Job title: Track Groundsperson
Reporting to: Track Foreman
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract (Full Time) up to December 2026
Role Purpose
Join our team in ensuring the provision of a safe and exceptional racing surface, jumps, and ancillary features such as stables and parade rings. Assist in maintaining and presenting the racecourse grounds and racing surface to the highest standards.
Leopardstown Racecourse is situated on a 220acre estate in south Dublin which demands meticulous maintenance. The responsibilities and competencies required for the role of Track Groundsperson at Leopardstown Racecourse include:
Key Responsibilities
Assist in the preparation and maintenance of the racing surface and associated areas throughout the year
by appropriate grass cutting, rolling, fertilising, scarifying, aeration, irrigation, power washing, etc.
Safe and effective operation of machinery.
Replacement of divots and filling holes with appropriate soil/sand mixtures.
Assist in the preparation of jumps, rails, stables, general grounds, etc to quality standards.
Apply fertilisers and, if qualified, spraying products safely and in accordance with label instructions.
Implement the racecourse watering policy.
Supervise race day casual staff when required.
Maintain awareness of biodiversity and environmental goals of the organisation.
Perform other necessary job duties as assigned.
Skills and Experience
Knowledge of soil and grass management/sportsturf.
Experience with irrigation or umbilical pumping/slurry systems preferred.
Proficiency in operating a range of grounds maintenance machinery safely.
Ability to perform basic routine maintenance of machinery and handheld equipment advantageous.
Chemical spraying qualification preferred but not essential.
Basic horse handling knowledge and industry familiarity advantageous.
Strong communication skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to work effectively as part of a dedicated
professional team.
Compensation and Benefits
Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
7% employer pension scheme.
25 days annual leave.
Company days and service leave days.
Continuous professional development and wellness programs.
AIR membership for free entry to all Irish race meetings.
Membership to the Association of Turfgrass Professionals Ireland.
Access to sports and social club activities.
Racing TV subscription discount.
As racing is a seven-day business, flexibility in relation to working hours is required. You will be required to work some weekends and evenings.
Core values
Respect
Ambition
Empowerment
Excellence
Integrity
Pride & Passion
Competencies
Customer Focus
Developing Self
Energy & Pace
Innovation & Change
Leadership
Team
HRI Competencies
HRI core competencies define what the company does best and how it expects work to be accomplished
Customer Focus
Knows who the customer is
Always interacts professionally with the customer and adapts own manner to suit individual customer
needs
Takes pride in delivering a high-quality service
Developing Self
Actively seeks to develop by seeking feedback to gain insights for required improvement and proactively
identifies skills gaps.
Develops self-awareness through being curious, listening and sharing with colleagues
Uses internal opportunities to learn about wider organisation along with knowledge of own role
Energy & Pace
Approaches every activity with a desire for success and a 'can do' attitude
Understands own goals and objectives and how these impact wider department objectives
Displays an understanding of the importance of deadlines and an ability to meet same, striving to surpass expectations while maintaining high standards for attention to detail and adhering to company procedures
Innovation & Change
Brings potential solutions rather than problems to manager/colleagues
Considers all activities to be worthy of review for effectiveness and efficiency of process
Adjusts positively to changing tasks or new responsibilities when needed and is comfortable with new
technologies
Leadership
Focuses on individual accountability in roles and takes responsibility for the successful completion of own
tasks
Shows initiative and energy to get things done
Is creative in approach and can think outside the box in terms of problem solving
Team
Builds relationships with team members and stakeholders
Shares knowledge with others and is open to learning from other colleagues
Illustrates willingness to help others and is approachable
HRI is an equal opportunities employer. Interview candidates will be provided with any necessary reasonable accommodations when called for interview.
