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eTeach UK Limited; Wotton-under-Edge; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 16,000; Part time

Job summary

eTeach UK Limited is seeking a school caretaker working 19 hours per week during term time (39 weeks) plus 2 weeks covering half terms and summer holidays. The role focuses on security, safety and day-to-day maintenance of the school premises.

Responsibilities include keyholding, locking/unlocking outside hours, alarm monitoring, reporting defects, supervising contractors, managing deliveries and stock, and energy conservation efforts. A strong emphasis on safety and reliability is essential.

Qualifications

• No formal qualification requirements but experience in health and safety procedures is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Main keyholder responsible for security of the school premises.
• Locking/unlocking outside normal hours and setting security alarms.
• Regular checks on alarm systems and fire extinguishers; report issues.
• Identify and report building/furnishings deficiencies and arrange remedial actions.
• Escort contractors and monitor safety/quality of work.
• Carry in deliveries; manage stores and documentation.
• Operate heating systems for efficiency; monitor energy use.
• Monitor fuel and water usage; take meter readings as needed.
• Clean defined areas and perform emergency cleaning (graffiti).
• Maintain outside areas; remove litter; manage weather-related access.
• Ensure cloakroom/toilets are working and stocked.
• Set out/put away furniture for events; porterage as needed.
• Arrange collection of school waste.

Job description

Hours: 19hrs per week, term time only (39 weeks) + 2 weeks (covering half terms & summer holidays)1. Job purpose

Under the general supervision of the Headteacher & School Business Manager to carry out a range of duties to contribute to the security, safety and day-to-day maintenance of the school premises.

a) As the main keyholder to be responsible for the security of the school premises and to assist the Headteacher/School Business Manager / secondary caretaker in making any arrangements to cover periods of absence.

b) To be responsible for locking and unlocking school premises outside of normal school hours and for setting security alarm systems, as required. Responding to security alarm or other call outs in accordance with agreed procedures.

c) To carry out regular checks on alarm systems and fire extinguishers and report on any problems arising.

d) To identify and report building, furnishing or fittings deficiencies to the Headteacher/School Business Manager and to undertake any remedial action that may be authorised and appropriate. This may involve obtaining quotes or arranging emergency repairs from external contractors.

e) To escort contractors and other relevant persons to sites of repair and maintenance and, where appropriate, monitoring the safety of their working practices and/or quality of work having regard to the school environment.

f) To take delivery of stores, goods and equipment and arrange storage or distribution as required, including the maintenance and completion of relevant documentation with appropriate authorising signatures.

g) To exercise overall responsibility for the operation of the school heating systems; ensuring that all plant and equipment operates at maximum efficiency and economy with special regard to energy conservation and regularly inspect equipment to ensure it is clean and in a safe working order; to report deficiencies.h)

h) To ensure, as far as is practical, that adequate supplies of fuel and water are available at all times in conjunction with any energy conservation scheme; to maintain the supply of supplementary mobile heating as may be necessary.

i) To monitor usage of electricity, water and any other fuel taking such meter readings as may be required.

j) To clean defined areas of the school premises, together with any emergency cleaning needs (including graffiti) arising during the working day.

k) To be responsible for the general tidiness and safety of the outside areas, e.g., the removal of litter and graffiti from paths and hard surfaces; to keep surface drains free of obstruction; to ensure pedestrian access in periods of severe weather conditions, treating main entrances and paths with salt/grit as appropriate.

l) To ensure that staff and pupil cloakroom and toilet facilities are in working order and that appropriate supplies of consumables are maintained.

m) To set out/put away furniture for school events and undertake general porterage as required by the Headteacher/School Business Manager.

n) To make appropriate arrangements for the collection of school waste.

o) The postholder will be expected to act as an adult role model and support school policies when dealing with students or visitors to the school.

3. Dimensions (details will depend upon particular school)

Size of school: 225 pupils on roll, one floor.

Number of classrooms: 9

This post does not have direct supervisory responsibility for other caretaking or cleaning staff.

4. Job context

The caretaker plays an important part in the smooth and efficient running of the school. The postholder will be expected to work in a flexible way to meet the needs of the school, combining planned and regular tasks with day-to-day needs and emergency responses.

5. Supervision and work planning

General supervision will be provided by the Headteacher/School Business Manager. However, the post holder will often be required to work without direct supervision due to the times of work and/or nature of the duties.

6. Problems and decisions

Determining any action to be taken arising from breakdowns, vandalism or other incidents occurring out of school hours or during school holidays, consulting as appropriate with the Headteacher/School Business Manager. Obtaining quotes for repair jobs and arranging emergency repairs, as necessary. Identification of health and safety and other deficiencies throughout the school premises.

7. Contacts

Daily contact with the Headteacher, School Business Manager and cleaning staff. General contact with other school staff and contractors/suppliers.

8. Knowledge, experience and training

No formal qualification requirements but previous experience of health and safety procedures and supervision of premises is desirable. Application of common sense and initiative and the ability to establish good working relationships with Headteacher/School Business Manager and other school staff is essential.

9. Physical effort and/or strain

The post will involve frequent lifting and moving of furniture and equipment in and around the school premises, also physical effort involved in various repair and maintenance activities. The employee will be required to undertake manual handling training and COSHH.

10. Working environment

Cleaning and maintenance duties may involve dealing with blocked drains and toilets, including clearance of vomit or excrement. Also use of toxic chemicals.

Site maintenance activities will require outdoors work in adverse weather conditions, including the provision of safe access to school buildings when snow or ice problems occur., including maintaining stock levels of salt & grit.

11. Equipment

Basic understanding of the operation of school alarm and heating systems will be required. Training will be arranged, as necessary. A basic understanding of boiler maintenance would be preferable.

12. Special notes or conditions

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) because it is a post which involves working directly with children or young people. You are therefore required to declare whether you have any criminal convictions (or cautions or bind-overs) unless they are protected disclosures as listed in the Exceptions Order.

Please note: The amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain convictions and cautions are considered 'protected’. This means that they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and, if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account.

£14,862-£15,104 actual salary (pay award pending)