Apprentice Groundsperson

The school is seeking to appoint a Grounds Apprentice to assist with the day-to-day set up and maintenance of the School’s sports pitches and surrounding grounds. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with a keen interest in Sportsturf. You will join a friendly and professional team to learn more about Groundsmanship.

Requirements

• GCSE in English (grade 2-9/E-A*)
• GCSE in Maths (grade 2-9/E-A*)
• 2 other GCSE subjects (grade 2-9/E-A*)
• Physical fitness
• Passion for sports
• Passion for the outdoors
• Enthusiastic
• Ability to work flexibly
• Independent working
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions

Responsibilities

• Wicket preparation
• Grass cutting
• Line marking
• Scarifying and feeding
• Outfield mowing
• Ground repairs
• Machinery maintenance
• Tree work
• Astro turf upkeep
• Hard landscaping (e.g. paths, fences and hedges upkeep)
• Apply the correct rates and range of materials to sports turf surfaces (e.g. grass seed, granular fertilisers, bulky top-dressing, turf and root zone)
• Set and mark out the sports turf surface in accordance with the relevant governing body rules (including line marking, the 3-4-5 squaring technique, and marking arcs and semi-circles)
• Prepare machinery and equipment to ensure their safe and effective use when carrying out sport turf tasks
• Maintain levels of soil moisture using either irrigation or drainage systems
• Inspect the condition of sports turf, make observations and communicate findings (e.g. PQS, weeds, pests, diseases, thatch content)
• Prepare the ground and established grass areas as part of sports turf renovation tasks (e.g. overseeding, turfing)
• Carry out cylinder mowing of sports turf surface(s) in accordance with set requirements
• Carry out repair of sports turf surfaces using relevant equipment and machinery (e.g. divot repair, foot hole repair, animal damage)
• Prepare and safely operate a tractor and its attachments
• Select and use relevant communication styles (e.g. verbal, written, digital) to convey information to different audiences (e.g. clients, staff, suppliers)
• Adopt a systematic approach to troubleshooting and solving day-to-day resource or equipment issues
• Identify a range of turf grasses (vegetative and seed) (Including, perennial ryegrass smooth stalk meadow grass, annual meadow grass, fescue grass (fine), bent grass)
• Carry out maintenance of sports turf surface using relevant equipment and machinery (including scarification, and aeration)
• Dispose of waste in a safe and sustainable manner