Job Summary Brighton College is seeking to appoint a Grounds Apprentice Reporting to: Head Groundsperson Main Purpose of the role: The Grounds team are responsible for maintaining sports facilities over three sites, including six rugby/football pitches all with integrated irrigation systems, two grass cricket squares (including 14 hybrid pitches), four hard courts used for tennis/netball, an artificial surface used for cricket nets/hockey drills as well as surrounding areas and lawns. As a Brighton College Grounds Apprentice you will train to become a Groundsperson of the future. The apprenticeship will be completed in partnership with Keits. Apprenticeship Overview: A Sports Turf Operative, which might also be referred to as a Groundsperson or Grounds Maintenance Operative. This occupation exists to ensure that public and private sports facilities are available for use by the public and ensures facilities are available to support the Government policy of increasing physical activity. A Sports Turf Operative is responsible for the maintenance and renovation and overall appearance of one or more sports turf surfaces in accordance with the needs of the particular sport. It is their job to maintain quality playing surfaces, with the capacity to sustain play all year round. Key Responsibilities: Undertake and successfully complete a Groundsperson apprenticeship qualification (exact nature of course to be determined according to the individual); Maintain quality playing surfaces to enable year-round use for both matches and training. This will include the safe use of a range of equipment and machinery such as mowers, scarifiers, aerators and other specialist turf care equipment. You will also use hand tools as well as pedestrian operated, ride on and tractor mounted implements. Knowledge and Understanding: Compliance with environmental/ health and safety legislation and regulations; Compliance with policies and procedures – company, client, health and safety risk assessments, rules of the game from the different Governing Bodies of Sport; The identification and correct application of materials, tools, equipment and machinery used in maintenance and renovation activities; Identification and understanding of different grasses, soil types, weeds, pests, diseases, turf disorders, artificial surfacing material, underlays, infill material, turf and soil reinforcement material, line marking materials; The principles of photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration in the growth and development of plants; The impact of weather, ground conditions and usage on pitch quality and playing quality; The different Performance Quality Standards for a range of different sports turf surfaces; How to minimise waste and reduce environmental impacts; How to monitor, record and report basic grounds maintenance findings. Person Specification: Motivated, enthusiastic & passionate about delivering high quality sports pitches; Attention to detail to ensure work completed is fit for purpose; Safety Orientated – ensuring pupil safety at all times; Team player – able to work as part of a team, to interact and communicate effectively as well as listen and absorb instructions. Desirable: A full, clean driving licence. Hours of Work: 40 hours per week, working Monday to Friday inclusive. The winter hours (which commence on the last Sunday of October) are 8.00am to 4.00pm, with a 30-minute unpaid lunchbreak each day. The summer hours (which commence on the last Sunday of March) are 8.00am to 5.00pm with a 60-minute unpaid lunch break each day. As part of the role, occasional weekend work and flexibility in hours will be needed to support sports fixtures and College events. Remuneration: The Brighton College Apprenticeship rate of pay is £10 per hour for the first 12 months, then National Minimum Wage/ National Living Wage dependant on age thereafter. Holidays: 23 days, plus bank holidays (of which holiday must be taken during school holidays). Benefits: Complimentary lunch is provided. Free tickets to the College’s music, dance and drama performances. Job specific Learning and Development programme available to all employees. Life Cover is provided whilst working at Brighton College after successfully passing probation period. Brighton College provides a contributory pension scheme with matching contributions from the employer up to 9%, which all eligible employees will be automatically enrolled into within three months of commencement of employment. Wellbeing: Significantly subsidised gym membership for the School of Science and Sport is available, which includes access to yoga and Pilates classes and use of the gym and swimming pool. Personalised health and wellbeing consultations. Meditation sessions. Generous sickness policy. Access to books, magazines and DVDs from the College Library. Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities: Brighton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure, the receipt of satisfactory references, the College’s pre-employment medical questionnaire, relevant original ID documentation and examination certificates. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children. The College is committed to ensuring that the recruitment and selection of staff is conducted in a manner that is systematic, efficient and effective and promotes equality of opportunity. Our full equal opportunities policy is available on the ‘Careers’ page of our website.