Job Title: Grounds Person Department Estates and Facilities Directorate Accommodation and Commercial Services Grade: Grade 4 Salary range: £25,844-£26,663 Working arrangements: Permanent Full time (35 hours) Five days out of seven There may be some requirement to work evenings and weekends, as business demands Participation in the on-call rota for out-of-hours emergency situations, particularly in relation to the University’s winter maintenance programme. Onsite working only The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? • Information Page. The Role and the Department Durham University owns an estate covering 251 hectares (ha), including, woodland and scrub (112ha), farming and grazing land (53ha), amenity grassland (27ha), as well as wetlands and river line habitats. It supports a rich diversity of species and habitats, including many red listed species of conservation concern and numerous areas of species- rich habitat. As Grounds Person, you will undertake all aspects of gardens and grounds maintenance including college grounds and heritage planting at Palace Green linking in and working collaboratively with the Biodiversity Team, in line with DU Biodiversity Strategy, You will become a member of a professional, customer focussed team, delivering exemplary standards of grounds and landscape management. The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year, including time off between Christmas and New Year. No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5- 16. We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community. Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships. We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future. Durham University is committed to equality diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for: Qualifications/Experience 1. Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent experience. 2. NVQ Level 2 in amenity horticulture (or equivalent) or significant experience of working in a similar environment. 3. Recognised qualification in tractor and trailer operations. 4. PA1, PA6 Safe Use and Application of Pesticides. 5. Experience of working in a grounds maintenance services. 6. Experience of providing day-to-day guidance, support and instruction to apprentices, trainees, volunteers or less experienced colleagues. 7. Experience of planning, prioritising and coordinating work activities to meet operational deadlines and service standards. 8. Experience of implementing and maintaining biodiversity initiatives and sustainable land management practices. 9. Experience of delivering a range of planned, preventative and reactive grounds maintenance activities across a large or complex estate environment. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 1 0. Good spoken and written communication skills. 1 1. Good digital skills including the ability to use the internet, email and mobile devices. 1 2. Good knowledge of, health and safety guidelines, including the ability to understand and work in accordance with risk assessments and method statements. 1 3. Good knowledge and skills of biodiversity implementation and management, habitat creation and environmental best practice. 1 4. Ability to interpret works to be undertaken, as outlined in instructions and specifications, with minimal supervision. 1 5. Ability to solve problems and resolve straightforward issues yourself and as part of a team. 1 6. Ability to use and operate the usual range of power/handheld tools and equipment associated with gardens and grounds maintenance, such as electric/petrol hedge trimmer, pedestrian operated lawn mower and ride-on mower. Desirable Criteria 1. Committed to continuing professional development. 2. Experience of working in historic landscape environments. 3. Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers. 4. Experience of using technological-based job management systems. 5. Understanding of the development, operational and maintenance requirements of a complex green estate. 6. Combined chainsaw maintenance and Tree felling (CS Units 30 and 31) City and Guilds NPTC Certificate and Pole Pruning (*CS Unit 48 006) City and Guilds NPTC Certificate or equivalent 7. Grounds Maintenance and landscaping skills and the ability to undertake, for example, construction of habitat creations, hedge trimming, path laying etc. 8. Experience of the delivery of reactive, cyclical, and planned grounds maintenance, infrastructure projects and new landscape schemes. 9. Full UK driving licence. How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria, we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails. What you are required to submit: A CV A covering letter, which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. Contact details If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Jonny Briggs, Gardens and Grounds Manager, jonathon.briggs@durham.ac.uk, would be happy to speak to you. Typical Role Requirements Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate. Service Delivery Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values. Provide an excellent and timely gardens and grounds service to our students, your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role, by carrying out your tasks using the relevant procedures (which we will provide training for), for the maintenance of our grounds, woodlands and landscaping. Ensure compliance with Health and Safety regulations including correctly wearing any protective clothing or equipment provided, e.g., safety shoes, being aware of any hazards and risks and reporting any incidents. Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role and provide information and updates to help your team find solutions. Collect, organise and record routine data and information accurately and provide reports as required. Use an electronic IWMS system to store work progression. Carry out tasks that may require specialist skills and may be physically demanding. Operate and maintain, specialist equipment and tools such as polesaw hedge trimmer ride on mower, pedestrian mower. Carry out standard tasks and checks according to statutory guidance and procedures, completing logs and records for evidence of compliance. Safely use a wide range of hazardous materials, such as flammable liquids, pesticides, herbicides, etc., as instructed and in accordance with appropriate safety instructions. Drive University vehicles, transporting equipment around the site including tractor and trailer. Follow and provide guidance on health and safety requirements which are relevant to your role. Promote positive wellbeing arrangements which benefit you and your team. Explain and demonstrate tasks to others to make sure a wide range of physical equipment and tools are used safely. Assist in the recording of flora and fauna discovered on the estate. Help monitor and replenish stock levels and carry out stock and inventory checks. Teamwork Help your colleagues to organise and plan workload and deadlines. Help your colleagues to organise, plan and prepare for annual statutory safety and maintenance checks and contribute to team planning activities. Assist with the provision of ongoing on-the-job training and/or coaching for Grounds Maintenance Assistants, Apprentices, external contractors and trainees. Resolve queries and respond to requests for information and advice. Bring any complex issues to the attention of more experienced team members. Help your team provide safe, secure and appropriate grounds and garden spaces across the University. Help to carry out and complete risk assessments and safety records. Follow established procedures when responding to potentially harmful situations. Help to plan and organise a schedule of grounds maintenance tasks to meet compliance and regulatory standards. Communication/Liaison Seek feedback from students, staff and anyone else that you come across as part of your role on their requirements from your service to ensure reasonable expectations are being met. Record information and respond to queries which you receive. Liaise with staff in other areas to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way. Liaise with external suppliers, contractors, specialists and service providers. Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants • Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.