Grounds Supervisor

**About us**

Leeds Castle is a stunning, 900-year-old moated castle, set in 500 acres of Grade II listed parkland, situated in the beautiful Kent countryside. The Castle has been open to the public through the Leeds Castle Foundation since 1974 and continues her story as a glamorous retreat and popular visitor attraction.

**PURPOSE**

To supervise work of Grounds Team, with responsibility for excellent presentation & effective management of Grade II* listed parkland, Woodland Gardens, pastureland, woodlands & other areas of the Estate.

Responsible for maintenance of waterways through estate, maintenance of grassed areas & improvement of habitats to support flora & fauna.

Ensure all work carried out safely & proactively by direct team or through careful oversight of contractors.

To provide strong support to Events & Operations work programmes.

Work with volunteers & community engagement initiatives.

Ø Maintain high standards of presentation for the grounds of Leeds Castle, including lawns, hard landscaping, Woodland Gardens and wider managed estate land & woodland.

Ø Plan & deliver programmes of planned & reactive maintenance, ordering materials, briefing contractors, utilising resources efficiently, minimising impact on visitors & hospitality guests.

Ø Manage resources effectively and within budgets set, obtaining quotations, ordering materials, managing stock, ensuring best value for the charity’s money, ensuring that equipment is well cared for, to extend life of assets.

Ø Provide timely & effective logistics & operational support for Events & Day Visitor Operations teams to facilitate major events & visitor facing activity.

Ø Ensure that climate resilience & sustainability underpins all grounds management decisions.

Ø Manage Grounds volunteers (ongoing and corporate groups), ensuring clear workplan & good communications & morale.

Ø Work with Falconry & Wildlife Manager to improve habitat for the benefit of flora & fauna.

Ø Identify & manage risks in the grounds, including tree safety, high winds inspections, plant health, biosecurity & environmental risks.

Ø Work in line with Health & Safety requirements, ensuring all legal requirements (e.g. COSHH) are adhered to. Address potential hazards, incidents or near misses to employees, volunteers, contractors or visitors, including breaches of safe working practice, to ensure that all contractors work in a manner compatible with public safety, to clear RAMS.

Ø Liaise with farm tenant, shepherdess, and service delivery partners as required.

Ø Manage Grounds team, ensuring clear task allocation, two-way feedback & annual performance reviews. Ensure training needs are identified & addressed.

Ø Manage waterways across the estate, including controlling water levels & sluices, liaising with Environment Agency as needed.

Ø Manage on site bins for tenants & Castle Operations.

Ø Play a positive and proactive part in the success of the Gardens & Grounds team & wider Leeds Castle team, working collaboratively and across different areas as needed.

Ø To be fully conversant with Leeds Castle Policies, Employee Handbook, Health and Safety at Work, Fire and Emergency Procedures.
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**SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE required**

**KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS**

**Knowledge - Essential**
- Minimum NVQ Level 2 qualification.
- Good knowledge of Health & Safety/legal compliance related to grounds work.
- Good understanding of nature conservation & biodiversity.

**Knowledge - Desirable**
- Understanding of requirements and complexities of working in heritage environment & listed landscapes with extensive public usage.

**Experience - Essential**
- Operating & Caring for Machinery (Chainsaws, Tractors, Strimmers, Mowers)
- Lawn care, planting schemes, tree surgery, woodland & waterways management.
- Budget management.
- Planning & delivering proactive & reactive programmes of work.
- Proven supervisory skills.
- Habitat & biodiversity management.
- Working with volunteers.

**Experience - Desirable**
- Working in a listed landscape/heritage environment.

**Skills - Essential**
- Computer literate, with Microsoft skills
- Ability to work on own initiative, prioritising workload according to weather conditions and scheduled commitments, including the supporting of other department projects.
- Good attention to detail and pride in workmanship.
- Good communication skills, with staff, volunteers, tenants, local community.
- Strong team player, willing to support others & the needs of the business.
- Adaptable to surroundings and business demands

Leeds Castle operates 24/7, 364 days a year. The postholder should therefore expect occasional weekend and Bank Holiday working when business requirements dictate.

Pay: £28,000.00-£30,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Bereavement leave
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leav