Introduction
The job involves the provision of an effective
consultancy and advisory service to the various client groups in
relation to work contracts for provision of grounds maintenance
services which have been awarded by the council following
tender.
Work Environment
Most of the work is office based although a substantial
amount of time (50% or more) is spent at various locations in the
local authority area, both indoors and outdoors.
Daily Activities
These chiefly concern the monitoring of contract
performance to ensure that quality standards are met. This includes
assessing, programming and monitoring specified works, the
measurement of completed works and authorisation of payments for
both contracted and additional works. Contract officers liaise
regularly with both contractors and clients and are required to
issue default notices for non-compliance or when performance is
unsatisfactory. They also deal with enquiries and complaints from
customers and members of the general public.
Other duties include liaison with technical and professional
staff on the supervision of specialist works and the undertaking of
contract related administrative duties. Some working outside of
normal hours including occasional evenings and weekends for
attendance at meetings etc may be required from time to time.
Skills & Interests
Officers need to be comfortable working in an outdoor
environment whilst an empathy with nature and a detailed knowledge
and understanding of conservation and sustainability issues would
be advantageous.
In addition they should possess good organisation and
communication skills for dealing with and producing solutions to
on-site problems. They will need to be tactful and diplomatic
particularly when handling customer complaints and when conveying
both these and default notices to contractors.
Increasingly the post involves the use of IT and applicants need
to have some computer literacy and keyboard skills together with
knowledge of quality assurance and health and safety.
Entry Requirements
Applicants need to possess some horticultural experience
and a relevant qualification such as BTEC/SQA First Diploma or
S/NVQ. They will preferably possess or be willing to study for a
relevant higher level qualification such as BTEC/SQA National
Diploma in Amenity Horticulture or HND in Horticulture and have or
be seeking to attain membership of an appropriate professional body
such as the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management (ILAM).
Future Prospects & Opportunities
Natural progression would be into a management post.
Further Information & Services
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com) or in your local
library, careers office or school careers library.