Latest News General Vacancy: Deputy Head Groundsperson

Vacancy: Deputy Head Groundsperson

Wigan Warriors and Wigan Athletic are seeking to appoint a Deputy Head Groundsperson to join our teams.

The Deputy Head Grounds Person’s role purpose is to support and assist the Head Grounds Person in maintaining the sports pitches and grounds at both Wigan Warriors and Wigan Athletic to a high standard, ensuring that the grounds adhere to the relevant policies, health and safety legislation, environmental regulations and best practice at all times.

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours, flexible in line with business needs.
Contract: Permanent.
Location: Across all Wigan Warriors and Wigan Athletic sites.
Reports to: Head Groundsperson.

Role Responsibilities:

Grounds Team:

Supervise and carry out the upkeep and presentation of the groups playing surfaces along with the estate. This includes verges, artificial surfaces, hedges, car parks, paths and road side grass areas.
Supervise and carry out routine preparation and maintenance work in relation to playing surfaces
Complete all preparatory and cultivation work to maintain safe quality playing surfaces.
Provide feedback on team performance, while also involved in developing team members skills.
Assist the Head Grounds Person in delivering the pest control, weed control, seeding, fungicide, fertilisation and nutrition program for the playing surfaces
Ensure that the initial marking out and setting up of playing surfaces is to a high standard.
Take responsibility for ordering all products and equipment in the absence of the Head Grounds Person, ensuring that the correct level of authorisation is sought and the purchase order process is followed.
Undertake general grounds maintenance tasks in relation to the playing surface and surrounding areas.
To set-out & over mark pitches & pre-determined areas ready for play.
Reinstatement of pitches- Divot repair work following play
Irrigation – Set-up & use both travelling & automated irrigation systems.
Mowing- Regular mowing using a variety of mowing equipment.
Aeration, brushing, seeding- Use of tractor units & utility vehicles with a wide range of attachments utilised for turf care maintenance.
Match day preparation – to ensure the Set-up goals, flags, etc. for scheduled matches at all venues and at all levels.

Health and Safety:

Fully endorse, demonstrate and carry out the company’s health and safety policy.
Comply with all company policies and statutory regulations relating to health and safety, safe working practices, hygiene, cleanliness, fire and COSHH. This will include your awareness of any specific hazards in your work place, and assist if required with the amending of risk assessments periodically.
Have a full knowledge of procedures for evacuation with regard to fire.
Identify and report maintenance requirements or hazards within the workplace and encourage any workforce to do the same to avoid injury.

Supportive of Group Environment and Policies:

Cooperate fully with colleagues and be flexible when assisting them in response to business needs of the group.
Ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relations amongst employees and customers.

Essential Responsibilities:

Qualifications:

Level 2 National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications in both Horticulture and Sports Turf Maintenance or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge gained through experience.
Hold a full UK driving license.

Personal Qualities:

Excellent communication skills.
Motivated by a passion for quality and great service delivery.
Ability to successfully work in a team.
Enthusiastic.
Willing to learn and continuously develop.
Self-motivated.
Assertive, calm with the ability to work well under pressure.
Flexible to meet the requirements of the management and coaching staff.

Skills and Experience:

Previous practical grounds work experience, preferably gained in a sports environment.
Awareness of relevant Health and Safety legislation.
Willing and capable of carrying out medium to heavy manual work tasks in all weather conditions. May include walking behind mowing machines for long periods.