Grounds Person

Job Title: Grounds Person

Department Estates and Facilities Directorate

Accommodation and Commercial Services

Grade: Grade 4

Salary range:  £25,844-£26,663

Working arrangements: Permanent

Full time (35 hours)

Five days out of seven

There may be some requirement to work evenings and weekends, as business demands

Participation in the on-call rota for out-of-hours emergency situations, particularly in relation to the University’s winter maintenance programme.

Onsite working only

The University 

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Role and the Department

Durham University owns an estate covering 251 hectares (ha), including, woodland and scrub (112ha), farming and grazing land (53ha), amenity grassland (27ha), as well as wetlands and river line habitats.

It supports a rich diversity of species and habitats, including many red listed species of conservation concern and numerous areas of species- rich habitat.

As Grounds Person, you will undertake all aspects of gardens and grounds maintenance including college grounds and heritage planting at Palace Green linking in and working collaboratively with the Biodiversity Team, in line with DU Biodiversity Strategy,

You will become a member of a professional, customer focussed team, delivering exemplary standards of grounds and landscape management. 

The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year, including time off between Christmas and New Year.

• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.

• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. 

• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.

• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community.

• Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).

• If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.

• We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply

To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for: