Apprentice Groundsperson

at  Massey University

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Accountability • Competently complete training assessments, both practical on-
site training and written coursework, according to the timescales
set by Primary ITO and your appointed training assessor as part

of:

• NZ Certificate Horticulture Services (level 4) with versions for

Amenity & Turf.

• The maintenance of turf areas including fine and sports turf

(natural and synthetic) such as grass-cutting, aeration, irrigation,
renovation and repairs, weed control, fertiliser and other chemical

applications.

• Undertake a range of horticultural duties, such as, planting,

pruning, seeding, grass-cutting, weed control and maintenance of

landscaped areas.

• Undertake tree management including the use of chainsaw

(competency training will be provided), planting and maintenance

of hard/soft landscaping.

• Assist in the erection, maintenance and dismantling of equipment

for major events on campus e.g., sporting events etc.

• Operate powered tools, both electrical and engine driven,

including hand-held, pedestrian-operated, ride-on and tractor-
mounted. Undertake routine operator maintenance of all grounds
equipment and machinery (including irrigation systems), ensuring

the security of gardening equipment and associated buildings.

• Undertake external cleaning of all litter, empty bins, clear leaves,

debris from roads, paths and grounds including the recycling
disposal of waste and clearing up after experiencing severe
weather conditions.
Person • An aptitude to embrace and implement new ways of working,
problem solving and time management skills.

Specification

• The ability to communicate clearly.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to the University’s Policies, Procedures, and

Regulations.

• An ability to produce high quality work under pressure and meet

deadlines.

• The ability to keep sensitive information confidential.
• High personal and professional standards.

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• A high degree of initiative.
• The capacity to work independently and as a team.
• Self-motivation and a commitment to continuous improvement

and self-development.

• Follow University employment policies and comply with Health

and Safety procedures that indicate when/how tasks should be

completed.

• Take responsibility for the maintenance/security of university

resources including grounds, gardening equipment and

associated buildings.

• Follow set accountability procedures to ensure that low value

supplies/resources are available to meet work requirements.

Ability to keep records and make elementary calculations.

• Carry out some planning to ensure adequate resources and

equipment are in place and sufficient time is allocated to an
activity in order to meet objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Qualifications: A sound secondary school education with NCEA 2 standard of English
/mathematics and basic biology would be desirable.
Experience: Interest in working outdoors, with plants, soils and machinery.
Ability to demonstrate a passion for growing plants or range of field sports
would be desirable.
Capabilities: Behavioural
Communication Essential • Identifies the primary means of communication and their

appropriateness for different occasions.

• Demonstrates the ability to speak, write and present clearly.
• Applies the concept of audience analysis to deliver relevant

communications.

• Seeks help to understand protocols for communicating to

audiences outside the team
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Working Together • Works with key stakeholders internally and externally. Knows
Essential when to apply confidentiality. Works with key stakeholders

internally and externally. Applies confidentiality when required.

• Adapts interaction style appropriate to different situations and

people.

• Understands the factors for high performance, and creates positive

partnerships and cohesive teams

• Works to understand alternative points of view to guide productive

working relationships.
Service Centric Essential • Acts with the internal/external stakeholder or customer in mind,
seeks to understand and deliver on customer perceptions and

expectations.

• Able to respond to common stakeholder queries and problems or

escalate if required.

• Responds to unexpected stakeholder requests with a sense of

urgency and positive action.

• Provides a level of customer centric service excellence that

contributes to the department’s objectives.
Capabilities: Technical
Accuracy and Attention to • Identifies tasks or outputs that require accuracy and detail-level

Detail Desirable attention.

• Processes large amounts of detailed information with good

accuracy.

• Utilises specific approaches and tools for checking and cross-

checking outputs.

• Develops and uses checklists to ensure that information goes out

error-free.

• Accurately gauges the impact and cost of errors, omissions, and

oversights. • Learns from mistakes and applies lessons learned.
Priority Setting Desirable • Understands basic concepts of time and priority management in
relation to role
Information Capture • Identifies information capture needs in own area.

Please refer the Job description for details