Grounds Assistant; Unqualified

Job title: Grounds Assistant (Unqualified)

Hours of Work: Full time; 37.5 hours per week.

Location: Club’s Stadium, Club’s Office, Club’s training ground, the Club’s Academy, and any replacement(s). The employee may also be required to work at such other sites as the Club may from time to time required.

Remuneration: £26,260 per annum.

We are Pompey — proud of our past, passionate about our future, and powered by our people. We’re a club that values honesty, unity, and hard work. Now, we’re looking for someone who shares those values to join our Grounds Team.

This is a great opportunity for someone who takes pride in their work, is hands-on, and wants to be part of something bigger — maintaining the pitches where legends are made.

The Grounds Assistant’s role is to support and assist the Grounds Manager in maintaining the sports pitches and associated land at Fratton Park, our training ground in Copnor and youth team facility at HMS Collingwood to a high standard. You will be required to work in accordance with all relevant Health and Safety policies, environmental policies and all other policies as set by the Grounds Manager.

• To prepare and maintain all pitches across the sites to an excellent standard, ensuring that the matches and training sessions can proceed safely and on schedule within a professional football environment.
• To assist with the creation, mowing, marking out, renovation and setting up of pitches to maintain high standard playing surfaces at all times.
• To safely operate all equipment associated with the maintenance of football pitches and associated land. Equipment examples: pedestrian mowers/ride on mowers/strimmer’s/line marking equipment/tractors.
• To assist with the safe loading, transporting, and storing of equipment and materials, following appropriate manual handling techniques. Duties may include accepting and checking deliveries when required.
• To ensure that all machinery is cleaned and maintained safely in line with manufacturer instructions.
• To assist with general maintenance tasks in relation to both grass and artificial playing surfaces and surrounding areas.
• To assist with general maintenance of landscape areas.
• To conduct thorough pre‑use and post‑use inspections of all equipment and machinery.
• Promptly notify the Grounds Manager of mechanical faults or equipment breakdowns and, where appropriate, take immediate corrective action to resolve them.
• Prepared to work as part of a team as well as having the ability to complete tasks on an individual basis.
• Always maintain professional, and proactive communication with customers/clients/public to ensure smooth operations and consistently uphold the Club’s reputation.
• To attend all educational trainings and CPD programmes as directed by the Club, the EFL and FA.
• To be able to work flexible hours as and when required. The role does include working unsociable hours to help meet the needs of the first team.
• Always adhere to all company policies including but not exclusive to the Health and Safety at Work Act, Safeguarding Policy, Diversity and Equality Policy, Equal Opportunities Policy and Social Media Policy.

Your Skills and Experience

• Previous experience within a fine turf environment. A qualification in sports turf would be an advantage.
• Experience in operating sports turf machinery.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations.
• PA1, PA2 and PA6 Spraying certificates is an advantage.

We will support you with the tools, training, and team to succeed, including:

• 23 days holiday + bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Staff perks from club sponsors

General information

We promote an equal, diverse, and inclusive workplace and we are committed to providing the best experience for our colleagues. As a business we aim to be as representative of as many sections of society as possible, and for each colleague to feel respected and able to give of their best every day.

We ensure that we treat people the right way, promote respect and believe that making the most of our differences is the key to the success of our business.

We…