Role: Grounds Person

Rate of Pay: £10.60 per hour

Location: Newtownabbey

Hours: 37hrs

Duration: Temporary

Main duties/Responsibilities:

• Driving, operating and maintaining a range of mechanical/electrical equipment and machinery associated with the provision of a grounds maintenance service in a commercial/contractor environment. This will include rotovators, chain saws, grass-cutters, hedge trimmers, strimmer's, push mowers, ride-on mowers and tractor mounted flail hedge-cutters etc.
• Using a range of handheld equipment and tools associated with the provision of a grounds maintenance service. This will include secateurs, hedge trimmers, rollers, spades, forks, and spraying equipment among others.
• The cutting and edging of hedges and grass using a range of equipment, both handheld and mechanical/electrical.
• The establishing and maintenance of shrub beds and grassed areas including reclaiming, fencing-off, ground planning preparation, removal of dead trees, planting trees shrubs and flower bulbs, fixing tree guards, staking, mulching, grading, reseeding, rolling and watering as required.
• To clean and lift litter and larger debris from hard areas, shrub beds, rough grass, water ways and shop areas (as required). This will include the removal of such things as fly-tipping material, building rubble, doors, cupboards, cookers, items of household furniture and bonfire debris. Therefore, it will require an ability to physically deal with this type of rubbish.
• The spraying of shrub beds, tree bases and hard areas with a range of chemicals, pesticides and weed killers if you have the proper certificates.
• The loading/unloading of all equipment, materials and waste as required.
• The execution of running repairs and minor maintenance on equipment and machinery including, for example, the sharpening, adjusting and renewal of blades as required, etc.
• The post holder must carry out all duties associated with the post with due regard to the health and safety of colleagues and members of the public. Where necessary signs must be displayed in work areas warning of dangers. Reporting potential Public Liability Claims (PLICs) hazards to the District Office for repair.
• Any other duties as required. Training will be provided where necessary.

Essential Criteria:

1. Have a minimum of one year's relevant* experience working in a grounds maintenance environment and / or in the use of commercial mowers / tractors / grounds machinery.

*Relevant experience will be interpreted as working as a groundsperson in a commercial/industrial/agricultural environment

2. Can demonstrate practical knowledge and understanding of current Health and Safety requirements and legislation in a maintenance/repair environment.
3. Can demonstrate (Assessed at Interview):

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Strong customer focus
• Accurate record keeping and attention to detail

Candidates may also be assessed against the relevant section of the NIHE Behavioural Framework

4. A full current driving licence which includes B+E or willing to obtain within 3 months of commencement.

Desirable Criteria

1. Have a minimum of three year's relevant* experience working in a grounds maintenance environment and / or in the use of commercial mowers / tractors / grounds machinery.

*Relevant experience will be interpreted as working as a groundsperson in a commercial/industrial/agricultural environment

2. Hold a NPTC / NVQ Level 2 in Horticulture or equivalent

3. Hold a spraying certificate i.e. PA1, safe handling of pesticides, or PA6A, hand held application
4. A full current driving licence which includes B+E / C1E licence category.

Candidates must be Access NI cleared prior to taking up appointment.

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To be shortlisted for this role all applicants MUST meet the essential criteria. If you are interested please upload your CV to the link provided, and Jamie Leetch will be in contact to confirm if you have been shortlisted.

Successful candidates may need to apply for an Access NI Certificate with Staffline regardless if you already have a valid certificate.