safety**
To ensure a safe working environment for colleagues, students, and visitors in line with the HASAW Act and the College Health and Safety Policy.

**Safeguarding**
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults for whom you are responsible and whom you come into contact with.

The list of duties is not exhaustive but outlines the main features of the post at appointment and may vary as the job evolves without affecting the nature of the duties or the responsibility level.

**Annual Leave**
The College offers a generous annual leave entitlement to support staff, commencing with 25 days rising to 28 days after 5 years’ service, pro rata per annum plus 8 statutory days (Public & bank Holidays) and College closure days (all pro rata for part time posts).

**Hours of Work**
The post holder will be expected to work such hours as are necessary for the proper performance of their duties and responsibilities, normally 37 hours per week.

**Place of work**
The principal place of work will be the College’s premises based at Pershore College. However, the post holder will be required to work on either a temporary or an indefinite basis at any premises at which we may provide services.

**PERSON SPECIFICATION**

Physical Make-up

**Essential Attainments**
- A recognised horticultural qualification.
- Experience of grass mowing with a range of machinery and a good understanding of its uses.
- A current clean driving licence and own transport.

**Desirable Attainments**:

- FEPA Spraying Certificates (PA1 + PA6).
- A working knowledge of plant species, their identification and appropriate maintenance.
- The ability to use own initiative and work without constant supervision.

**Essential Skills and Knowledge**:

- To be flexible in regards to working a shift pattern and versatile.
- Have an enthusiastic approach.
- To be able to demonstrate high standards of safe practice.
- Work well as part of a team. Show tact and diplomacy in dealing with Staff and students.
- Ability to demonstrate an understandingnd knowledge of Equality & Diversity.
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and Vulnerable adults.
- Ability to demonstrate behaviours which Support the Core Values of the College.

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

**Salary**: £20,225.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Cycle to work scheme
- Gym membership
- On-site parking

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- PERSHORE: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: One location