Experienced Groundsperson
About Dunstable Town Cricket Club
Dunstable Town Cricket Club is one of Bedfordshire's leading community cricket clubs, situated within the beautiful 14-acre setting of Lancot Park at the foot of the Chiltern Hills. The club boasts outstanding facilities, including two cricket grounds, a football pitch and extensive landscaped grounds.
The club supports a thriving junior and senior cricket programme, women's and girls' cricket, community events and regularly hosts county-level cricket fixtures. We are committed to providing playing surfaces of the highest possible standard for players at every level.
Purpose of the Role
The Groundsperson is responsible for maintaining and developing the playing surfaces and wider grounds at Lancot Park to an excellent standard. This includes preparing high-quality cricket pitches, maintaining the outfields and football pitch, ensuring the grounds are safe, attractive and match-ready throughout the year.
The successful candidate will take pride in producing facilities capable of hosting local league cricket through to County representative matches.
Key Responsibilities
Cricket Facilities
- Prepare and maintain two cricket squares to ECB recommended standards.
- Produce match pitches for league, cup and county cricket fixtures.
- Prepare practice wickets and training areas.
- Carry out mowing, rolling, scarifying, overseeding and fertilising programmes.
- Repair wickets following matches.
- Maintain consistent pitch performance throughout the season.
- Assist with end-of-season renovations.
Outfield & Grounds Maintenance
- Maintain both cricket outfields to a high presentation standard.
- Maintain the football pitch throughout its playing season.
- Cut grass, edge pathways and maintain landscaped areas.
- Care for hedges, flower beds, trees and surrounding green spaces.
- Keep car parks, spectator areas and pathways clean, tidy and safe.
- Manage weeds, moss and invasive vegetation.
Machinery & Equipment
- Operate and maintain grounds machinery safely.
- Carry out routine servicing and basic repairs.
- Report equipment defects promptly.
- Ensure machinery is securely stored and maintained.
Match Day Preparation
- Prepare grounds before fixtures.
- Install boundary ropes, sightscreens, covers and match equipment.
- Ensure pitches are ready well before scheduled start times.
- Assist with ground recovery after matches.
Health & Safety
- Maintain safe working practices at all times.
- Undertake risk assessments where appropriate.
- Ensure compliance with Health & Safety legislation.
- Safely store fuels, chemicals and fertilisers.
General Duties
- Support volunteers during ground working parties.
- Assist with planning annual maintenance schedules.
- Liaise with club officials regarding fixture requirements.
- Take pride in presenting the club as one of the leading cricket venues in the county.
Person Specification
Essential
- Experience in sports turf maintenance or grounds management.
- Good understanding of cricket pitch preparation.
- Ability to operate ground care machinery.
- Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently.
- Flexible approach to working hours.
- Good physical fitness.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
- ECB Pitch Advisor or Grounds Management qualifications.
- NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Sports Turf Management (or equivalent).
- PA1/PA6 pesticide certification.
- Experience preparing pitches for county or premier league cricket.
- Experience maintaining football pitches.
- First Aid qualification.
Personal Qualities
We are looking for someone who:
- Takes pride in producing exceptional playing surfaces.
- Has excellent attention to detail.
- Is reliable and dependable.
- Enjoys working outdoors throughout the year.
- Works well with volunteers, players and committee members.
- Is proactive and willing to suggest improvements.
- Has a genuine passion for cricket and community sport.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to work at one of Bedfordshire's premier community cricket clubs.
- A beautiful 14-acre working environment within Lancot Park.
- The chance to prepare wickets for county-level cricket.
- Supportive committee and volunteer network.
- Opportunities for ongoing training and professional development.
- Competitive salary dependent upon experience.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit a CV together with a covering letter outlining their relevant experience and why they would like to join Dunstable Town Cricket Club
Dunstable Town Cricket Club is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Pay: £30,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
