Job Description
Our client, a private estate near Henley on Thames, is seeking a knowledgeable and hands-on Grounds Team Member to join a small, professional estate team. The successful candidate will take primary responsibility for the care and presentation of approximately 2 hectares of lawns and fine turf areas, ensuring they are maintained to a consistently high standard throughout the year.
This role would suit an individual with strong practical experience in lawn and turf management, a good understanding of lawn science, and a proactive approach to grounds maintenance.
Key Responsibilities
Lawn & Turf Management
* Take ownership of the estate's lawn and fine turf areas, maintaining excellent presentation and health year-round
* Develop and implement seasonal lawn care programmes
* Carry out and coordinate:
o Scarification
o Aeration
o Top dressing
o Rolling
o Irrigation management
o Mowing and edging
* Monitor turf health and identify issues relating to drainage, compaction, disease, nutrient deficiency, pests, and weeds
* Maintain accurate records of treatment schedules, products used, and maintenance activities
Chemical & Fertiliser Application
* Safely handle and apply fertilisers, herbicides, fungicides, and other turf care products
* Ensure all applications are carried out using the correct products, methods, and timings
* Maintain awareness of current legislation and safe storage requirements
General Estate Grounds Duties
* Assist with wider estate grounds maintenance as required, including:
o Hedge cutting
o Leaf clearance
o Planting and border maintenance
o Path and hard surface upkeep
o Seasonal estate tasks
Machinery & Equipment
* Operate and maintain grounds machinery and turf equipment safely and effectively
* Carry out routine maintenance checks and report faults promptly
* Keep machinery, stores, and working areas clean and organised
Candidate Requirements
Essential
* Proven experience in lawn and turf care, ideally within a private estate, sports turf, golf, or high-end grounds environment
* Strong understanding of lawn science and turf management principles
* Experience planning and implementing lawn treatment programmes
* Knowledge of fertilisers, turf chemicals, and correct application techniques
* Competence in scarification, aeration, overseeding, and related turf renovation practices
* PA1/PA6 spraying certificates
* Formal horticultural or turf management qualification
* Experience operating ride-on mowers and specialist turf machinery
* Irrigation system knowledge
* Chainsaw or additional machinery certificates
Personal Qualities
* Reliable, self-motivated, and practical
* Comfortable working outdoors in all seasons
* Team-oriented with a positive attitude
* Takes pride in producing exceptional standards of work
* Organised and capable of planning seasonal workloads effectively
Please note that we will only contact those candidates that we assess as suitable for the positions we have currently available based on their experience, training, and skills. If we do not have anything suitable, we will not keep your CV for more than 30 days.
As an equal opportunity employer, Bucks and Berks Recruitment is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply.