Groundsperson

Organisation:
The National Trust for Scotland

Location:

Craigievar Castle, Alford, AB33 8JF

This job exists in order to ensure that the grounds and policies of the property are managed and maintained as a recognised landscape of outstanding historical importance, contributing to the property’s overall conservation and development, and its enjoyment by visitors.

• Ensuring the conservation and practical maintenance of the grounds, (excluding Gardens) etc., – whether through delegation to other staff/volunteers, or personal participation – in terms of ensuring best practice is followed in:
• Health & Safety
  • ensure you follow all relevant and appropriate Risk Assessments and that as part of the grounds team, operate to activity procedures
  • Complete all relevant Health, Safety and Welfare logs, relevant to the role , and ensure compliance with legislation where appropriate.
  • Assist in delivery of all operations to ensure all grounds are managed to reduce risk to the visiting public, other staff, buildings etc.
  • Have an awareness of specific environmental risks relevant to ground’s operations, e.g. Weils/Lyme’s Disease
• Ensure all work is delivered to the highest standard as agreed by the on‑site management and directed by Landscape Manager
• Working as a member of the property team and alongside the Northeast Ranger Service at times, in preparing the grounds for visitors’ enjoyment, this will include:
• Drainage works, conservation of the Property Health +Safety.
• Assist with waste disposal, (ranging from domestic waste bins to large scale skip and recycling)
• Grass Cutting
• Hedge Trimming
• Pathways, Boardwalk, small bridge repairs.
• Assisting in responding to faults identified during in‑house inspections/ insurance inspections
• Assisting with brush/ scrub/ tree clearance
• Road maintenance, (remedial work to pot‑holes)
• Fencing
• Repair & maintain signage
• Other tasks as required
• Recognition of the Trust’s Environmental Policy with respect to sustainable ground‑keeping activities, including energy, water, pesticide‑use & waste management;
• Assist with event set‑up and operations as required

Qualifications

• NPTC- PA1/PA6 Units in spraying or willingness to be trained
• First Aid certificated or willingness to be trained
• LANTRA certificated, or acceptable alternative in use of Agriculture machinery (mini tractor with attachments), Brush Cutters, and Strimmer’s or willingness to be trained
• A full clean driving license, valid for driving within the UK

Essential

• Sound knowledge of basic tool and machinery use and maintenance;
• Ability to learn good Health and Safety processes and procedures and the ability to work effectively within these processes;
• The ability and confidence to interact politely with visitors & skills in dealing with the wider public generally. The ability to represent the Trust when speaking with visitors.
• An understanding and commitment to the aims and objectives of the National Trust for Scotland.
• Living the values of the National Trust for Scotland and encourage colleagues to do the same
• The ability and willingness to understand others’ perspectives and to consider the impact of your actions on them and to adapt your actions as necessary.
• The ability and willingness to learn and try new things, to be flexible and step outside of your comfort zone.
• An open and honest way of communicating, ready to ask others for their ideas and to be open to hear and consider different points of view.
• A pro‑active approach to taking initiative and to driving forward ideas and projects designed to improve daily operations and deliver an exceptional visitor experience.

Desirable

• Experience of working within an estate team