Gardener 2 (Greenbank)

Job Category : General Industrial Location : Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Hours Per Week : 36.00 Start Date : Immediate start Start Time : 08:00 End Time : 16:30 Salary: £12.59 Grounds Maintenance section seasonal requirements Main Purpose of Post/Job Summary The post holder will be required to work in all weather conditions and as a team member contributing to the maintenance of the full range of the Council’s parks, gardens and open spaces as appropriate. Duties and Responsibilities Undertake work in public parks, playing fields, landscaped areas and similar open spaces, i.e. general maintenance of these areas eg grass cutting, hedge trimming, sweeping, hoeing, raking, edging, removal of litter and rubbish, constructional labouring work, erection and dismantling of sports and other equipment, cleaning eg Council buildings such as changing rooms and toilets Patrol and attendance activities, collection and issuing of fees and tickets and maintenance of orderly conduct by the public to ensure Council bylaws are complied with. Horticultural operations eg planting, pruning, seeding and turfing and grounds maintenance eg basic setting out and marking of sports areas, spiking, scarifying, top dressing and fertilising and maintenance of Council’s tennis courts. Assistance to higher graded gardeners in more skilled tasks, which includes planning seasonal works, assistance with propagation and nursery care of plants, site preparation and construction. Carry out driving duties as instructed by the Line Manager. Driving duties to include: driving and responsibility for allocated vehicles i.e. vehicle checks (eg oil and water checks), required routine maintenance and cleaning, transportation of goods, equipment and personnel, assisting in the loading and unloading of vehicles using mechanical aids where appropriate, completing of associated paperwork and familiarity in the use of telecommunications equipment in accordance with Road traffic legislation. Operate and control various grounds machinery and hand tools as allocated by Team Leader/Supervisor, ensuring staff and public safety is adhered to. Ensure machinery is not damaged or lost. Attend Court to represent Newry, Mourne and Down District Council as and when required. Assist in ordering and maintaining stock and equipment, through their relevant Team leader and Line Manager. Prepare parks for opening and closing as a key holder to Council parks as and when requested, which also includes advising the Leisure Department on the availability of playing facilities. Liaise with members of public and deal with all enquiries in appropriate manner, in accordance with Council policies. Where the Post Holder is in possession of a current PA1-PA6 spraying qualification they will carry out spraying operations and maintain all necessary records in compliance with COSHH Regulations. Education / Qualifications ⦁ NVQ Level 1 Horticulture AND a minimum of 12 months relevant experience to include the use of commercial grounds maintenance machinery. Examples: Strimmers, walk behind or ride on mowers, leaf blowers, hedge cutters and other hand tools OR ⦁ In lieu of qualification, a minimum of 2 years relevant experience to include the use of commercial grounds maintenance machinery. Examples: Strimmers, walk behind or ride on mowers, leaf blowers, hedge cutters and other hand tools ⦁ Current category B driving licence Experience ⦁ Experience of working with grounds maintenance equipment while in the presence of members of the public and / or traffic. ⦁ Experience of keeping written records for operational issues eg equipment defect