Caretaker Groundsperson

Call/email Alisdair at School Staffing to get a full job description with details of this Special Needs Schools' Group.

They are the sixth-largest provider of specialist educational services in the country, supporting over 900 children and young people, and employing over 1,000 staff.

Groundsperson/Caretaker

Location: Tokers Green, Reading

Salary: £25,729.60 - £26,436.80 per year depending on experience Contract: Full time permanent position.Hours: 40 hours per week, Split shift 6am-10am & 1pm-5pm (part time hours considered 6am -10am) Start date: As soon as possible

This Special Needs School in Tokers Green, Reading, Berkshire opened in November 2024, supporting young people aged 6 -16 with a diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorder, moderate to Severe Learning needs and associated difficulties, who require an individualised, specialist approach.

Your Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Skills:

• Ability to work well in a team and on own initiative
• Demonstrable attention to detail and pride in work
• Organised and able to prioritise own workload
• Ability to be flexible

Knowledge:

• Understanding of safe working principles and Health and Safety legislation
• COSHH - safe use of chemicals
• Weed-spraying licence - desirable but not essential
• Understanding impact of works on wildlife and adjustments required (nesting season and protected species)
• Electrical safety
• First Aid Certificate - desirable but not essential

Experience

• Experience of maintaining grounds in a similar role (Essential)
• Mechanical experience or experience undertaking basic machine maintenance (Essential)
• Experience of working within a school and/or special needs environment (Desirable)

Opportunity

We are currently looking to recruit a?Groundsperson to join our expanding team and work alongside the Site Manager to ensure that the external areas of the site are maintained to the highest possible standard, ensuring that all relevant health and safety legislation and company procedures are adhered to.

Key Duties

• Ensuring all grass areas are mowed regularly and grass is kept to a reasonable length.
• Strimming back overgrowth around the site.
• Trimming hedges and bushes, keeping them tidy and safe at all times, paying attention to nesting seasons and wildlife protection legislation.
• Maintaining grounds maintenance equipment and liaising with suppliers and finance colleagues for servicing by external parties where necessary.
• Maintaining clear gutters and drains across the site.
• Clearing rubbish from the external areas and emptying bins where necessary.
• Removing weeds and managing weed-killing routines in accordance with regulations and manufacturers’ instructions on safe use.
• Leaf-clearing and removal/destruction across the site.
• Gritting pathways and drives in conjunction with the rest of the maintenance team in winter months.
• Maintaining fences, including repairs and paint/treatment.
• Supporting the rest of the maintenance team with any other applicable duties, including painting and decorating and general site maintenance.
• Any other task applicable to the scope and responsibility of the role

Please note that duties will vary and you will be expected to contribute to the overall aims of the school when required

Benefits:

• • Life assurance
  • Enhanced pension scheme
  • Perkbox - offering high street discounts
  • Employee assistance programme
  • Car lease scheme
  • Fully funded training and qualifications
  • Bike to work scheme
  • Free membership to our Health cash back plan - Claim back money on services such as dental, optical, physio and many more.

School Staffing Solutions Recruitment Ltd is acting as an employment business for this position.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled.

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

As a result of the volume of applications, If we have not contacted you within two weeks of your application being received, then regretfully your application will not be taken forward on this occasion.