Groundsperson

Mumbles Community Council is looking to appoint a reliable and conscientious grounds person to curate and maintain a range of open spaces, environmental assets and recreational facilities within the community including Langland Tennis Courts, the Skatepark, the Orchard, Jubilee Gardens and community allotments.

Undertaking light maintenance and gardening activities including weeding, pruning, planting, and propagating, promoting biodiversity, the post holder will ensure the facilities and pathways are kept free of debris and safe for public use and access.

Working closely with the Environmental Engagement and Sustainability Officer, you will advise on designs, suitable planting and maximising diversity across all the MCC managed green areas.

You will have a pleasant and friendly disposition and good interpersonal skills to engage with members of the public and volunteers to encourage and promote the community enjoyment of our green spaces and recreational facilities.

**Grounds Person**

**Hours**: 30 hours per week

**Salary**: £22,369 - £24,496 per annum pro-rata (£11.63 - £12.73 per hour).

**Reporting to**:The Clerk

**Location**: Community Based, reporting into the Community Office in the Ostreme Centre

**Main Purpose**

The primary function of the role is to curate and maintain open spaces and environmental assets and recreational facilities, such as the Skatepark, Underhill (excluding the pitches), Ostreme Gardens, Langland Tennis Courts, the Bowls Green (excluding the Green itself), Norton Nature Reserve and Orchard, the Community Allotment and Jubilee Gardens to a high standard. The postholder will work closely with the Environmental Engagement and Sustainability Officer to advise MCC on designs, suitable planting and maximising diversity across all the MCC managed green areas. Mumbles Community Council is committed to implementing environmentally sensitive and peat-free gardening / horticulture minimising the use of weed-killers and non-organic fertilisers.

**Main Duties**

1. To ensure that recreational and sporting facilities are maintained to a high standard with duties including:

- Sweeping and ensuring spaces are kept clear of litter, leaves or other debris.
- Maintenance of footpaths / walkways to enable pedestrian use, including disabled access
- Undertaking light general repairs and maintenance or escalating to the Clerk where specialist services are required.

2. To undertake gardening activities to maintain and improve green and garden spaces to include:

- Planting of bulbs, flowers, trees and shrubs and wild-flower areas.
- Cultivation - Digging, Hoeing, Raking, weeding and clearing invasive species with both manual and machine methods following organic and sustainable principles.
- Undertaking a range of plant propagation.
- Advising on suitable planting based on the locations, ground condition and potential for diversity for green spaces in the MCC area.

3. Care for and maintain the fruit trees and grounds of the Community Orchard, including undertaking annual pruning and shaping to support sustainable produce.

4. Clean and ensure regular maintenance and secure storage of kit, tools and machinery.

5. Ensure all items of personal protective equipment are kept secure, clean and serviceable.

6. To maintain a safe workspace at all times.

7. To engage with members of the community and supervise volunteers to promote and support the community enjoyment and participation in the sustainable use of green spaces and natural areas.

8. Carry out driving duties to check on facilities when required

9. Recommend to the EESO and Council any additional areas that are suitable for development into gardens, orchards, nature reserves etc.

10. Promote MCC's commitment to sustainable, organic and wildlife friendly green spaces.

11. To model high personal and professional standards in accordance with the MCC Code of Conduct, dealing with members of the public in a helpful, polite manner.

12. To operate within the framework of policies, procedures and guidelines as laid down and agreed by MCC to ensure the safe, inclusive and accessible delivery of services to the members the community.

Undertake such other duties and tasks appropriate to the grade and character of work as may reasonably be required. Therefore, the above list of responsibilities in this job description should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive.

**Job Specific Working Circumstances**

1.This role requires resilience with regards to working outdoors in all weather conditions

2. Required to work in different locations daily, therefore mobility and flexibility is essential.

3.Carry out physically demanding manual work which includes repetitive heavy lifting and labouring, use of hand tools, manual clearing of grounds

4.Use of potentially dangerous machinery, power tools and hand tools

5.Work in all types of terrain including slopes, banks, undulating ground.

6. Use manual equipment such as secateurs, shovels,