Groundsperson

Full time Groundsman

Job Description

Reporting to the Head Groundsperson, you will play an important role in ensuring the day-to-day maintenance of all training, playing surfaces, and surrounding areas to a first-class standard, at all times.   

 

The idea candidate will have previous experience using a variety of agricultural machinery and tools, including cylindrical and rotary pedestrian lawnmowers. Qualified to a Level 2 in Sports Turf Management standard, or working towards would be an advantage.

 

Applicants should be flexible and available to work various shift patterns, including evenings and weekends depending upon the fixture schedule of the Club’s First Team. This role requires working outdoors in all weather conditions.

 

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

 

  • A team member who will help ensure our pitches are of the highest standard required for elite sport and safe for use during training and the playing of matches.
  • Preparation and maintenance of sports pitches at Bloomfield Road and the First Team Training Ground, including grass cutting, preparing pitch markings prior to all Blackpool Football Club fixtures.
  • Maintenance of goal posts, including netting, noting any defects and reporting them.
  • Ensure all surfaces and surrounding areas are kept to a high standard.
  • Divoting to help repair playing surfaces after training sessions and matchdays.
  • Be prepared to work in all weathers.
  • Post-match remediation of the playing turf at Bloomfield Road and the First Team training facilities.
  • Be capable of operating all machinery used onsite in a safe manner and in strict compliance with current Health & Safety legislation.
  • General day to day maintenance of all machinery used at the site; ensure appropriate daily records relating to the pre-operations checks and machinery use are completed and maintained for inspection.
  • Assist with maintaining adequate stock levels of fertilisers, seeds and other relevant materials, submitting requests for additional resources when necessary.
  • Help identify new working practices and/or products to improve pitch quality, undertaking any relevant training when required.
  • Additional duties as reasonably requested by the Head Groundsperson.

·       To adhere to the Club’s Safeguarding Policy at all times.

·       To promote a safe and healthy working environment for all players and staff

·       To promote a professional image of the club and themselves at all times.

·       To contribute to identifying and undertaking initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.

·       To work with and support other team members as required ensuring effective and efficient service is developed and delivered.

·       You will be expected to seek ways of updating and improving personal skills, knowledge and understanding relevant to your own job role.

 

The above job description is not intended to be exhaustive; the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the club.

 

Person Specification

 

Essential Requirements

Desirable Requirement

Qualifications

 

  • Level 2 NVQ in Amenity Horticulture or Level 2 in Sports Turf Management or working towards.
  • The role is suited to a newly qualified college graduate/apprentice looking to find a role within professional football.

 

Experience

  • Previous experience of working in the sports turf industry.
  • Be a frequent user of driven vehicles such as tractors and ride-on mowers, holding relevant licences where applicable.
  • Be a frequent user of hand-tools such as spades, forks, trowels, rakes, hoes, shears and secateurs.
  • Setting height of cut on mowers and set cut accordingly.

 

  • Experience in using pedestrian lawnmowers (cylinder and rotary).
  • Knowledge of irrigation.
  • Use of tractor mounted sprayers.
  • Knowledge of pitch grow lights.

Knowledge & Skills

  • General knowledge of health and safety procedures with relevant training certificates where applicable.
  • General knowledge of fertilisers and pesticides.
  • Pro-active approach to work, able to work independently or as part of a team.
  • Demonstrate self-motivation, organisation, planning, prioritisation and good time management.
  • Strong attention to detail.

 

Personal Qualities

  • Dynamic personality and positive attitude to work.
  • Continually work to improve your own knowledge and performance.
  • Conscientious, organised and provide work on time and in detail.
  • Work at a fast pace to meet the needs of the Club.
  • Self-motivated with the ability to work alone and as a member of a team.

·       Possess a progressive mindset (individually and departmentally).

·       Enthusiastic and positive with a willingness to learn.

·       Possess excellent communication skills.

·       Assertive, calm with the ability to work well under pressure.

·       An understanding of the seasonality nature of the role and the need for flexibility with regards to working long hours including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

·       Ability to travel between different sites eg the Club & Training ground.

 

 

To apply for the position please submit a CV and a covering letter detailing how you meet the criteria for the role to HR@Blackpoolfc.co.uk or Blackpool Football Club, Bloomfield Road, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, FY1 6JJ.

We encourage early applicants as we reserve the right to close the application process at any time. 

 

This job will be subject to satisfactory references and DBS procedures.

 

Safeguarding:  Blackpool Football Club Ltd and the EFL are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment.  Posts advertised may require Enhanced Criminal Record Checks and may include checks against the Barred lists, as such it is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974).  Therefore, all convictions, including spent convictions that have not been subject to filtering by the DBS should be declared. 

 

Recruitment checks: You will also be required to provide details of referees for the previous five years’ working history or referees whilst in full time education. 

 

Equality and Diversity:  Employees must always carry out their duties with due regard to Blackpool Football Club’s policies and procedures.  The employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.

 

Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Mission Statement: At Blackpool Football Club we aim to provide an enjoyable experience for all supporters and hold inclusion and anti-discrimination at the core of our values. We are committed to creating an environment which welcomes and respects people from all communities, promoting equality and diversity at Bloomfield Road and its associated premises. As a Club we recognise the nine protected characteristics (age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation) under the Equality Act 2010 and will play an active role in supporting inclusion and putting an end to discrimination.  

 

The employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.

 

Blackpool Football Club is an equal opportunities employer.