Cleaning Assistant

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Generous pension scheme

Staff discounts

Professional development

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking a Cleaning Assistant to help maintain its buildings and facilities for staff, students and visitors. The role involves cleaning specified areas, responding to requests, and upholding safety standards across campus.

Work arrangements are part-time with early-morning and shift patterns on the Main Campus. The salary is pro rata (£23,660–£23,817) with potential progression to £24,217 per annum, subject to sustained performance.

Qualifications

• Effective verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Enthusiastic with a flexible approach to work.
• Previous cleaning experience (Desirable).
• Basic IT skills (Desirable).

Responsibilities

• Clean specified areas according to schedules using appropriate techniques and equipment.
• Respond to cleaning requests from department staff.
• Use equipment correctly and safely in line with Health and Safety regulations; clean and store equipment after use.
• Report any cleaning equipment faults, damage or maintenance issues to the Cleaning Supervisor.
• Ensure the safekeeping of keys during working hours and manage building alarms as required.
• Prioritise work and coordinate with building users to minimise disruption.
• Support the University sustainability strategy in daily activities where possible.
• Complete mandatory online training via the employee learning management system.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Skills

Verbal communication

Teamwork

Enthusiastic

Previous cleaning experience

Basic IT skills

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window).

Overview

The department of Estates and Facilities Management (EFM) is responsible for running and maintaining the entire University estate, including all our buildings, gardens, and facilities.

We work with all departments to keep the University running effectively, ensuring the University continues to be a remarkable place to work and study for our staff and students.

As a Cleaning Assistant you will play an important and valued role in our University community by helping to maintain our buildings and facilities, ensuring they remain clean and well presented for staff, students and visitors.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Clean specified areas, according to the agreed schedules, using the appropriate techniques, materials and equipment.

• Respond to occasional cleaning requests from department staff.

• Use equipment correctly and safely in accordance with Health and Safety regulations. Clean equipment regularly and store away after use.

• Report any cleaning equipment faults, damage or maintenance issues to the Cleaning Supervisor.

• Ensure the safekeeping of keys during working hours. Turn off building alarms and lock doors after cleaning as appropriate.

• Prioritise your own work, and work around building uses, ensuring that you prioritise those areas which are used first and communicating with building users as required.

• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.

• Ensure timely completion of mandatory online training, via the employee learning management system.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected.

Criteria

• Effective verbal Communication skills. Essential. Interview/ Application
• Ability to work both independently and to work as part of a team supporting other colleagues. Essential. Interview/ Application
• Enthusiastic with a flexible approach to work and a positive attitude. Essential. Interview/ Application
• Previous cleaning experience. Desirable. Interview/ Application
• Basic IT skills. Desirable. Interview/ Application

Further Information

Grade: 2

Salary: £23,660 to £23,817 pro rata, per annum. With the potential to progress to £24,217 pro rata, per annum, through sustained exceptional contribution.

Work arrangement: Part-time

Shifts: Main Campus:

• Mon - Fri: 6:00am - 9:30am - 17.5 hrs per week
• Mon - Fri: 3:30pm - 7:00pm - 17.5 hrs per week
• Mon - Fri: 6:00pm - 10:00pm - 20 hrs per week
• Mon - Fri: 6:30pm - 10:00pm - 17.5 hrs per week
• Sat - Sun: 6:00am - 9:30am - 7 hrs per week
• Sat - Sun: 6:30pm - 10:00pm - 7 hrs per week
• Sat - Sun: 5:30pm - 9:00pm - 9 hrs per week
• Sun: 5:30pm - 9.00pm - 4.5 hrs per week

Address: AMRC, Wallis Way, Catcliffe, Rotherham, S60 5TZ

• Mon - Fri: 6:00am - 9:30am - 17.5 hrs per week

Line manager: Cleaning Shift Supervisor.

Right to work in the UK: This role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship under the UK Visa & Immigration points-based system. Information on alternative visa options is available on www.gov.uk.

Our website: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/efm

For informal enquiries about this job contact Campus Services Administration on [e-mail].

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place within 2 weeks of the closing date. This will consist of interview questions and a group exercise. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 1 week of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process please email: [e-mail].

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies:
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record - AMRC Role Only

An enhanced with barred lists DBS check will be needed for this role if working at the AMRC Campus, Rotherham. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

This is a requirement only for the AMRC role. Main campus roles will not require a DBS check.

Closing Date :10/11/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.