Grounds, Maintenance, Animal Care & Duty ManagerLocation: South East / Co. WaterfordSetting: Residential Accommodation, Wellness & Animal Therapy EnvironmentOrganisation: Emerald Asset Management (and related group companies)Contract: Full-TimeHours: Approx. 40 hours per weekWorking PatternMonday & Tuesday: 14:15 – 23:15Friday & Sunday: 09:00 – 19:30(Hours may vary slightly in line with operational, seasonal, or service needs.)Role OverviewEmerald Asset Management is seeking a reliable, capable, and practical Grounds, Maintenance, Animal Care & Duty Manager to support the safe operation, presentation, and upkeep of our residential accommodation, wellness facilities, landscaped grounds, and animal therapy environment.This is a hands-on, multi-skilled role combining grounds and horticultural work, general maintenance, animal care, and sole on-site Duty Manager responsibility during allocated shifts.At times, the post holder will be the only staff member on site and must therefore demonstrate excellent judgement, calm decision-making, strong communication skills, and a clear understanding of safeguarding and health & safety responsibilities. Senior management are available remotely at all times and can attend site if escalation or additional support is required.Key Responsibilities1. Grounds, Gardening & Horticultural Maintenance (Primary Focus)Maintain all external grounds to a high standard of safety and presentationManage and maintain five garden beds, ensuring they are:Fully weed-freeProperly edged and shapedMaintained with fresh soil, bark mulch, or stone as requiredAppropriately planted and kept in good conditionCarry out strimming and cutting in areas inaccessible to robotic lawnmowersMaintain grass growth along fencing, railings, boundaries, and edgesEnsure hedging is:Regularly trimmedNeatly shapedProperly maintainedUndertake planting of new hedging where required2. Fencing, Railings & External StructuresEnsure all fencing, railings, and posts are:Properly treated and paintedMaintained to a good and safe standard, including treatment below ground levelIdentify deterioration, damage, or safety risksTake immediate action to mitigate risks and report issues with proposed solutions3. Surfaces, Paving & Power WashingMaintain all external surfaces through:Power washing, steam washing, or soft washing as appropriateEnsure paving joints are fully and correctly sandedKeep all hard landscaping:Free from weeds, algae, moss, and green growthTreated appropriately to prevent regrowthEnsure no growth along stone areas, paving edges, or landscaped boundaries4. Waste Management & Site CleanlinessEnsure daily removal and appropriate disposal of rubbishMaintain clean, safe, and presentable external areasManage waste bins by:Exchanging full binsStoring empty bins correctlyPresenting bins for scheduled collection5. Animal Care & Equine Therapy Environment SupportProvide daily care for animals on site, including horsesResponsibilities include:Feeding and wateringBasic groomingCleaning and maintaining animal areasMonitor animal wellbeing and report concerns promptlyMaintain stables, paddocks, and animal-related facilitiesSupport a calm, safe, and therapeutic environment(This role does not involve delivering therapy but requires confidence and responsibility when working with animals.)6. Wellness, Residential & Accommodation SupportSupport the upkeep and safe operation of:Wellness facilitiesOutdoor communal areasResidential accommodation areasRespond appropriately to reasonable resident needs when acting as sole staff memberMaintain professional boundaries at all timesEscalate incidents, concerns, safeguarding or health & safety issues immediatelyAccurately document and report incidentsExtract and securely share CCTV footage with senior management when requested7. Duty Manager Responsibilities (Sole On-Site Cover)Safety, Supervision & SafeguardingMaintain oversight of the safety and wellbeing of children and families on siteBe alert to safeguarding concerns including:Unsupervised childrenAccidents or injuriesBoundary or behavioural concernsSecurity risks or suspicious behaviourTake immediate action where safety or welfare is at riskFollow Child Safeguarding Policies and Procedures at all timesReport and escalate safeguarding concerns without delayCooperate fully with safeguarding processes and external agencies (including Tusla)Emergency ResponseRespond to fire alarms (Fire Warden training provided)Ensure daily completion of the fire registerRespond to medical emergencies, including:Contacting emergency servicesAssisting residents until help arrivesManage incidents calmly and in line with proceduresMaintain clear verbal and written incident reportsSite & Access ManagementManage the duty phoneControl access gates and entry pointsSign in approved visitorsAct as on-site contact for external agencies when requiredMaintain overall site security8. Health & Safety Leadership & Compliance (Lead Responsibility)The post holder will act as the on-site lead responsible for ensuring that the organisation's Health & Safety Statement is implemented and followed at all times in practice.This includes responsibility to:Ensure all risk assessments and control measures are properly documented, understood, implemented in reality, and reviewed as requiredMonitor daily activities to ensure safe systems of work are consistently appliedIdentify hazards and ensure mitigating measures are implemented without delayAct as the primary on-site lead for implementing actions arising from internal or external Health & Safety inspections or auditsEnsure that any issues identified by external Health & Safety advisors, consultants, or inspectors are remedied as soon as possible, escalating to senior management where requiredMaintain accurate Health & Safety records and communicate actions and concerns to senior managementWhile overall responsibility for Health & Safety remains with the organisation, the post holder plays a critical operational role in ensuring compliance and continuous improvement on site.9. Tools, Equipment & Asset ControlEnsure all tools and equipment are:Clearly labelledSafely storedProperly organisedMaintain an accurate asset inventoryTake responsibility for tracking items removed from storage and ensuring their returnEssential CriteriaProven experience in groundskeeping, gardening, landscaping, or horticulturePractical maintenance and handyman experience (painting, power washing, basic repairs)Confidence working with animals, ideally including horsesPhysically fit and capable of outdoor and manual workAbility to work independently as sole on-site staffStrong judgement, reliability, and calm decision-makingCompetent spoken and written EnglishAwareness of child safeguarding responsibilitiesWillingness to complete required training (Fire Warden, Safeguarding)Positive attitude, willingness to learn, and commitment to high standards in a residential care environmentSalary & Accommodation€18.00 – €21.00 per hour (DOE)Subject to availability and overall package, accommodation may be provided under licence only, and only where a BIK exemption appliesWhat We OfferTraining (Fire Warden, Safeguarding, Duty Management)Senior management support available at all timesVaried, outdoor-focused role with real responsibilityOpportunity to work in a residential, wellness, and animal therapy environmentSupportive management within a growing organisationJob Type: Full-timePay: €18.00-€21.00 per hourExpected hours: 40 per weekWork Location: In person