Landscape Sports Assistant

The University of Sheffield seeks a dedicated Landscape Sports Assistant to oversee daily operations at both the Norton Sports Park and Goodwin Sports Centre. This critical role is instrumental in ensuring the safety, cleanliness, and operational readiness of our sports facilities for the benefit of students and the wider community.

Overview

Reporting to the Landscape Supervisor, key responsibilities include:

• Hold a flexible approach to work, including across all external facilities within the Sport & Physical Activity portfolio.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a cohesive team, coupled with excellent time management and task prioritisation skills, is essential.
• Evidence of a thorough, competent working knowledge of operational service delivery of natural and synthetic sports facilities.
• Deliver planned and reactive services, seeking to continuously improve standards, embrace change and ensure compliance with Integrated Management System (IMS) processes.
• Hold a working knowledge of matters relating to health and safety and understand the need to meet compliance standards and to promote a safe and healthy work environment.
• Excellent communication and enjoys interaction with customers and peers.
• A strong commitment to the Sheffield Professional values is expected, guiding the implementation of operational processes and procedures. The Landscape Sports Assistant will be responsible for conducting daily inspections and ensuring strict adherence to safe working practices, in full compliance with relevant legislation and the University Health and Safety Policy.

Sport & Physical Activity is situated within Student Academic Services (S&AS), a department dedicated to enhancing the student experience through comprehensive support, including initiatives that promote student health and wellbeing.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Assist the Landscape Supervisor (Sports) with the planning and delivery of an annual maintenance programme including use of specialised machinery (e.g. aerators, topdressers, or large mowers).
• Have a working knowledge of normal and emergency operating procedures and comply with current health and safety legislation, promoting a positive health and safety culture.
• Open/secure the facility, storage areas, vehicles and conduct the opening checks, including inspecting the pitches, welcoming customers, act as a point of contact for first aid and general enquiries.
• Conduct pre-use inspections of grounds equipment, report faults, remove equipment from use where required, liaise with Grounds Supervisor and external service providers regarding equipment servicing, and record as appropriate.
• Work with the Grounds Supervisor and Sport & Physical Activity to ensure adequate resources, equipment and stock are available to meet specific work objectives.
• Foster and actively promote a ‘can do’ culture: with a particular focus on a positive team spirit and customer-focused service delivery.
• Contribute to audit processes to ensure compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974), and Quality and Environmental Management Systems (ISO9001 and ISO14001).
• Maintain a flexible approach to work, including working across multiple sites and the ability to react quickly to changes in programming requirements.
• Maintain vocational qualifications, ensure all mandatory training is completed, partake in ongoing professional development and participate in regular staff training sessions to ensure compliance with University, IMS, current legislation and business needs.
• On occasions may be asked to act as a senior member of the Landscape Team to co-ordinate the delivery of facilities and services under the guidance of a Senior Manager.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Undertake basic administrative duties to provide effective communication between Sport & Physical Activity, wider university colleagues, external agencies and governing bodies.
• Respond to emergencies and initiate Emergency Action Plans, including evacuating facilities, as required.
• Support University of Sheffield Open Days on behalf of Sport & Physical Activity providing prospective students with all the relevant information.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.