Cleaning Assistant (25001720)

Durham University; North East; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A prestigious UK university is seeking a Cleaning Assistant to deliver exceptional cleaning and housekeeping services. Responsibilities include maintaining facilities, supporting team operations, and adhering to safety regulations. Ideal candidates should possess strong communication and attention to detail skills. This role offers flexible working hours and a range of benefits including generous leave and health support.

Benefits

27 days annual leave plus public holidays

Parking across campus

Discounts at retailers and attractions

On-site nursery

Wellness support and gym access

Staff volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Must be able to follow instructions, spoken or written, accurately.
• Ability to deal effectively with staff and customers at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Deliver cleaning and housekeeping services across University premises.
• Provide excellent, responsive service to students, staff and others.
• Follow health and safety regulations, including wearing protective clothing.
• Learn to use cleaning equipment and follow instructions from a supervisor.

Skills

Good spoken and written communication skills

Basic numeracy and literacy skills

Ability to manage time to meet deadlines

Good attention to detail

Job description

Cleaning Assistant – Responsibilities and Requirements

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.

We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e‑recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

Here are the kinds of activities that you will be asked to undertake and ways in which you will be expected to operate:

• 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.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

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.

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

Qualifications and Desirable Criteria

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.
7. Good attention to detail.
8. Ability to deal effectively with staff and customers at all levels.

Desirable Criteria – Basic digital skills including the ability to use the internet and email; BICS or First Aid trained; Previous housekeeping and/or cleaning experience.

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

Working Hours and Pay

• 1x 8 hours, 2 days out of 7, 30 weeks, indicative pattern, 1pm-5pm, Saturday and Sunday
• 1x 15 hours, 5 days out of 7, 35 weeks, indicative pattern 6am-9am, Monday-Friday
• 1x 14 hours, 2 days out of 7, 30 weeks, indicative pattern 6am-2pm, Saturday and Sunday
• 1x 12 hours, 2 days out of 7, 30 weeks, indicative pattern 6am-12.30pm, Saturday and Sunday

Benefits

• 27 Days annual leave per year (in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year), a total of 39 days, including time off between Christmas and New Year.
• 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.