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Job Opportunities > Semi-Skilled Gardeners    

CAFRE

Semi-Skilled Gardeners    

Job now closed

Magherafelt

Salary: Scale 3 (SCP 5-6) £19,650 – £20,043 gross per annum
Reports to: Grounds/Cemetery Officer/Grounds Supervisor
Location: Magherafelt (The postholder will be required to work across the district to facilitate the needs of the service)
Hours: 37 hours per week (Annualised – see Summer/Winter breakdown)

The council may retain a list of reserve candidates arising from this recruitment campaign, for any vacancies which may arise which are the same or similar and are of an equal grade of pay.  Such a reserve list will be compiled and held for 12 months.

Purpose and Function of Post

To undertake general grounds maintenance duties in open spaces, towns/villages, landscaped areas, sports pitches, gardens, parks, other council property and council maintained facilities. To undertake horticultural and chemical control under supervision, including an empathetic and customer focused diverse range of day-to-day operational cemeteries duties. 

Principal Duties and Tasks Performed:

  1. Carry out within defined timelines grass cutting, hedge trimming, clearing leaves and litter, weed control, etc at any Council maintained locations throughout the year.
  • To mark out sports areas as directed.
  • To be responsible under supervision for the safe storage, handling and recording of chemicals according to COSHH procedures.
  • To undertake amenity horticultural operations such as planting, watering, pruning, seeding, topping up of graves and/or turf laying and the application of fertilisers as required.
  • To use powered hand tools and plant, including the operation of tractor mounted equipment. To undertake daily maintenance and setting of machinery.
  • To undertake site preparation and construction work under supervision.
  • To erect, dismantle and assist in the transportation of sports and other equipment for events or functions.
  • Undertake general cleaning/maintenance duties which may include cleansing of the cemetery facilities, vehicles/plant equipment and PPE, litter picking, emptying litterbins.  Sweeping of paths and roadways, gritting, snow clearance and ensuring same are clear of hazards, broken glass and debris etc.
  • Complete accurate works records, on a daily basis, in line with Council’s policies and procedures including vehicle/plant/equipment daily start up procedures, defect sheets and daily worksheets.  Report any and all defects to line manager and/or supervisor.
  • As directed by line management provide and cross check information on grave location or other relevant enquiries.
  • Contribute to effective team working, service delivery; deal with members of the public in a polite and courteous manner at any assigned Council cemetery locations and record and report details of all complaints to the line manager.
  • Maintain an up to date awareness of matters relating to cemetery operations, horticulture and grounds maintenance.
  • Conduct routine survey inspections (e.g. car park inspections, head stone inspections, site access inspections, bus shelters, nameplates, etc) as required and complete any associated reporting for repair in accordance with procedures.
  • Assist in the implementation of Council’s emergency plan when required

Duties And Responsibilities – General

  • To operate to the Council’s core values, mission statement and codes of behaviour.
  • Act in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Local Government employees. Undertake the foregoing duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the Council.
  • To take reasonable care for your health and safety and have regard to other persons who may be affected by the performance of your duties, in accordance with the provisions of Health & Safety legislation, and Council Codes of Practice and Procedures.  
  • To exercise proper care in handling, operating and safeguarding any equipment vehicle or appliance provided, used or issued by the Council or provided or issued by a third party for individual or collective use in the performance of your duties.
  • To adhere to existing work practices, methods, procedures, undertake relevant training and development activities and respond positively to new and alternative systems.
  • Assist the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor to ensure that performance targets are achieved to agreed quality standards as appropriate.         
  • To carry out any other reasonable duties and responsibilities within the overall directorate commensurate with the grading and level of responsibilities of the post.

Please note:  This job description is a broad picture of the post at the date of preparation.  It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties as it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time.  The post holder will be required to carry out any other duties up to and including the grade for the position offered as necessary to fulfil the purpose and function of the post.

Person Specification

1.       Qualifications and Experience

1.1     Essential Qualifications and Experience

  • B + E Driving Licence
  • NVQ Level 1 in Amenity Horticulture or equivalent level qualification OR a minimum of 3 years relevant experience
  • Applicants must provide specific and personal examples of having at least 1 years’ relevant experience in a private/commercial/agricultural or public sector operational service in the following areas:
  • Manual work;
  • Operating tools, powered hand tools ;
  • Operating plant/excavation machinery;
  • Horticultural operations;
  • Working as part of a Team.

1.2     Desirable Qualifications and Experience

  • C1 plus E driving licence or equivalent
  • Certificate in Chemical Spraying and Handling (Pa1 & Pa6)
  • Applicants must provide specific and personal examples of having at least 2 years’ relevant experience in a private/commercial/agricultural or public sector operational service in the following areas:
  • Experience of seasonal planting schemes;
  • Repair and maintenance of grounds maintenance equipment.

2        Competencies

In accordance with the Competency Framework for Local Government1 applicants for this post must demonstrate the following competencies at Frontline level:

2.1  Providing Leadership and Direction

Setting Direction – Contributes to the development of the organisational strategy by bringing insights on customer feedback and expectations

2.2 How we Manage Ourselves

Managing Our Own Work – Uses appropriate tools and techniques to plan work effectively

Communicating with Impact 

– Uses languages and a style of communication that is appropriate to the Council context and the political environment

-Is able to utilise persuasive skills to convince others through a structured argument

2.3     Working With Others

Collaborating in a Political Environment – Develops and maintains an appropriate network across team and/or organisational boundaries

Influencing Outcomes – Endeavours to understand others views and perspectives

2.4     How We Move Forward

Problem Solving & Decision Making – Gathers and analyses relevant information and evidence

Continuously Improving Services

– Introduce processes that positively deliver improvements

– Takes an evidence based approach in identifying and tracking improvements.

________________________                                                                                          

1 Further details on these competencies and their associated positive indicators can be found in the Competency Framework for Local Government at www.lgsc.org.uk.

Annualised Hours for Grounds Maintenance

Total annual hours: 37 hours per week x 52 weeks per year = 1924 total

  1. Summer; April to September (Weeks 1-26) 7.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 7.30am to 4pm on a Friday; 4 x 9 = 36 + 8 = 44 hours/week or 1144 hours
  • Winter; October to March (Weeks 27 to 52) 8.00am to 4pm ; four days per week (Monday -Thursday and Tuesday – Friday alternating; i.e. a 4 day weekend every other week Friday to Monday; 4 x 7.5 = 30 hours/week or 780 hours (780 + 1144 = 1924 hours)
  • In the event that there is a Week 53 (which happens every so often) in any year then that week would be a 37 hour week (7.30am to 3.30pm Mon to Thurs and 7.30am to 3.00pm on a Friday) which would fall between the end of Winter and the start of the Summer hours around the end of March, beginning of April.
  • Pay would be based on 37 hours all year round and leave would need to be booked pro rata in hours.
  • Any overtime would be payable once the Summer (44) or Winter (30) weekly hours had been reached.