Job Description

Brighton College Prep Handcross seeks to employ a full time Grounds Assistant. This is a key position within the school. The role demands flexibility and attention to detail together with energy and enthusiasm and the willingness to go the extra mile. The Grounds Assistant role encompasses all aspects of buildings maintenance tasks. It requires a close working relationship with the Head of Estates, the Bursar and other members of the Grounds team.

Key responsibilities:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

To undertake the range of tasks specified under the direction of the Senior Groundskeeper:

To care for the plants, shrubs and trees around site and ensure seasonal planting of bulbs and flowers to facilitate attractive grounds.

To undertake basic setting out, marking, and maintenance of sports areas as directed.

To assist the Estates team in their swimming pool management duties including a daily Health and Safety check on the pool water chemical levels and to ensure the pool area is safely secured. To sign the daily swimming pool log report and raise any concerns in a timely manner.

To undertake the Active IQ level 2 certificate in Pool and Plant Operations.

To maintain the golf greens and cricket pitches. To safely and competently operate and maintain strimmer's, hedgecutters, lawnmowers and other horticultural machinery, once suitable training has been completed. To maintain and safeguard such tools and machinery as are provided in a safe, and effective condition. Area maintenance to include leaf and litter clearance, hedge trimming, grass cutting, mulching, scrub clearance, weeding and general cleaning. To apply horticultural chemicals in a safe and controlled manner, using portable and mounted spray equipment, under the direction of the Senior Groundskeeper. To water and feed turf areas, including operation of irrigation systems where applicable.
To provide support to School events, through erection of tents and marquees, hard standings and protective fences, laying out and collecting furniture and litter bins. To assist with the safe building of the annual bonfire fund raising event and ensure area is fully roped off.

To ensure that the Maintenance Shed, greenhouse and storage area behind the Pre-Prep are kept in a clean, safe and orderly manner.

To assist with the disposal of tree litter and plant material around the site.

To assist with keeping all paths and drives clear of debris and mud and their general upkeep.

To assist with general maintenance tasks including but not limited to setting up tables and chairs for School requirements.

To assist with the clearance of snow and path gritting during periods of icy weather.

To assist with the upkeep of School animals on site to high welfare standards (including chickens, feral cats and any other School animals):

- to ensure the School animals are fed and given fresh water daily

- to ensure that the School animals are cleaned regularly to prevent smell, disease and vermin

- to ensure that the School animals on site are treated compassionately and to welfare standards

To be aware of and alert to the security of the School site and to approach any unidentified visitors to the School site in accordance with the School Access and Security and Visitors Policies.

To adhere to safeguarding policies at all times.

To participate in the departmental weekend overtime rota which is compulsory but not guaranteed for Open Days, Sports Day and bonfire duties, where applicable.

To undertake such other duties and training as the Senior Groundskeeper, Estates Staff or Bursar might reasonably expect.

To attend such personal development, safety, and technical skills and proficiency training as the school might consider appropriate to the position.

This outlines the duties for the time being for this post to indicate the level of commitment and responsibilities expected. It is not a comprehensive or exclusive list and duties may be varied from time to time, which does not change the general character of the job or the level of responsibility.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are 'spent' unless they are 'protected' under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

This is a 52-week a year position. The hours will be 42.5 hrs per week. The normal working hours are 8.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday, with half hour unpaid lunch break. You will be part of a weekend emergency duty rota in conjunction with the other members of the maintenance team. In addition there may be a requirement to work a small number of evening and weekend commitments. Overtime hours available

Holidays:

20 days per year plus public holidays, (holidays to be taken in conjunction with the maintenance team).

Other:

Lunch is provided free of charge during term time. Contributory pension scheme.

Application Process:

Applicants must complete an application form, obtainable by emailing HR@brightoncollegeprephandcross.co.uk at the school. Further details are on the schools website: https://www.brightoncollegeprephandcross.co.uk/

Applications to be received as soon as possible.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From 29,164.00 per year

Work Location: In person