Groundsperson (Gardener)

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Westminster is an Early Learning to Year 12, coeducational day and boarding, Uniting Church school with a
proud history and an exciting future. We commit to helping all students and staff achieve more than they
thought possible through an adventurous education, which takes place anytime our students are challenged
in their learning and when staff explore new opportunities to improve their profession. Since opening in 1961,
Westminster’s vibrant sense of community has shaped our welcoming, down-to-earth character, enriched by
School values of being brave, humble, kind, authentic, resilient and curious.

Position name Groundsperson / Gardener

Area of School Property Services

Employment Status Permanent Full Time

Employment Conditions
Westminster School Teaching Staff and School Assistants Enterprise
Agreement 2024

Key Relationships

The Groundsperson functionally reports to the Grounds Coordinator
on a day-to-day basis. Responsible to the Head of Facilities the
Groundsperson is part of the Property Services Team and works
closely with other team members. This position liaises and has contact
with all areas of the school and a wide range of staff.

All general staff are ultimately responsible to the Principal via the
Director of Business Operations.

Position Objective:
To maintain the School’s sports ovals, courts, grounds and general areas to present in optimum condition to
serve the School’s requirements and to provide an attractive and harmonious environment for students, staff
and visitors.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Gardens, lawn, ovals and courts

• Undertake a range of tasks to maintain and develop the School’s gardens and lawns, including top

dressing, pruning, mulching, fertilizing, planting, weed control, mowing, edging, hand watering etc

• Install, maintain and repair irrigation and landscape design and installation as required

• Mow, line mark and prepare sports grounds for sporting activities

• Ensure that all outdoor tennis and netball courts are kept clean and free of dirt and grime with nets,

goalposts or backboards in good condition for sporting activities

• Apply fertiliser and pest control according to the turf maintenance programs to provide consistent

high-quality sports surfaces in the short and long term

• Install, maintain and repair irrigation as required

• Maintain all specialised turf and associated machinery
  

2. General responsibilities

• Clean up/blow all areas including roads, car parks, paved areas, around all buildings etc

• Rubbish bin collection on a rotational basis

• Assist with set up of school events, such as the annual fair, sports days, Christmas lights and other

functions as arranged

• Undertake a range of preventative maintenance as required

• Respond to maintenance requests as appropriate

• Work in a safe manner, adhering to WHS Safe Operating Procedures

• Assist and support other Property Services team members as required

• Contribute to a positive team environment

• Other duties as required by the Head of Facilities and/or Grounds Coordinator from time to time

Key Selection Criteria: Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated experience in the delivery of horticultural, grounds, event and playing/sporting fields’ services

• Excellent organisational and time management skills

• Knowledge and experience in maintaining gardens, lawn maintenance and sports grounds

• Sound knowledge of the use and maintenance of relevant equipment

• Sound knowledge of irrigation procedures, including installation, operation and maintenance

• Current First Aid Certificate
• Relevant Horticultural or similar qualifications
• Current drivers licence

Key Selection Criteria: Personal Qualities

• A team player with good interpersonal and communication skills.

• An ability to develop productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Customer service focussed.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a fast-changing environment, to work productively with limited

supervision and work to deadlines
• Application of initiative and a “can do” attitude.
• A strong commitment to work health and safety and to working in a safe manner.
• Self-motivated with an optimistic approach to work.

Safety and Wellbeing
All staff must:

• Take reasonable care of, and cooperate with actions taken to protect, the health and safety of both

themselves and others

• Report all accidents, incidents and hazards to their supervisors as soon as is practicable

• Read and abide by all WHS policies
  

Conditions of Employment

• All applicants must be eligible to work in Australia

• All staff must satisfy child protection screening and adhere to Westminster’s Child Safety and Wellbeing policy

which includes holding a current Working With Children Clearance.

• A 6 month probationary period applies to all new employees
  

Updated: September 2024