Contract type: Permanent – Full Time

Hours of work: 40 hrs per week / 5 days out of 7

About the role:

To assist in maintaining a quality racing surface all year round. Maintenance of the outside areas to the highest possible standard of presentation. To assist in the maintenance of buildings and equipment as well as assisting in the operational aspects of Racedays and Events.

Key responsibilities for the role will include:

This is a challenging yet rewarding role for a motivated individual. Although part of a team, working with one’s own initiative is vital in delivering the responsibilities within this role.
• Under the direction of the Head Groundsperson, carry out a maintenance programme for the course. The work entails working outside in changing and often inclement weather conditions and can be physically demanding.
• To assist in preparing the course for racing – to include preparation and reinstatement of the course before, after and during racing, this to include; use of tractors, machinery and other maintenance equipment as required.
• To assist in cleaning out the stable after a race meeting.
• Maintain all lawn and garden areas and parade rings with particular attention to raceday and event presentation.
• General maintenance of external areas, to include car parks, tracks, tarmac areas and horsebox park.
• Ensure all external areas are free from weeds, rubbish and leaves.
• You are required to use various gardening, agricultural equipment, machinery, vehicles and chemicals in the process of carrying out your duties.
• Abide by all regulations and safe working practices in accordance with current legislation and as detailed in the Company’s Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
• Due to the nature of this role, working unsocial hours will be a frequent occurrence, including late evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays.
• Work well in a team and have initiative to work by yourself.
• Working closely with ED / Clerk of Course and other officials such as BHA.

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties. The racecourse business is a dynamic and challenging environment and on occasion you will be required to assist in duties outside of those detailed in this job description and therefore a flexible approach is required.

Skills and Qualities:

• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent attendance record
• Flexible approach to working
• Works well under pressure
• Organised
• Good Communication Skills
• Enjoy outdoor working
• Full & Clean UK driving licence

Other:

This role is part of the grounds team at the racecourse and you will be expected to participate in any grounds team meetings relating to all elements of the operational delivery of the racecourse and associated events.

To comply with all Health and Safety procedures associated with the department at all times. This relates to:

• Standards and procedures of correct working practices
• The completion of risk assessments
• COSHH regulations
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment

To control wastage and operate according to the Companies environment policy with regard to:

• product control and waste minimisation
• proper care and maintenance of equipment to prolong its life
• using towels in appropriate quantity to minimise unnecessary laundering
• proper separation and disposal of cardboard, paper and glass in recycling bins
• minimising energy wastage by switching off unused lights, heating, PCs and equipment

To be an ambassador for ARC and for our site, taking personal responsibility for finding out about our product and services, and at all times striving to represent the Company in the most professional, courteous and efficient manner possible.

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties, and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the organisation and the overall business objectives of the organisation

Apply here

Job Title: Groundsperson

Date: July 2021
Department: Estates
Reports To: Senior Groundsperson
Responsible For: N/A

Purpose of the Position:

The preparation and maintenance of Sports Playing Surfaces to a high standard to include cricket, athletics, tennis, rounders, rugby, football, hockey and lacrosse, as well as general estate duties as directed by the Senior Groundsperson

Departmental Information

The Grounds Department at Wellington are responsible for maintaining 33 hectares/81 acres of sports playing surfaces ranging from natural turf to synthetic grass and hard porous areas. This includes 14 winter pitches, and 2 hockey pitches on sand dressed artificial turf, hard porous netball courts and grass practice grids during the winter. There are also 9 cricket squares, 14 grass cricket practice nets, 14 synthetic grass practice cricket nets, a 4 lane 400m grass running track and throwing areas, rounders pitches and tennis courts on both synthetic grass and hard porous surfaces. We are equipped with well-maintained machinery to enable us to undertake our pitch preparation and repairs.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Cricket pitch preparation and maintenance; mowing, scarifying, rolling, marking and autumn renovation and ensuring pitches are protected from inclement weather.
• All sports surface preparation including grass, hardstanding and artificial turf
• Winter sports pitch preparation and maintenance to include sand dressed artificial sports surfaces
• Mowing, aeration, scarifying and fertilising; tractor mounted and pedestrian machinery
• Line marking; Initial setting out and mark and weekly over marking
• Leaf clearing, litter picking and debris clearance
• Strimming and pedestrian rotary mowing.
• Goal post erection/dismantling, maintenance and storage.
• Snow clearing and salt spreading.
• Roping off and preparing for events.
• To ensure all tasks are carried out safely and effectively with due regard to Health and Safety for yourself, staff, pupils and visitors as directed by the Head of Grounds
• To operate machinery in a safe and effective manner in accordance with the operator’s manuals with due regard to Health and Safety instructions and Risk Assessments
• To clean and maintain machinery and equipment to maintain good working order
• Maintaining the cleanliness and tidiness of the Grounds storage shed and workshop

Person Specification

Education Attainment

Good basic education

Professional Qualifications

Previous groundsmanship experience. The Grounds and Garden Manager may from time to time, require the Groundsperson to undergo training relative to their role or related functions.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential 

Previous groundsmanship experience.

Experience of driving a tractor and machinery used to prepare and maintain sport turf.

Full and valid UK driving licence

Desirable

NVQ Level 2 sports turf (or equivalent)

PA1 and PA6A pesticide application certificates.

Manual Handling Training.

GMA/ pitchcare training.

Experience of working on cricket squares with dedication to maintaining high standards in this area.

Skills and Personal Qualities

Excellent communication skills to enable effective dialogue with colleagues, staff, visitors and where applicable, pupils.

Organised and self-motivated, with a proven record for meeting targets and deadlines.

Able to perform well and remain professional whilst under pressure.

The ability to work well as part of a team and able to work unsupervised.

Tactful and discreet, whilst mindful of observing Safeguarding and professional standards.

Displays a smart and professional appearance, representing the College in a positive manner.

Well-developed problem-solving skills.

Enthusiastic, with an eagerness to learn new skills and a commitment to personal continuous professional development.

High level of accuracy and attention to detail/ pride in work

Self-motivated.

Adaptable and flexible with working patterns when required/willingness to work additional hours as required.

Committed to contributing towards the College community.

Reasonable physical fitness.

Reliable, keen and resilient.

Able to work efficiently and responsibly.

To undertake any other duties as reasonably requested by the Grounds and Gardens Manager and / or Senior Groundsperson

Essential Values, Behaviours and Attitudes

All employees are expected to actively promote and demonstrate the five core values of the College:

• Kindness
• Integrity
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Courage

In addition, the College expects all staff to show ambition and display curiosity both personally and professionally.

The College reserves the right to vary or amend the duties and responsibilities of the post holder at any time according to the needs of the College business.

In exceptional circumstances, the Post holder will be required to undertake other duties and responsibilities of a similar post in order to support workload peaks, skill shortages, to ensure priorities are met. This will be sensitive to available resources and individual skills and will be generally in the same area.

The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All employees are required to ensure that all duties and responsibilities are discharged in accordance with the College Health and Safety Policy. They should take reasonable care for their own Health and Safety and that of others who may be affected by what they do or do not do. Staff should correctly use work items provided by the College, including personal protective equipment in accordance with training and instruction