Cleaning Operative

Leeds City Council; Leeds; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Leeds is seeking a Cleaning Operative responsible for maintaining high cleaning standards across various buildings. This role emphasizes teamwork, flexibility, and the use of mechanical cleaning equipment for thorough cleaning. A can-do attitude and awareness of hygiene and safety protocols are key for success. Opportunities for part-time and full-time hours available with a competitive salary and benefits including a pension scheme and professional development support.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual leave entitlement

West Yorkshire Pension Fund membership

Flexible working arrangements

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Willingness to work flexibly across different sites and areas.
• Experience in or aptitude to learn the use of mechanical cleaning equipment.
• Awareness of hygiene, health and safety.

Responsibilities

• Clean all areas within buildings, including high-level cleaning.
• Use mechanical cleaning equipment as required.
• Work as part of a team and follow instructions from supervisors.

Skills

Flexibility

Teamwork

Use of mechanical cleaning equipment

Hygiene awareness

Tools

Suction cleaners

Scrubbing/buffing machines

Hot water extraction machines

Job description

Job title: Cleaning Operative

Salary: A1 £24,480 (pro rata)

Hours: Various

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds

As a Cleaning Operative you’ll thrive on bringing a positive can‑do attitude approach to your work and focusing your effort on actions that will have the biggest impact.

This role is about more than keeping buildings clean and safe; you will make a real difference in the community, support good health and wellbeing and provide a quality service that meets the needs of our clients.

We offer this role on either a term‑time only (39 weeks per year) or full‑year contract, with part‑time and full‑time hours available. There are opportunities to work in various locations across Leeds.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Cleaning Operative, you will bring to the role :

• Willingness to work flexibly across different sites and areas
• Experience in or aptitude to learn the use of mechanical cleaning equipment
• Awareness of hygiene, health and safety such as using protective clothing and safe handling of cleaning materials
• Ability to work as part of a team and act on instructions from supervisors
• Willingness to take part in training and attend courses as requested

About the role

As our next Cleaning Operative you’ll contribute to delivering a healthy, safe and welcoming city for people of all ages, and from all communities.

The role is integral to our cleaning and facilities management team. We strive to deliver high standards of work across Leeds, including maintaining cleaning standards in schools, community buildings, Leeds City Council owned buildings and housing stock.

You will be involved in cleaning all spaces within buildings, including some high‑level cleaning. We have your safety and wellbeing at heart and will provide full training and equip you with all necessary cleaning equipment and protective gear.

We want you to contribute to building Team Leeds – made up of the people who live or work here, and those who champion the city nationally and internationally.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including :

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of items to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job description

Job Purpose

Responsible for cleaning in the following buildings schools, colleges / further education centres, day centres, multistorey flats, maisonettes, sheltered housing complexes, public libraries and any other building that may be acquired under the Leeds City Council cleaning contract.

Responsibilities

• Use of mechanical cleaning equipment including suction cleaners, scrubbing / buffing machines, hot water extraction machines, combined scrubber / drier machines and wet suction machines
• Handling and use of cleaning materials in accordance with recommended procedures.
• Clean in all areas within a building including toilet / hygiene areas, corridors, landings, staircases, entrances, craft rooms, including woodwork, engineering and cookery hall, gymnasium, classrooms, offices, halls
• High level cleaning, washing of walls, windows, glass using appropriate equipment.
• Routine contact with customers.
• Work to operational specifications and quality assurance work schedules.
• Work as part of a team and act on instructions from senior staff.
• Wear appropriate protective clothing including rubber gloves.
• With specific protective clothing, training and equipment remove discarded syringes and needles. Operatives need to be aware of the potential of ‘Needle stick injuries’ as a consequence of contact with hypodermic syringes.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

No formal qualifications are required.

Essential requirements

• Able and willing to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
• Able to use toxic materials in the process of general cleaning.
• Able to work as part of a team and act on instructions from Area Supervisors.
• Able and willing to work at short notice.
• Able and willing to cover different duties as requested commensurate with grade.
• Able and willing to wear corporate clothing as required.
• Able to use a variety of cleaning equipment.
• Able to operate mechanised cleaning equipment

Essential behavioural and other characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate with grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti‑discriminatory manner, upholding, equality and diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

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