Housekeeping & Cleaning Assistant

Durham University; North East; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave + 8 public hols +

Parking across campus

Cycle to work scheme

Employee discounts via benefits portal

On-site nursery

Job summary

Durham University is seeking a Housekeeping & Cleaning Assistant to join the Operations Directorate. You will contribute to cleaning services across student bedrooms, facilities and common areas, with full training provided.

The role supports a diverse student and staff community, and works within a collaborative operations team. The university highlights its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and offers adjustments during recruitment and employment to enable all applicants to

Qualifications

• Good spoken and written communication skills.
• Basic digital skills including the ability to use the internet and email.
• Basic numeracy and literacy skills.
• Experience of working in a team.
• Ability to manage time to meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow instructions, spoken or written, accurately.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a range of cleaning/housekeeping services including bedrooms, bathrooms, guest accommodation, facilities and common areas.
• Maintain agreed standards with reference to student and customer comfort and satisfaction.
• Work with Operations Teams in a lively student environment and follow training provided.

Skills

Communication skills

Digital skills

Numeracy

Teamwork

Time management

Follow instructions

Job description

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]

Job Description - Housekeeping & Cleaning Assistant (26001348)

Job Description

Job Number:

26001348

College Operations

Open-Ended/Permanent - Annualised Hours (Part Time)

Closing Date

29-Oct-2026, 11:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement : Not Applicable.

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

The Operations Directorate: Elevating the Student and Staff Experience

The Operations Directorate is dedicated to providing a world-class experience for our diverse student and staff communities, which is essential to our students’ learning journey. Our passionate team delivers services and facilities across 15 colleges, including catering, housekeeping, reception, security, and maintenance.

All staff within the Operations Directorate share the responsibility for supporting environmental and social sustainability initiatives including water and energy conservation and re-use and recycling as outlined in operating procedures. These resources create a safe environment where our students can live, work, dine, socialise, and thrive together.

Within the Operations Directorate, we have three key areas:

1. 1. University Catering: Our robust catering team of 500 ensures fresh, exciting, and diverse dining experiences throughout our colleges, catering to the unique needs of our University Community, which includes students, staff, and visitors, and offer expert advice on bar management.
2. 2. College Operations: With over 200 dedicated professionals, we provide residential services within the colleges as well as supporting student and non-student-led events.
3. 3. Retail Services: Our branded retail catering and merchandise outlets offer an enticing array of menus and high-quality products thoughtfully presented to enhance the shopping experience for our students and staff whilst building positive relationships via efficient service and attentive staff.

In addition to a highly competitive salary and rewards package, our strategic focus includes ongoing development opportunities for our people. Join us today and shape your career at Durham University!

The Role

Housekeeping and Cleaning Assistants are responsible for delivering a range of cleaning/housekeeping services including the cleaning and servicing of student bedrooms, bathrooms, guest accommodation, facilities, offices and common areas of the College used by students and commercial customers.

Teams ensure agreed standards are maintained, with particular reference to student and customer comfort and satisfaction.

Working as a Housekeeping and Cleaning Assistant you will work with our friendly Operations Teams amongst a lively and interesting student environment. No previous cleaning experience is needed for this role as full training will be provided. We just ask that you are hardworking, able to follow instructions, a team player and are friendly and approachable.

Specific Role Information

We will require you to be punctual, flexible, and willing to work variable shift patterns, including evenings and weekends.

We have different contracts available and all contracts are issued on an up to 5 from 7 with a number of days worked depending on the contract size. Predominantly working days are Monday to Friday, however, some weekend work may be required and this will be communicated following the rostering principles.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

• You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes 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.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community.
• Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, 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.
• We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here .

What you need to demonstrate when you apply

1. 1. Good spoken and written communication skills.
2. 2. Basic digital skills including the ability to use the internet and email.
3. 3. Basic numeracy and literacy skills.
4. 4. Experience of working in a team.
5. 5. Ability to manage time to meet deadlines.
6. 6. Ability to follow instructions, spoken or written, accurately.

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.

Service Delivery

• Provide an excellent service to our students, your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role 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. safety shoes and being aware of any hazards.
• Learn how to use everyday equipment and tools e.g. electrical appliances from more experienced colleagues.
• Follow instructions from more experienced colleagues to deliver set tasks.
• Learn how to deliver services in line with regulations.
• 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 carry out their tasks when asked.
• Help colleagues maintain facilities and equipment safely and securely.
• Bring any problems to the attention of more senior colleagues.

Communication/Personal

• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
• Use digital devices and apps (such as email) to communicate with students, your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

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 .

Version 07-2026

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]