Cleaning Assistant

Durham University; North East; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

27 Days annual leave per year

Parking across campus

Cycle to work scheme

Discounts via benefits portal

On site nursery

Health and wellbeing support

Staff volunteering opportunities

Family friendly policies

Job summary

Durham University is seeking a Cleaning Assistant to join Accommodation & Commercial Services. This on-site, part-time role involves cleaning and housekeeping across university premises, serving students, staff and commercial customers.

Available shifts include 3 x 15 hours (6am-9am, Mon-Fri) and 1 x 8 hours (1pm-5pm, Sat-Sun); permanent pattern. A fixed-term maternity cover applies for 1 x 15 hours (6am-9am, Mon-Fri) until 11 August 2027. Interview date: 18 Sep.

Qualifications

• Good spoken and written communication skills.
• Basic numeracy and literacy skills.
• Evidence of personal development to maintain skills.
• Ability to work alone but build positive working relationships and work in a team.
• Ability to manage time to meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow instructions, spoken or written, accurately.
• Ability to deal effectively with staff and customers at all levels.
• Basic digital skills including the ability to use the internet and email.
• BICS or First Aid trained.
• Previous housekeeping and/or cleaning experience.

Responsibilities

• As Cleaning Assistant, deliver cleaning and housekeeping across University premises, including facilities, offices and common areas.
• Support cleaning services for students, staff and commercial customers.
• Assist in maintaining infrastructure and building fabric as part of Estates and Facilities Directorate.

Skills

Communication

Numeracy

Teamwork

Time management

Attention to detail

Job description

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on [e-mail]

Job Description - Cleaning Assistant (26001089)

Accommodation & Commercial Services

Open-Ended/Permanent - Part Time

Working Arrangements : Onsite working only

Closing Date

06-Sep-2026, 10:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement : Not Applicable.

Job Title: Cleaning Assistant

Department Estates and Facilities Directorate

Accommodation and Commercial Services

Grade: Grade 1

Salary range:£24,479 (pro-rata)

Working arrangements: Part-time (see below for shift details)

Permanent

Onsite working only

For available shifts, please see below

Interview date: between 8am-12pm on Friday 18th September

Available Shifts:

Permanent:

3 x 15 hours - 5 days out of 7, 52 weeks, indicative working pattern 6am-9am, Monday to Friday

1x 8 hours - 2 out of 7, 30 weeks, indicative working pattern 1pm-5pm - Saturday and Sunday

Fixed Term

• 1x 15 hours - 5 days out of 7, 52 weeks, indicative working pattern 6am-9am, Monday to Friday - Fixed Term maternity leave until 11th August 2027

The University

At Durham University, we are proud of our people, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community. We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team.

Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion. It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here .

The Role and Department

As Cleaning Assistant, you will deliver a range of cleaning and housekeeping services across University premises, including the cleaning and servicing of facilities, offices and common areas, used by students, staff and commercial customers.

The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides a number of essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University, you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 27 Days annual leave per year (in additional to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year), a total of 39 days, including time off between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Discounts via our benefits portal, including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply

To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for:

• 1. Good spoken and written communication skills.
• 2. Basic numeracy and literacy skills.
• 3. Evidence of personal development to maintain skills.
• 4. Ability to work alone but build positive working relationships and work in a team.
• 5. Ability to manage time to meet deadlines.
• 6. Ability to follow instructions, spoken or written, accurately.
• 8. Ability to deal effectively with staff and customers at all levels.
• 1. Basic digital skills including the ability to use the internet and email.
• 2. BICS or First Aid trained.
• 3. Previous housekeeping and/or cleaning experience.

Who to contact for more information

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role or