Horndean Parish Council - Vacancy for an Estate Warden

Name of recruiting organisation

Horndean Parish Council

Employed role/Volunteer role

Employed

Permanent role/Fixed term role

Permanent

Location:

Horndean based,  predominantly working outside

Salary:

£25,584 - £27,711 (Depending on experience & qualifications)

Hours:

The hours of work for contractual purposes are 37 hours per week. Working hours are 08:30 to 16:30 Monday to Thursday and 08:30 to 16:00 on a Friday.

Evening and weekend working is occasionally required (2-3 occasions per year) for which compensatory time off will be given.

Our council and the role:

Horndean Parish Council is responsible for managing and maintaining 60 hectares of public land. We are currently recruiting a full-time permanent member of staff with horticultural and grounds maintenance experience.

Duties associated with the role will include tree and hedge maintenance, re-stocking and managing shrubs, flower beds, and hanging baskets, as well as other routine grounds maintenance tasks.  The role includes the management of the nature reserves with brush cutting, scrub clearance, and larger tree maintenance.

The post holder will hold a full driving licence and confident to drive a Transit Tipper and a Ranger 4X4. Knowledge of nature conservation and countryside management, as well as experience in managing public amenity areas, is preferable.

Duties will include:

     About the role/main responsibilities 

    •  Undertake a range of activities across all Parish owned sites including general maintenance such as mowing, strimming, infrastructure repairs, minor tree works, managing shrub and flower beds, co-ordinating with our weekly conservation volunteer group, site inspections, litter picking and bin emptying.
    • Able to deal with enquiries and health and safety issues as they arise.
    • Make sure our sites are clean and all facilities are kept in a safe useable condition.
    • Assist with conservation tasks including seasonal grazing, heathland and woodland improvement works, downland management, invasive species control.
    • Carry out all duties with an awareness and understanding of safety requirements.

     Other responsibilities include:

    • To represent the Parish Council in all areas of its open space provisions, as required, to the highest possible standard.
    • To take responsibility for site presentation to a high standard, through litter picking, cleaning of signage and repair of defective structures onsite. Facilitating visitor access, helping with general enquiries and protecting assets from theft or damage.
    • Carry out day to day practical site management and maintenance in order to comply with site management plans aims and objectives.
    • To maintain Parish Council infrastructure and outdoor furniture, (fences, boardwalks, notice boards, seats, etc.) ensuring that they are kept clean, tidy and in a good state of repair.
    • Ensure sites are inspected at regular intervals, for security reasons, and to ensure all appropriate safety checks are undertaken, all in order to ensure safe and well managed sites.
    • To maintain records, inventories and safety inspections for tools and equipment to comply with health and safety. 
    •   To ensure that all Horndean Parish Council vehicles and machinery are maintained, to undertake basic vehicle/machinery checks in accordance with health and safety requirements.
    • To recognise and be aware of the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work act as well as Fire and Safety regulations and ensure that these are observed and regularly carried out.
    • To maintain routine paperwork and records in accordance with council policy. This will include checks on vehicles, machinery and premises, as well as the daily task management system. 
    • To be prepared to undertake physically demanding manual labour and work outside in adverse weather conditions.

      • This job description is not a comprehensive schedule of all tasks and duties that are required to be undertaken. Accordingly in addition to the duties specified the Estate Warden will also be required to undertake any other duties commensurate with the status of the post. The Estate Warden will be required to pursue a programme of continuous professional development

    The ideal candidate will have/be:

    The post holder will hold a full driving license and confident to drive a Transit Tipper and a Ranger 4X4. Knowledge of nature conservation and countryside management, as well as experience in managing public amenity areas, is preferable.

    ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES

    DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES

    Educational Qualifications
    •  6 GCSE’s including Maths, English
    •  Horticulture or Grounds Keeping qualifications
    •  Good knowledge of practical habitat management for nature conservation
    •  Full UK driving licence
    •  Evidence of a commitment to continuing professional development
    •  Willingness to obtain appropriate qualifications in respect of tools and equipment
    •  NPTC qualification in chainsaw use (CS30,CS31)
    •  First Aid at Work certificate
    •  PA1 & PA6 certificates
    •  LANTRA Cert - brush cutters and strimmer’s

    Team Working
    •  Work well as part of a team
    •  Be prepared for lone working for part of the role

    Personal Attributes
    • Physically fit and able to work   outside in all weathers
    •  Hardworking, trustworthy and a team player
    •  Well motivated, with a passion for the outdoors
    •  Good communication skills

    Experience
    •  At least 18 months experience in a similar role
    •  Machinery maintenance knowledge

    What we offer you in return:

    Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme.

    How to find out more details:

    For more information and to view a full job description and person specification, please visit the Horndean Parish Council website at www.horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk.

    Alternatively, call Carla Baverstock-Jones – Chief Officer on 02392 597766 or email contact@horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk

    Closing date:

    1st May 2025

    How to apply:

    (No CVs will be accepted, application form only).

    For more information and to view a full job description and person specification, please visit the Horndean Parish Council website at www.horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk

    Alternatively, call Carla Baverstock-Jones – Chief Officer on 02392 597766 or email contact@horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk