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Title
Head Groundsman
Reporting
- Chief executive
The ideal candidate for the position of Head Groundsman should possess the following attributes:
- Self-motivated
- Pro-active with a hands-on approach
- Keen interest in developing the Grounds
- 5 years of relevant experience within a quality organization
- Strong manager of both people and situations with well-developed leadership ability
- Able to accept responsibility and make decisions correctly and quickly
- Logical and rational mind with great attention to detail
- Sound knowledge of horticulture as well as turf with irrigation experience
- Qualified to at least NVQ 3, preferably 4. Alternatively, an HND in a related topic would also be excellent
- Hold PA1, 2, and 6 spraying licenses
- Additional qualifications i.e. tractor license, health & safety, chainsaw, first aid certificate is desirable
- Driving license
- Computer literate
- Daily provision of the best possible playing surface
- Keeping the workshop and equipment in a good state of repair
- Ensuring the gardens and lawns around the clubhouse are always presentable
- Providing a safe working environment
- Instructing in the correct use of equipment
- Completing monthly fire equipment checks and annual electrical tests
- Providing logistic services to the clubhouse as required
- Maintaining adequate levels of supplies and consumables
- Encouraging training and personal development among the staff
- Applying chemical, mechanical, and cultural practices to the grounds as required
- Laying out and bringing in ground boards, repairing/painting as required, as well as maintaining the grandstands and wooden horse
Grounds
- Implementing irrigation as required, or as fits into the polo schedule
- Arranging daily treading in and hole filling from the previous day's play
- Surveying the grounds daily for signs of drought, disease, insect infestation, nutrient deficiency, and mechanical/physical damage
- Gang mowing/roller mowing as required
- Marking out the grounds and providing playing equipment as necessary
- Ensuring the horse ambulance is present at all games and practices, and making sure that it is closely attended
- Bringing in all playing equipment at the end of the day's play
- Picking up litter from the previous day's play
- Sweeping the concrete lines or raking the soil lines as required, as well as raking the sand area
- Ensuring the scaffolding is all securely fastened
- Testing the hoses and taps daily
- Mowing and line trim periodically
- Checking for litter and any obvious physical/structural damage
- Irrigating plants & lawns as required
- Fertilizing according to need
- Keeping the flowerbeds weed-free
- Mowing and line trimming the lawns frequently
- Tending to the flowerpots
- Keeping the office entrance and patio area swept and weed-free
- Fertilizing, mowing, and line trimming as required, with special attention to be paid around the marquee area (brush off any clippings)
- Keeping them immaculate, weed-free, mown and watered. Brushing clippings off the fences, washing soil/clippings off the buildings. Tending to window boxes and keeping flowerbeds weed-free, roses to be sprayed, etc.
- Mowing the pitch periodically and supplying playing equipment as needed
- Occasionally line trimming of the paddocks and the area surrounding the building
- Conducting an annual weed kill
- After severe rainfall, re-grading of the riding tracks may be needed
- Checking the ground boards before matches are played
- Emptying trailers at Flemish Farm daily during the season and weekly during the off-season
- Paying attention to damaged fences and making prompt repairs
- Mowing road verges and occasional repair
- Conducting a rigorous over-seeding program at the season's end along with a top-dressing and grounds repair as needed
- Bringing in and repairing/painting ground boards and other associated furnishings
- Major equipment overhauls and other winter activities as dictated by the committee, holidays, and education
- Chief Executive
- Polo office
- Contractors & suppliers
- Flemish Farm
- Crown Estate (Savill Gardens)
- Organizations - G.C.S.A.A., B.I.G.G.A., S.T.R.I.
