Job Title: Gardener / Grounds Person Directorate: Initially Environmental Services, however, may be required to work in any Directorate of the Council Department: Initially Parks and Cemeteries, however, may be required to work in any Council Department Location: Throughout the Borough Reports to: Assistant Area Manager Salary Scale: Scale 2 to Scale 3 (SCP 4 - 7)* Car User Status: Use of Council Vehicle Purpose and Function of the Post Undertake a range of horticultural, grounds and facility maintenance service tasks within all Parks & Cemeteries locations identified by the line manager either individually or as part of a team, ensuring all areas are well maintained, clean and presentable. To ensure effective communication with site users, other members of the team and line management. Principal Duties and Responsibilities Responsibility for operation of machinery and horticultural equipment including grass cutting machinery, cultivation & hedge cutting equipment, and sports turf maintenance equipment and operation of such equipment in a safe, secure and proper manner. Act as keyholder for grounds maintenance facilities as required. Cleaning of equipment and work areas as required. Preparation and maintenance of sports facilities including initial setting out, line marking and renovation of same. Undertake grounds maintenance works as required including pedestrian grass cutting, ride-on mowing, hedge cutting, general parks cleansing including litter collection, path cleansing, collection of leaves, pruning, chemical safe storage calibration, recording and weed control, fertilising, planting, maintenance of floral schemes, grass areas, fine turf, play parks including inspections and other horticultural features. As appropriate drive Council vehicles and assist with traffic management signage and lane closures if required. To comply with and promote equality, health and safety in accordance with Council Policies and legal requirement. Support the operation and implementation of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) and develop opportunities for contributions to LBAP targets. Ensure appropriate use of IT Equipment, software and mobile phones where supplied. Carry out all specified, and any other relevant, duties to the highest of professional standards, protecting the reputation and always ensuring the integrity of the Council. Participate in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of the Service Plans responding to changing trends and stakeholder needs. Achieve high standards of personal performance, through meeting agreed personal targets and undertaking planned programmes of professional development. Assist with opportunities to gain efficiencies and improve effectiveness including collaborative joint working and other innovative approaches to achieve a better public service. When required to do so, undertake other relevant duties associated with community events; street maintenance e.g. litter lifting and salting; and cemetery burial operations as directed. Undertake any other duties consistent with the level and nature of the post that may be allocated by management to include the interchange of duties to cover leave, employee vacancies or illness. Note: The post holder may be expected to work outside hours at weekends, evenings and public holidays as dictated by the needs of the service. *Employees who meet all essential criteria will be paid Scale 2 (SCP 4-5). Employees who meet all essential and all desirable criteria on the attached Person Specification, will be paid Scale 3 (SCP 6-7). Person Specification Qualifications Essential: None. Desirable: NVQ Level 2 in Horticulture, Turf Culture or equivalent; PA1/PA6 Certificate of Competence in the application of Pesticides. Experience Essential: Applicants must be able to demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples, that they have one year's experience in working in a horticultural environment with a public interface; using a range of horticultural machinery and hand tools in a safe manner. Desirable: Applicants must be able to demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples, that they have two years' experience in working in a horticultural environment with a public interface; using a range of horticultural chemicals, machinery and hand tools in a safe manner. Knowledge, Skills and Ability Essential: Understanding of Health and Safety and practical risk assessments; to be a good team worker; providing a high-quality service in a public facing role. Other Requirements Essential: A valid Cat B driving licence; work towards achieving a PA1/PA6 Certificate of Competence in the application of Pesticides within 12 months of appointment; be prepared to work outside of normal working hours at weekends, evenings and public holidays as dictated by the needs of the service; appointment will be subject to completion of a medical questionnaire including a pre-employment Drugs and Alcohol Screening; a driving assessment by Council will form part of the selection process. Desirable: A valid driving licence to include categories C1+E. Note on Salary Scale: Scale 2 - only meets essential criteria above. Scale 3 - meets all essential and desirable criteria above. The selection panel reserves the right to enhance the shortlisting criteria to facilitate the process when necessary.