Job DescriptionEstate Maintenance & Grounds Officer
Location: Oakhaven Estate, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Waterford
Employment type: Full-time
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm, including a 30-minute unpaid meal break
Reporting to: Managing Director, with day-to-day direction from the Manager
Pay: €19–€22 per hour, depending on relevant experience and qualifications
Annual equivalent: Approximately €39,520–€45,760 gross per annum
Bonus: Discretionary company bonus scheme may apply.
Role purpose
Oakhaven Estate is seeking a practical, dependable and safety-conscious Estate Maintenance & Grounds Officer to take responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance of the estate’s buildings, gardens and grounds.
The successful candidate will have hands-on experience in general maintenance, gardening and groundskeeping, together with a good working knowledge of workplace health and safety.
This position requires someone who can work independently, identify problems early, prioritise competing tasks and maintain the estate to a consistently high standard.
Key responsibilitiesBuilding and estate maintenance
- Carry out routine inspections of the estate’s buildings, facilities and equipment.
- Complete general repairs, including minor plumbing, carpentry, painting, decorating and fixture repairs.
- Implement and maintain a planned preventative maintenance schedule.
- Respond promptly to breakdowns, defects and urgent maintenance issues.
- Identify work that requires a qualified contractor and report or arrange it appropriately.
- Assist with supervising external contractors and confirm that work has been completed safely and satisfactorily.
- Maintain clear records of inspections, servicing, repairs and completed work.
- Monitor maintenance supplies and notify management when replacement materials are required.
- Keep workshops, storage areas and plant rooms clean, secure and organised.
- Report significant defects, risks and expenditure requirements to management.
Gardening and groundskeeping
- Maintain lawns, hedges, shrubs, flower beds, trees and planted areas.
- Carry out mowing, strimming, pruning, hedge cutting, weeding, planting and general garden care.
- Keep paths, entrances, driveways, car parks and other outdoor areas clean, tidy and safe.
- Remove leaves, litter, fallen branches and other debris from the grounds.
- Identify damaged trees, dangerous branches, uneven surfaces and other outdoor hazards.
- Maintain gardening tools, machinery and equipment in a clean and safe working condition.
- Plan and complete seasonal gardening and groundskeeping tasks.
- Assist with the preparation, inspection and clean-up of the estate following storms or severe weather.
Health and safety responsibilities
- Promote safe working practices throughout Oakhaven Estate.
- Carry out regular safety checks of buildings, grounds, tools, machinery and working areas.
- Assist management with workplace inspections, risk assessments, safety records and safe working procedures, within the limits of the employee’s training and competence.
- Ensure that tools, machinery, ladders and personal protective equipment are checked and used correctly.
- Identify hazards and take prompt action to remove, isolate or report them.
- Maintain appropriate records relating to inspections, maintenance, incidents and contractor work.
- Support fire-safety procedures, emergency planning and routine safety checks.
- Check that contractors follow the estate’s health and safety requirements while working on the premises.
- Report accidents, near misses, defects and safety concerns promptly to management.
- Participate in relevant health and safety training as required.
Person specificationEssential requirements
- Previous hands-on experience in general building, property or facilities maintenance.
- Practical experience in gardening, landscaping or groundskeeping.
- A good working knowledge of workplace health and safety.
- Ability to identify hazards and assist with workplace inspections and risk assessments.
- Competence in the safe use of hand tools, power tools and gardening equipment.
- Good fault-finding and practical problem-solving skills.
- Ability to organise and prioritise routine, planned and urgent work.
- Ability to work independently, take responsibility and use sound judgement.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- A reliable, flexible and proactive approach to work.
- Ability to maintain clear paper-based and computerised records.
- Ability to carry out the physical duties of the position safely, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.
- A full, valid driving licence.
- Access to a reliable car for travel to and from Oakhaven Estate and for the requirements of the position.
Desirable requirements
- A recognised qualification in maintenance, construction, horticulture, landscaping or a related trade.
- Health and safety training or certification.
- Current manual-handling, occupational first-aid or fire-safety training.
- Experience assisting with risk assessments and safe working procedures.
- Experience managing or supervising external contractors.
- Experience working with a planned preventative maintenance system.
- Experience operating groundskeeping machinery and equipment.
- Basic knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical or mechanical systems.
- Experience working on an estate, residential property, hospitality site, care facility or similar premises.
Skills and personal qualities
The successful candidate should be:
- Practical and solutions-focused.
- Safety-conscious and responsible.
- Observant, with strong attention to detail.
- Well organised and able to manage competing priorities.
- Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
- Respectful when working around residents, visitors, colleagues and contractors.
- Willing to undertake additional training where required.
- Flexible in responding to urgent or unexpected maintenance issues.
Working conditions
The position involves a combination of indoor and outdoor work throughout the year. Duties may include working in poor weather, lifting and carrying appropriate loads, using ladders and equipment, and completing physically active tasks.
The normal working hours are Monday to Friday, from 8:00am to 4:30pm, including a 30-minute unpaid meal break.
Performance expectations
The postholder will be expected to:
- Keep the estate’s buildings, gardens and grounds safe, presentable and well maintained.
- Complete scheduled work reliably and within reasonable timescales.
- Respond appropriately to urgent defects and safety hazards.
- Maintain accurate maintenance and health and safety records.
- Communicate clearly with management about outstanding work, identified risks and contractor requirements.
- Treat the estate, its occupants, visitors and colleagues with professionalism and respect.
- Protect and properly maintain the estate’s tools, equipment, machinery and materials.
Remuneration
The hourly pay rate for this position is €19–€22, depending on the successful candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications and demonstrated ability.
Based on a 40-hour working week, this is equivalent to approximately €39,520–€45,760 gross per annum.
A discretionary company bonus scheme may apply. Any bonus is not guaranteed and will be awarded at the company’s discretion.
Application information
Applicants should submit a current CV and a short cover letter outlining their relevant maintenance, gardening, grounds keeping and health and safety experience.
Pay: €39,000.00-€46,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
