Apprentice Sports Field Grounds Person
(St Benedict’s School)

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Undertake Level 2 Sports Turf Operative qualification through supported distant learning and on the job training and assessment.
• Undertaking the routine grounds preparation, maintenance, and upkeep of all playing surfaces, both grass and artificial, as directed by the Head Groundsmen.
• Involved in the preparation, to the highest standard of the Sports Field pitches.
• Creating, marking out and setting up playing surfaces.
• Maintaining lawns and landscape areas.
• Maintaining an awareness of the Health and Safety Regulations in your areas of responsibility.
• Carrying out safe working practices at all times.
• Machinery, equipment, and vehicle operation in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions and Health and Safety regulations.
• Informing the Head Groundsmen of any breakdowns or defects to equipment or machinery.
• Maintaining the cleanliness of the school grounds and work areas.
• Supporting the efficient use of resources.
• Assisting on occasions with traffic management, gate supervision, the control of car parking and the smooth running of major events.
• Assisting with the movement of equipment and materials, their installation around the school, and carrying out any tasks deemed necessary to the smooth running of the school.
• Work at either the main school or Sports Field sites.
• Carrying out such other similar and related duties as may be required by Head Groundsman, Groundsman or senior staff.

Personal responsibilities: 

To carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post, in accordance with the School’s Health and Safety Policy and relevant Health and Safety Legislation.

St Benedict’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young and elderly people in their care and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Performance Standards:

To ensure that all services within the areas of responsibility are provided in accordance with the school’s commitment to high quality service provision.

This job description will be reviewed annually and may be subject to amendment or modification at any time after consultation with the post holder.  It is not a comprehensive statement of procedures and tasks but sets out the main expectations of the school in relation to the post holder’s professional responsibilities and duties.

Desired Skills and Qualities:

• Be highly motivated and ambitious
• Be reliable and enthusiastic
• A desiring to achieve the highest standards
• Work independently but also as part of a team
• Always adhere to Health and Safety guidelines
• Have a confirmed place on an approved Grounds maintenance course (to be arranged on application).
• Genuine interest in sports ground maintenance

Desired Qualifications:

• GCSE’s, or equivalents in maths and English are desired but not essential
• Driving Licence is desired.

Future prospects

Conditions of Service:

This position is offered as a full-time, full-year fixed-term contract for the duration of Apprenticeship Course (2 years).

On the completion of the course, you will receive an intermediate qualification as a Level 2 Sports Turf Operative. Failure to meet the course requirements will result in the termination of the apprenticeship and employment with St Benedict’s School.

The Apprentice Grounds person will work 5 days per week Monday to Friday with the occasional Saturday.  The hours are 40 hours per week with a 1hr unpaid lunch break. There will be an occasional requirement for flexibility with the start and finishing times to meet the needs of the department or for school events throughout the year.  Where additional hours are required, you will be given time off in lieu, and in exceptional circumstances, a claim for overtime must be approved in advance and will then be paid on submission of an authorised timesheet. Any changes to your working hours will be mutually agreed in advance with your line manager.  

We welcome applications from all parts of our community as we aspire to attract staff that match the social and cultural diversity of our student intake.

Applications will be reviewed daily, and we invite interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

As a result of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, employers now must verify that new recruits who are not British Nationals are eligible to work in this country.  Therefore, any applicant who is offered an interview will be asked to provide official documentation to verify their ID, address and right to work in the UK.  It is also normal practice for the school to ask for original qualifications and professional membership documents as detailed on their application.