Groundsperson

Position: Groundsperson
Commencing Date:  As soon as practicable
Salary Range: $28.14 - $29.11 per hour pending experience
Tenure: Part Time, Fixed Term
Closing Date: Monday, 25 September 2023 unless filled prior

St Francis Catholic School, Hughenden is a co-educational Catholic school located in the rural township of Hughenden. St Francis is a small and close-knit community with 47 students from Prep to Year 6. Established in October 1900 with the arrival of the Good Samaritan Sisters, St Francis School is today administered by a lay principal and staff. The school’s culture is underpinned by the heritage of the Franciscan Friars and St Francis of Assisi who said, "Where there is love and wisdom there is neither fear nor ignorance." St Francis Catholic School strives to always model St Francis and Jesus by creating a sense of belonging for everyone, a community of self-disciplined people, a place of pardon and peace and a community of service within the larger social community. The school’s badge features the Southern Cross, representing the school’s western Catholic identity, and the motto, "Walk in Light".

About the role
St Francis Catholic School, Hughenden is seeking an experienced Groundsperson to commence as soon as practicable. This role is a part time (10 hours per week), 12 month fixed term contract position. 

The Groundsperson, under the direction of the Principal, contributes to the effective and efficient operation and environment of the school by providing a high level of maintenance and upkeep of the school grounds. The Groundsperson will be required to assess repairs quickly to enable maximum safety at all times. The Groundsperson will work with limited supervision under the direction of the Principal.

Key Accountabilities

Typical duties performed may include, but are not limited to:

• Mowing, whipper snipping and fertilising lawns
• Repairing and maintaining irrigation systems
• Weeding, planting, fertilising and maintenance of gardens
• Maintaining and cleaning grounds and equipment
• Maintaining security lighting
• Assisting with all general building maintenance, painting etc. as required
• Identifying and reporting defects and hazards as soon as practically possible
• Some deliveries to and from the school, as required.

Carry out minor repairs to the school property and equipment, including:

• Replacing tap washers and other general rectifications
• Repairing leaking toilets, windows, desks, chairs, other minor carpentry and paint work
• Assisting with marking playing fields
• Assisting with the set up and dismantling of tents and equipment for carnivals and assemblies.

The position will be required to work within Workplace Health and Safety guidelines.

Any other task as reasonably directed to assist the effective functioning of the school.

Experience

• Recent experience in a grounds/services/operational role or similar
• Understanding and commitment to Workplace Health and Safety legislation and professional regulations to reduce the risk of harm to self and others relative to the role of a cleaner
• Ability to follow safety precautions that may involve the use of protective equipment where work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials, machinery, use of tools and other equipment.

Skills

• Manoeuvring within the school environment appropriate to the position – demonstrating agility and adherence to manual handling techniques
• Ability to communicate effectively to meet the necessary standards with respect to clarity, accuracy and professionalism appropriate to the position
• Ability to prioritise workloads and manage multiple tasks with competing timelines
• A demonstrated ability to develop and sustain productive working relationships.

Attributes

• Enthusiastic, energetic, flexible with a proactive attitude
• Flexible and responsive to the needs of the school community and driven to achieve the best outcomes
• Ability to accept responsibility for own work.

Mandatory Criteria

• Current Working with Children Suitability Card - The successful candidate will require a paid Blue Card before commencement as per the No Card, No Start policy developed by Queensland Government.
• Undertake Workplace Health and Safety Training
• Current Driver’s Licence
• Ability to travel within the Catholic Diocese of Townsville
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role in a safe manner

Some employees may be subject to pre-employment medical assessments during the selection process. Depending on the nature of the position, it may be necessary for successful applicants to be immunised against certain preventable diseases in order to minimise the risk of transmission.

Desirable Criteria

• Relevant certificate or trade qualifications.

Please see the Position Description for more information. 

Our Organisation
Townsville Catholic Education supports a diverse region extending from Townsville to the Burdekin and Whitsunday regions in the south, and north to Ingham and Halifax, south-west to Winton, and west to the border with the Northern Territory, encompassing Mount Isa and several small, isolated western towns and east to Palm Island. Townsville Catholic Education provides a supportive, flexible working environment where care for the individual is an important part of our ethos.  We employ motivated people who want to work together to produce excellent outcomes for our students. Our staff is recognised as being central to achieving our mission.  

How to apply

• Complete the application form including your two nominated professional referees (name, position title and email address)
• Upload a cover letter to support your application
• Upload a current resume

Applications during the shortlisting phase will be kept confidential. 

Applications close 3.00pm Monday, 25 September 2023 unless filled prior.

View other vacancies here.