Job Vacancy: Deputy Head Grounds Person, Reading Football Club
Job title: Deputy Head Grounds Person
Employer: Reading Football Club
Location: Bearwood Park Training Ground RG41 5DB
Contract: Permanent
Department: Grounds Team
Reporting to: Head Grounds Person
Salary & Benefits: competitive
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We are looking for the right person to join our busy Grounds Team who will be responsible for the preparation and maintenance of all sports turf pitches used by Reading Football Club. Based at our Bearwood Park Training Ground, RG41 5DB, you will work 37.5 hrs per week on a rota basis in line with the training schedules and fixtures
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Reading Football Club are committed to ensuring equal opportunities are given to all and welcomes applications from all areas of the community regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnerships
Safeguarding Statement
Reading Football Club recognises that the safety and protection of children and young people engaged in club activities must take priority over all other considerations. Due to this post being in regulated activity, the potential employee will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the appropriate level. It is a criminal offence for a barred person to attempt to engage with vulnerable group. Engagement will be subject to sight of a satisfactory DBS disclosure and stringent background and reference checks.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- To produce and issue staffing rotas and schedules.
- To co-ordinate daily work tasks, using Reading FC staff and contractor’s staff.
- To supervise contractors instructed to carry out works.
- To prepare and maintain all sports turf pitches used by Reading FC at Training Grounds and The Select Car Leasing Stadium as instructed.
- To produce playing surfaces for professional footballers at the highest possible standard,
- To maintain the Dome Artificial indoor Pitch and outdoor 3G Pitch.
- To undertake marking lines/cutting grass sports and amenity surfaces/treating pitches.
- To maintain & care for Landscaped areas on or off site including properties.
- To manage/lead and supervise staff who are employed to work on the pitches, landscaped areas and any other work designated by the Head Grounds Person.
- To train, develop and motivate staff to continuously develop their technical skills and user relations, especially trainees and work experience staff to ensure standards of work and safety is achieved and maintained.
- To liaise with other departments, in the absence of the Head Grounds Person, including but not limited to: Head of Grounds, Director of Operations, Stadium Manager, Safety Officer, Director of Football, First Team Manager and staff, Academy Manger and staff, Women’s team Manager and staff.
- To ensure safe working of Stadium Grow Lighting equipment and a good understanding of operating the irrigation system and moisture/ firmness levels.
- To have a developed awareness of Health and Safety regulations in the areas of responsibility, COSSH, PPE, Manual Handling etc.
- To possess a sound understanding of legislation relating to chemicals and dangerous substances.
- To promote and lead by example and always ensure safe working practices.
- To ensure all equipment is correctly maintained and serviced.
- To conduct basic risk assessments, make recommendations and be able to respond to emergencies.
- To collect and record data on the playing surface and amenity environment.
- To plan daily/weekly tasks and operations with Head Grounds Person.
- To organise and plan staff and casual staff working schedule to ensure training, fixtures and works are covered including bank holidays and weekends.
- To assist with event planning.
- To maintain records of staff and casual workers attendance.
- To undertake stock checks
- To update/maintain machinery records and maintenance.
- To be responsible for the upkeep and operations of the undersoil heating and irrigations system
- To adhere to a strict code of confidentiality in respect of any information relating to Reading Football Club and its operation
- There is an expectation that you will undertake adhoc work on an exceptional basis or provide relevant cover for other team tasks
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Qualifications: Essential – NVQ Level 2 & 3 in Sports Turf or similar formal qualification; PA1, 2, 6 Safe Use of Pesticides; Tractor Operations Certificate. Desirable – completion of Team Leadership course
Experience: Essential – 1 or more years leadership experience; use of irrigation systems; operation of ride on and pedestrian machinery; tractor operations experience with attachments; maintenance & upkeep of all machinery
Knowledge: Essential – Health & Safety knowledge; product & turf health; ability to identify disease & other environmental factors
Skills: Essential – IT & numeracy; strong verbal communication skills; ability to adapt to plan around factors outside of your control; organising tasks; record keeping; data collection
Attitude: Essential – can-do, positive attitude; flexibility & willingness to adapt working patterns around events and weather