ACS International School Cobham is seeking a Grounds Operative to work as a part of the team to ensure that the school grounds and gardens are maintained to a high standard. We are particularly seeking someone with a specialism in working on sports pitches for this role.
ACS in an independent international day and boarding school based in Cobham, catering for 1,300 students ages 2 – 18. ACS has 128 acres, including landscaped gardens, woodlands and sports pitches/areas.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Undertaking routine grounds maintenance work of playing surfaces and landscapes as detailed in work schedules, job tickets or as directed by manager
- Undertaking all preparatory and cultivation work to maintain safe quality playing surfaces
Setting up sports pitches or amenity surfaces, maintaining the surrounding areas and carry out general duties - Undertaking minor repair and landscaping work
- Ensure irrigation and drainage systems are maintained
- The safe operation of equipment and machinery used in grounds maintenance
Inform the manager or where appropriate, take corrective action on mechanical defects or breakdown of equipment - Executing duties in the correct manner and completing the assigned workload
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with managers, colleagues, and end users
- Ensuring the work area is kept clean, tidy, and secure at all times
- Assisting in the upkeep of hedgerows and specimen trees
- Attending meetings, seminars and courses as required by the Head Groundsman
- To participate with other team members and the Grounds Manager to provide ideas and plans for future visual enhancements
- To undertake all appropriate Risk Assessments associated with their tasks
- To be responsible for ensuring that all tasks are undertaken in a safe manner and comply with the ACS Health and Safety guidelines
- To ensure all work is carried out in a cost effective and competent manner to the required standard
- To effectively communication with all internal and external customers to ensure that tasks cause minimal disruption to the normal activities of the school
- To carry out visual inspection only of power machinery and portable equipment prior to use. Faults should be reported immediately to the Grounds Supervisor
- To ensure that adequate provision of warning notices is provided when carrying out cutting/spraying operations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
- Experience with managing sports pitches is essential
- Trade qualified person trained to City & Guilds levels or equivalent
- Basic knowledge of various ground maintenance procedures required
- Ability to work as part of a team, as well as work autonomously
- Good customer service skills in dealing with a wide range of individuals at varying levels
- Be a good communicator.
WORKING HOURS:
This is a full time, permanent, non term time role working Monday to Friday from 7am-3pm for 35 hours per week.
Start date: 1st October 2024
SAFEGUARDING:
ACS is committed to inclusion across race, gender, faith, identity, and abilities. We believe that diversity helps us to fulfil our purpose, realise our vision and exemplify our values. ACS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and, as an employee of ACS, you are expected to share this commitment. This position is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
