Assistant Groundsperson

Job Summary and Key Objectives:

The Assistant Groundsperson will support the Training Ground Pitch Manager and will be primarily based at the Training Ground in Heston. As part of the grounds team, the role is responsible for the maintenance and preparation of training pitches, consisting of a mixture of DESSO-reinforced and soil-based surfaces.

Key duties include, but are not limited to, cutting, marking, spiking, brushing, and surface grooming. The role also involves the upkeep of associated soft and hard landscaping areas to ensure the site is maintained and presented to a consistently high standard. There will be occasional liaison with Elite coaching staff to address any issues arising during training sessions.

The successful candidate will be expected to assist the Pitch Manager and, when required, deputise in their absence. The role will occasionally require working outside normal office hours, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.

Key Responsibilities:

To support the Training Ground Pitch Manager in the preparation and maintenance of the Club’s training and match pitches for QPR elite and academy teams.

Role Requirements:

• Maintain and prepare the playing surfaces to an excellent standard, ensuring that all planned matches and training sessions can go ahead on schedule.

• Carry out a range of pitch maintenance tasks ensuring the surfaces remain in top condition including mowing, brushing, Verti cutting, spiking, applying fertilisers, spraying, seeding, top dressing and marking out.

• To carry out pre and post use inspections of all maintenance equipment

• Observe all health and safety requirements for the safe setting up, maintenance and operation of associated equipment and machinery used in both pitch and grounds maintenance such as hand mowers (both cylinder and rotary), ride on mowers, tractors and associated tractor mounted implements small hand powered tools such as strimmer’s, hedge cutters and handheld blowers etc. reporting any issues or defects to the Pitch Manager.

• Ensure all machinery is cleaned and safely stored after use.

• Loading, transporting, and storing equipment and materials safely

• To have a flexible approach to working hours. Due to the requirements of the club, flexible working hours may be required on occasion which includes working on occasional bank holidays, evenings and weekends to cover all training and match day requirements.

• When dealing with customers/clients/members of the public, to uphold high standards of customer care and promote the image of QPR FC

• Demonstrate consistently high communication skills with coaching staff, suppliers, and colleagues.

• Club uniform and PPE will be provided by the Club which must be worn on duty.

• Participate in the annual appraisal process

• Comply with all company policies/procedures. Adhere to all company regulations regarding policies, procedures, safeguarding, health, safety, and security.

• All other duties that may arise from time to time and fall within the scope of this position. 

Person Specification:

• Previous experience as a Groundsperson or similar
• A full understanding of field markings
• Experience of simple machinery maintenance and repairs
• Knowledge and experience of working with synthetic sports pitches/surfaces
• The ability to work well as part of a team
• A flexible and enthusiastic approach to work
• Must also be able to work without supervision and prioritise workload according to fixture lists and weather conditions.
• Full, clean driving licence

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Relevant level 2 qualification in sports turf management (NVQ or similar) this could be an NVQ, SVQ, or another qualification such as the Level 2 GMA Technical Certificate in Turf Surface Maintenance. and, or 
• A minimum 2 to 3 years’ experience of working in a sports turf environment.

Desirable

• PA1/PA6/PA2 National Proficiency Test council in Pesticide Application.
• Level 2 Award in chainsaw Maintenance Cross cutting, Felling & Processing Trees (CS30 & CS31)

Skills

• A willingness to engage in Continual Professional Development on an annual basis. 
• Competent level of numeracy and literacy with excellent communication skills
• An ability to work effectively in a team and independently

As a small and tight knit QPR grounds maintenance team, QPR recognise the need for all staff to work in a multi-disciplinary manner and encourage personal development and help in building team spirit to enable the Club and other parts of the company to achieve its objectives.

This job description is intended as a guide to the main responsibilities and is not intended to restrict any individual in the performance of other duties as required by the Club.