Caretaker and Groundsperson Vacancies

Position Description

Groundsperson 2025

Cornerstone Christian school is a Year 1-13 co-educational Integrated composite school with a

Christian special character.

We have a Christian special character and hence all our staff are expected to be Christian,

attend a local church and participate fully in the devotional nature of the school.

**Position**:Groundsperson***

**Reports to**: Executive Officer

**Liaises with**: Internal: Staff & Students

External: Parents, Local Businesses, Contractors Community Agencies,

General Public.

**Hours**: 8 hours per day

**Weeks**: 45 weeks per year (term time 40 weeks plus 5 weeks during the holiday

breaks, spread out over the year (as negotiated/required).

**Remuneration**:Salary to be negotiated with a base rate of the** **Living Wage**

**GROUNDSPERSON JOB OVERVIEW**
The Groundsperson is employed by Cornerstone Christian School to care for the school gardens

and grounds and carry out all duties according to the schedule, during the working hours as

agreed.

In the day-to-day operations the Groundsperson shall co-operate with the Principal and the

Deputy Principal /Executive Officer to ensure the effective care and maintenance of the school

gardens.

**SCHEDULE OF DUTIES**

The Groundsperson’s duties shall be performed as laid down within the Job Description.

**WAGES AND CONDITIONS**

As outlined in the Letter of Offer, and in the Individual Employment Agreement and _Secondary _
- and Area School Groundstaff Collective Agreement (CA) _

**ABSENTEEISM**

If the Groundsperson is unable to carry out their duties due to absenteeism, sickness or other

reason, the school is to be notified at the earliest practicable time.

**STANDARD OF DUTIES PERFORMED**
1. The standard of duties performed will be to the standard as determined by the Executive

Officer.

2. The Executive Officer has the delegated authority to determine standards of duties

performed.

**RELATIONSHIP WITH STUDENTS**
1. The Groundsperson shall not hesitate to instruct students to pick up rubbish when they

see them drop or instruct students to pick up and put away in a tidy manner any

equipment they may have been using.

2. Students are expected to talk respectfully to support staff. If students do not do so for

any reason, the Groundsperson shall inform the Deputy Principal immediately.

3. If people using the school grounds outside normal school hours are causing any

problems, the Groundsperson shall contact the Police and inform the Executive Officer

of their actions.

4. The Groundsperson shall avoid situations where they are alone with Cornerstone

students.

5. For a range of health and safety reasons, Cornerstone students must not enter the

caretaker’s shed.

**GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES**
1. Carry out all directions that the Executive Officer may request from day to day.

2. Take ownership of grounds and surrounds, will be some overlap with assisting the

caretaker with jobs requiring two persons.

3. The Principal’s or Executive Officer’s approval must be gained before any major works or

maintenance is done.

**OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH**
1. The Groundsperson is not to use any electrical equipment that is faulty but is to ensure

its repair by a qualified person.

2. The Groundsperson must not work at a height over 2.5m and is not to take any risks

when working at heights but is to use an appropriate step ladder or extension ladder,

which is in good condition. When in use, the base of the ladder is to be placed on level

ground and in a firm, safe position.

3. The Groundsperson is to use protective clothing whenever the need arises.

4. The Groundsperson is to ensure the safe storage of chemicals they may need for garden

care.

5. If the Groundsperson has an accident or near accident while at school the Executive

Officer must be notified as soon as possible.

**GENERAL DUTIES**
1. Responsible for safety and good order of grounds. Maintain all gardens including

weeding, pruning & watering etc where needed as well as general maintenance and

appearance.

2. Mowing lawns, weed-eating, gardens, maintaining mower and grounds equipment,

ensuring regular servicing, oiling, sharpening etc.

3. Able to fulfil simple to medium complexity general maintenance roles.

4. Responsible for rubbish, green-waste, and recycling.

5. Introduce, implement, and maintain recycling system school wide (involve staff and

students).

6. Potentially assist with increasing students’ knowledge in conjunction with projects such

as ‘garden to table’ and potentially work with ‘at risk’ persons to achieve productivity in

a different learning environment.

7. Source trees, plants, fertiliser etc.

8. Long-term, assist with development of sustainable garden for use with school

curriculum.

9. Ensure health and safety regs followed and records maintained.

10. Oversee maintenance and operation of mowers, tools, etc.

11. Liaise with contractors.

12. Purchasing of required supplies.