Groundsperson

A modern term for Groundsman, becoming more frequently used from about 2019, but effectively superseded by the term Groundskeeper by 2024.

What does a groundsperson typically do?
This will depend on where they are employed (or volunteer at), but in general they will be doing a role that is nearly all outdoors, involving lot of manual, physical, work. The types of area worked on might include sports pitches, lawns, general amenity grass, wildflower areas, parkland and children’s play areas. The surfaces might be natural turf, artificial turf or reinforced-hybrid turf. In addition, a groundsperson may also be involved with maintaining bedding displays, shrubberies and ornamental trees: this work can include planting out as well as routine maintenance work.

A key activity will be mowing grass, which during the main growing season might be half of their workload.

Other important activities include lifting, moving and applying loads and materials, including fertiliser, grass seed, top-dressings, irrigation pipes and sprinklers, and sports equipment such as goal posts, nets and flags. The application of pesticides may be required, although if this is carried out then the groundsperson doing it must have a certificate of competence.

The use of pedestrian operated machinery will be common, involving mowers (including trimmers), scarifiers and aerators. The use of line marker for marking out sports pitches, pushing wheelbarrows as a basic means of transporting some loads, snow clearance, gritting in frosty / icy weather, to painting goal posts and fencing, to treating boards around some sports pitches and the sweeping of paths of debris.. Being able to prepare and repair ground, ready for seeding or the laying of turf will typically be carried out at the end of a playing season or when area have been damaged.

The use of ride-on machinery might be required, including ride-on mowers, the use of compact or medium sized tractors, ATVs, utility vehicles, along with the attachments.

With the work being outdoors, a groundsperson will be expected to work in all weathers, dry, wet, cold, hot, and windy days. A suitable range of protective clothing is provided by an employer to help a groundsperson adequately carry out their role during inclement weather.