Cleaning Operative

The Methodist Church in Britain; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full training

Uniform and PPE provided

Local government pension scheme

Job summary

Portsmouth City Council is seeking a cleaning operative to maintain housing estate facilities, including high-rise blocks and public spaces, across multiple sites. Duties include routine cleaning, carpet and floor care, and liaising with residents.

The role requires a full UK driving licence and the right to work in the UK, with training provided and opportunities to work across different sites. Bank holiday cover and lone-working are part of the role.

Qualifications

• Good understanding of health and safety and safe working methods.
• Calm, confident and diplomatic in challenging situations.
• Sound decision‑making, taking responsibility and learning from mistakes.
• Accurate spoken English to converse at ease with customers and colleagues.
• Effective communication and good listening.
• Use of initiative and adaptability to changing work, moving between teams and sites.

Responsibilities

• Clean high-rise blocks, sheltered schemes, play areas, public conveniences and car parks, internally and externally, throughout the year.
• Carry out specialist cleaning such as carpet cleaning and floor buffing.
• Interact with residents across the estate.
• Report bulky items, communal repairs and anti‑social behaviour to the relevant departments.
• Apply health and safety practice and safe working methods that protect yourself and others.
• Operate equipment such as a backpack hoover, motor scrubber and I‑Mop, and carry out its routine care and maintenance.
• Carry out physical tasks including using stairs, emptying full bins and manoeuvring a cleaning cart.
• Work alone at times and on bank holidays.
• Move between teams and sites, sometimes at short notice.

Skills

Health & safety

Calm under pressure

Decision making

English speaking

Communication

Initiative & adaptability

Job description

A cleaning operative post at Portsmouth City Council's housing depot on Port Royal Street, covering the council's estate. Most of the work is hands-on cleaning of high-rise blocks, sheltered schemes, play areas, toilets and car parks, plus reporting of bulky items and anti-social behaviour. The role is physically demanding, done in all weathers, with lone working, bank holiday cover and moves between sites at short notice. A full UK driving licence and the right to work in the UK are required.

What the job involves

• Clean high-rise blocks, sheltered schemes, play parks, public conveniences and car parks, internally and externally, throughout the year
• Carry out specialist cleaning such as carpet cleaning and floor buffing
• Interact with residents across the estate
• Report bulky items, communal repairs and anti-social behaviour to the relevant departments
• Apply health and safety practice and safe working methods that protect yourself and others
• Operate equipment such as a backpack hoover, motor scrubber and I-Mop, and carry out its routine care and maintenance
• Carry out physical tasks including using stairs, emptying full bins and manoeuvring a cleaning cart
• Work alone at times and on bank holidays
• Move between teams and sites, sometimes at short notice

What's required

Skills & knowledge

• Good understanding of health and safety and safe working methods
• Calm, confident and diplomatic in challenging situations
• Sound decision‑making, taking responsibility and learning from mistakes
• Accurate spoken English to converse at ease with customers and colleagues
• Effective communication and good listening
• Use of initiative and adaptability to changing work, moving between teams and sites

Checks & eligibility

• Right to work in the UK
• Full UK driving licence

Other

• Motivated, hard‑working and conscientious, taking pride in the work
• Honest, with a positive attitude and good work ethic
• Team player with good self‑awareness who supports others
• Good time‑keeping, as key holding may be required
• Organised, methodical approach to prioritising workload
• Evidence against each person specification point from experience or transferable skills

Nice to have

• Previous cleaning experience

What's offered

• Full training, including the potential to gain qualifications
• Uniform and PPE provided
• Local government pension scheme