Cleaner

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsible to: Cleaning Supervisor or other authorised person.

Job Purpose

Undertake, as part of a team, the cleaning of any area within the premises, designated by the line manager.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Sweep, suction clean, mop, dry buff, spray clean, spray wax, machine scrub and dry, strip and re‑polish floors using appropriate equipment.
• Clean and remove stains of soft floor surfaces (carpets/matting) using the appropriate cleaning method.
• Clean toilet and shower area including the fixtures and fittings.
• Clean, wash and dust ledges, walls, fixtures, fittings and internal surfaces up to 3.35M. Polishing furniture where appropriate.
• Empty and clean internal litter bins and remove litter to the designated collection points.

General Conditions

• All duties must be carried out to comply with: (a) The Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978; (b) Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements; (c) The COSHH Regulations; (d) Codes of Practice.
• All duties will be carried out in the working conditions normally inherent in the particular job.
• Cover colleagues on sick leave in line with Education Authority’s procedure.
• Absence must be reported in line with the Education Authority’s Procedure and the relevant forms must be completed and signed by the Building Supervisor.
• When carrying out cleaning duties protective clothing or work wear issued must be worn.
• Flat‑soled enclosed‑toe footwear should be worn when carrying out cleaning duties.
• Any cleaning equipment issued must be used and cared for in an appropriate and safe manner, with any defects being reported immediately.
• All necessary paperwork must be completed.
• Duties will be carried out for jobs up to and including those in the same grade, provided such duties are within the competence of the employee.

Training

• Employees will accept any training for jobs graded at a higher level than their own. Payment will only be made where there is a requirement by the authority for the higher‑level duties to be carried out.
• Employees must accept any training to facilitate the undertaking of duties up to and including their own grade. The training to include: Induction Training, Refresher Training.

Integrity and Equality

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post‑holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

Safeguarding

Posts involving work in educational institutions are subject to the provisions of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007. The successful applicant will require an enhanced disclosure check which at present costs £33. Further details regarding the payment of this check will be issued with the contract of employment.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.

2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.

3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.

4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.

5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.

6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.

Section 1 – Essential Criteria

• Have a minimum of three months’ demonstrable working experience in a cleaning role.
• Evidence of knowledge of cleaning methods / machinery.
• Health and Safety requirements relevant to the role, including COSHH.
• Evidence of knowledge of the requirements of a School Cleaner.
• Evidence of initiative, ability to work under pressure, effective communication skills, organisation and planning, teamwork, flexibility.

Method of Assessment

• Shortlisting by Application Form.
• Interview.

Skills / Abilities

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate and take instruction in the English language.
• Effective organisation and planning skills.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Flexible approach to work, and willing to carry out instruction.

Values Orientation

Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here.

Section 3 – Desirable Criteria

• One year’s experience of cleaning outside home environment.
• Demonstrable experience of using a range of commercial cleaning tools (e.g. buffing machinery).

Our Values

Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.

Disclosure of Criminal Background

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.

In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you will be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre‑employment stage.

Applicant Guidance Notes

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.

Benefits

To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.