CLEANER in Cardiff

Cardiff Council Cleaning Services is seeking to appoint Cleaners to its Cleaning Team to provide a clean environment to both schools, educational establishments, and corporate council buildings throughout the Cardiff area.

About the job

The current work opportunities will be based within either schools or educational establishments. These opportunities provide workers with flexibility both around the school operating times and also school holidays. Although working times might vary slightly at some schools, typically, cleaners will work a minimum of 10 hours per week Monday to Friday for 38 weeks of the year when the school is open. Morning shifts generally operate between 6:00am – 8:00am, with afternoon shifts between 3:15pm – 6:15pm. Successful applicants will be appointed to a fixed number of hours and shifts per week Monday to Friday. However, for those who might want to work more hours, there are some opportunities to work both mornings and afternoons although these are likely to be at different school locations. Additionally, there may be some opportunities to work for the Council’s School Catering Service during the day at some schools.

Cleaners will also need to undertake deep cleans, up to a maximum of 5 weeks during school holidays such as October half-term, Christmas break, February half-term, Easter break or summer break in preparation of the restart of school. Typically, these hours would compress into longer shifts over two or three days each week, with a more intense cleaning being undertaken. These weeks will be confirmed at the start of each academic year in September. Although time off is not allowed when the school is open or during deep clean weeks, other than leave which is set out in the special leave provision, your salary includes additional payment on a pro rata basis for annual leave and public/bank holidays.

The job will comprise the undertaking of a variety of cleaning tasks in school buildings including dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, polishing, hygiene cleaning, emptying bins and mechanical buffing. All Cleaners are provided with a uniform, tabards/polo shirts as well as disposable gloves etc., which are required for the work. On-the-job cleaning task training for all aspects of the role will also be provided and periodic refresher training. In addition, you will receive an induction covering health and safety, how to use cleaning equipment and materials, how to identify suitable equipment with materials for different tasks and a site-specific orientation induction at each site that you will be working at.

The Council offers a generous benefits package including:

• hourly pay rate at the Living Wage level (currently £13.45 per hour)
• generous contributory pension
• discounted access to some Council Leisure Centres
• discounted annual bus tickets
• access to Cardiff Credit Union for savings and loans
• discounted MOT testing for your private vehicles
• free libraries sign up and access to digital eBook platforms
• a range of other HR family friendly policy benefits

We offer personal development opportunities such as the work-based NVQ Level 1 Cleaning & Support Services Skills, that can be further enhanced by completing additional Levels 2 or 3. Advancement within the cleaning service may take the form of progression to a Chargehand, Site Supervisor and Service Delivery Supervisor position. Working within cleaning will give you many transferable skills such as organisation, communication, problem-solving, multitasking, diligence, and attention to detail.

What We Are Looking For From You

Please do not worry if you have no previous experience in cleaning work as all required training to undertake the role will be provided. We are seeking candidates who are:

• physically fit enabling them to work intensively for the whole of a shift
• have a good customer care attitude
• possess effective communication skills
• are able to work both as part of a team and also under their own initiative

Every effort will be made to allocate a successful applicant with a position close to their home, but more opportunities will be available to you if you are willing to travel and use either public transport or your own vehicle. The advertised salary is based on a full-time role (37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year). The actual salary will be lower than the advertised salary and based on the part-time hours and weeks worked.

Appointment to this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a Child Workforce Barred List check. Safeguarding and Child Protection are key priorities for the Council. We aim to support children and vulnerable adults to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. Our services and schools are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults, and will take action to safeguard their well-being, and acknowledge that children and vulnerable adults have a right to protection. This is supported in the general ethos of the Council and all schools.

We understand you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, original and does not include ideas or work that is not your own. We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications.