Cleaning Assistant

Durham University; North East; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Parking across campus

Cycle to work scheme

Discounts via benefits portal

On site nursery

Job summary

Durham University is seeking a Cleaning Assistant to join Accommodation and Commercial Services on a part-time, onsite basis. The role covers cleaning across university premises, with flexible shifts including weekends and early mornings.

You will work within the Estates and Facilities Directorate to support a clean, safe environment for students, staff and visitors, following health and safety procedures and training as required.

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

• Provide cleaning and housekeeping services across University premises, including offices and common areas.
• Follow health and safety regulations and wear required protective equipment.
• Learn to use cleaning equipment and digital devices.
• Follow instructions from a supervisor to perform tasks and procedures.
• Deliver services in line with regulatory guidelines and protocols.
• Keep buildings and environments safe and secure.

Skills

Communication

Numeracy

Teamwork

Time management

Follow instructions

Digital skills

First Aid trained

Cleaning experience

Job description

Job Description

Cleaning Assistant (26001288)

Accommodation & Commercial Services

Open-Ended/Permanent - Part Time

Working Arrangements: Onsite working only

Closing Date

04-Oct-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: Monday 12th October 2026 (between 8am-12pm)

Available Shifts:

• 1x 2 hours 1 out of 7 - indicative working pattern Friday after 5pm or Saturday between 6am and 9am
• 1 x 7 hours 2 out of 7 - indicative working pattern Saturday and Sunday 6am-9:30am
• 1x 8 hours 2 out of 7 - indicative working pattern Saturday and Sunday 1pm-5pm
• 3 x 15 hours 5 out 7 - indicative working pattern Monday - Friday 6am-9am
• 1x 15 hours 5 out of 7 - indicative working pattern Monday - Friday 3pm-6pm

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.

Typical Role Requirements

Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate.

Who to contact for more information

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role or if you are struggling to complete the application process, Stephanie Rolfe, Housekeeping, Cleaning and General Services Manager, [e-mail], would be happy to speak to you.

Service Delivery

• Provide an excellent, responsive service to our students, staff and others by carrying out your tasks using the relevant procedures (which we will provide training for).
• Look after yourself and others by following health and safety regulations, including correctly wearing any protective clothing or equipment provided, e.g., uniform provided e.g., safety shoes, and be aware of any hazards.
• Learn how to use everyday equipment and tools e.g., cleaning equipment, digital devices, software and applications.
• Follow instructions from a supervisor to learn the correct methods to deliver set tasks and procedures.
• Learn how to, and deliver, services in line with regulatory and statutory guidelines and protocols.
• Keep physical internal and external environments, buildings and services in a safe and secure working order.

Teamwork

• Help and cooperate with the rest of your team.
• Support other team members to deliver a frontline student, staff or visitor service, when asked.
• Help colleagues maintain facilities and equipment safely and securely.
• Bring any problems to the attention of more senior colleagues.
• Adopt and promote a flexible approach to working and be willing to cover absences, when given reasonable notice, including evenings and weekends, as business demands.

Communication/Personal

• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Use digital devices and apps (such as email) to communicate with staff, students, and others.
• Ensure own work is completed in accordance with risk assessments specific to tasks and environments.
• Attend all training and development, as required.

Other

• Undertake an element of physical manual handling, which can include lifting and transporting equipment and deliveries.

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website .

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]