Purpose of the Role
• Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do.
• Undertake skilful activities in relation to grounds maintenance and grave preparations in an effective, efficient and economical manner
Responsibility for Resources
• Responsibility for vehicles, equipment, machinery and goods relevant to the Grounds Maintenance Service
 
Main Duties
Responsibilities to include:
• Driving and operating heavy / complex machinery and equipment requiring specialist skills i.e. ride on lawn mower, wood chippers, hedge cutters, chain saws and the safe use of specialist shoring (ground support) equipment during grave opening works
• Operating water pumps
• Traffic management
• Undertake skilful activities that include recognizing grounds maintenance work and interpreting activities 
Task
• Ensure that the work is carried out in a safe manner and in accordance with all risk assessments and safe operating procedures.
• During adverse weather conditions and in conjunction with Senior Team Leader responsibility for deciding to either proceed, alter or suspend operations.
• Be aware of the requirements of Natural Resources Wales and other regulators with regards use of weedkilling chemicals
• Opening and closing of the depot and responsibility for reporting any issues on site.
• Use of Technology to report progress of set tasks, and to report any deviations from work schedule to line manager
• All aspects of grounds maintenance within schools along with marking out of hard and soft play areas
• All aspects of grounds maintenance within Care Homes adhering to strict security protocols to protect the welfare of residents.
• Report to line manager, any new notifiable weeds sites encountered during the maintenance of areas. Namely Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and Ragwort.
• Report to line manager any variation in site details from the previous visit which could alter the work detail being mainly scaffolding work, building work, general obstructions
• Be confident to re-evaluate the most efficient manner to complete the route / timetable in a given area when necessary to cope with road closures, bad weather and prioritising urgent requests ie grave work.
• Contribute with the design of routes and the implementation of any new routes work pattern
• Cut overgrowth / weeds in busy urban areas / lanes working safely and managing traffic and pedestrians.
• Effective time management to ensure the route / timetable is completed.
• Be aware of the 1981 Wildlife & Countryside Act. To be vigilante in protecting wild life from Grounds Maintenance undertakings, in particular, nesting birds.
• Have a good level of understanding about natural fauna within work areas, to protect and enhance biodiversity. The Grounds Maintenance Service participates in trialling and creating new locations to enhance natural wildlife corridors to support biodiversity.
• Assist with staff induction to include mentoring of new full time and seasonal staff.

 Undertake training in the safe use of the following equipment / tasks:
• Traffic management ( 12D M1 qualification )
• Use of Reactec HAVS equipment
• Wood chipper operation
• Telescopic Pole saw use
• Chainsaw work
• Weed kill PA 1 & PA 6
• Knotweed treatment
• Trench support for graves
Undertake the following work as and when required:
• Painting and repairs of benches along with public toilets and play equipment
• Assembling and fixing of recycled seating furnishings
• Fencing using various methods “Chain Link” “Post & Rail
• Stone walling “Dry Construction” or with mortar
• Creating and laying of concrete or tarmac for footpaths
• Pot hole repairs with Tarmac
• Situating and fitting new public litter bins

 Vehicles & Machinery
• To comply with the Authority’s Policies, undertake pre-use checks to ensure road going vehicles are roadworthy before use. Any issues or defects must be reported to line manager immediately.
• Be licensed to drive a BE class vehicle in a safe and courteous manner in accordance with road speed limits and within the requirements of the law. Work element could require the towing of a trailer or other towable equipment.
• Ensure correct procedures are followed in relation to carrying out daily checks, maintenance work and use of machinery/equipment, and to report defects and problems immediately.
• Attend training and have a good level of understanding about various / specialist equipment such as ride on mowers ,wood chippers, and any other equipment required to undertake grounds maintenance duties
• Undertake alterations to equipment settings and minor repairs as per training received.
• Responsible for the daily maintenance of those items of equipment, engine oil, water, fuel type/levels, tyre pressures.
• Ensure adequate stock of machine parts / spares by updating line manager of stock levels (Strimmer Cord 2- stroke oil, strimmer heads etc)
• Manage on a day to day basis the interface with the Fleet Service regarding established schedules and arrange for vehicles to be presented to the workshop on time for six weekly inspections, MOT’s and repairs.

 Health and Safety
• Responsibility to protect the safety of self, co-workers and members of the public.
• To work in accordance with safe working operational procedures, risk assessments and Council policies in accordance with the employee's responsibilities as set out in the 1974 Health and Safety Act.
• To wear personal protective equipment including high visibility jackets, ballistic trousers, safety footwear and any relevant protective clothing or clothing.
• Participate in Health and Safety audits and demonstrate an understanding of the risks and compliance.
• To report and assist in the completion of HS11 accident / violent incident / near miss / environmental incidents . as well as any insurance forms.
• Contribute to risk assessments and working procedures, and demonstrate risk awareness and compliance.
• Promote a safe working culture.
Administration
• General administration relevant to the service. Completion of time sheets and holiday requests.
• Ensure that daywork sheets are completed correctly for invoicing purposes.
• Report on work progress via work sheets / mobile phone and photographic conformation on work completed i.e. before and after to enable updating on IT systems. Reporting must be accurate and detailed in order to produce customer reports.
Customer Care
• Ensuring that the highest level of customer care is maintained – Engage confidently and enthusiastically with the public and businesses, be able to discuss various grounds maintenance elements while working to a high standard and being knowledgeable about contract specifics
 (Community Councils, Town Council’s, Byw yn Iach, Adra)
• Dealing with and assisting bereaved members of the general public, in a respectful and empathetic way while undertaking cemetery duties.
• Undertake all discussions with members of the public, other departments and external customers in a non-confrontational manner.
 
 Corporate
• Responsibility for self-development.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
• Operate within the Council’s policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
• Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
• Commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s Carbon Footprint.
• Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job.
• Responsibility to report any worry or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused
The above indicates an outline of duties only, in order to give an idea of the level of responsibility entailed. This job description is not exhaustive in detail, and job duties may change from time to time without changing its fundamental nature and level of responsibility.
Special Circumstances. e.g. the need to work unsociable hours, special working arrangements etc.
 
 Staff could be delegated to assist with the Highways Dept to assist in emergency winter maintenance this could involve working in inclement weather to clear ice, snow and flooding.
From time to time the post holder will be required to work overtime.