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- Tasks: Help maintain clean and safe hostel accommodation for residents in need.
- Company: Join Hackney Council, a dynamic and diverse organisation committed to community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment with opportunities for skill development and flexible working.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on residents' lives while working in a vibrant borough.
- Qualifications: Previous cleaning or caretaking experience and good customer care skills are preferred.
- Other info: An Enhanced DBS Check is required; applications close on 31 August 2025.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
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We’re looking for proactive, positive, team players who are willing to go the extra mile, to help us build better lives for our residents.
Hostel Caretaker (Benefits and Housing Needs)
We currently have a vacancy for a Hostel Caretaker in the Temporary Accommodation Service. We are looking for motivated, flexible and customer focused people who will play an important role in maintaining clean, tidy and safe hostel accommodation used to provide emergency and temporary accommodation in the Borough. Hackney manages a large number of Hostels in the Borough and the service is expanding. We are looking for people who take pride in their work and want to be part of a Service that is working towards being excellent.
Reporting directly to the Hostel Manager, you will perform a variety of tasks including ensuring that rooms are cleaned and ready to let as soon as possible, cleaning the communal areas and facilities, and ensuring compliance with health and safety responsibilities. Where appropriate, carrying out non-technical and minor repairs.
Ideally, you will have previous cleaning or caretaking experience, a good level of physical fitness and a good understanding of customer care. It is important that you are able to work on your own initiative as well as part of a team and be able to travel between hostels.
A basic standard of literacy is required.
An Enhanced DBS Check is required for this role.
Our Service
The Benefits & Homeless Prevention Service is a very busy service, working with a wide range of residents who need our support to deal with the complex challenges they face. It is also a great place to work, develop and learn.
At Hackney we have taken an innovative approach to delivering the service by combining Benefits and Homeless Prevention functions. This gives us an opportunity to work together to help residents through their housing challenges using a holistic approach.
For more information please watch our from our Assistant Director.
Our borough
Hackney is London’s most diverse and dynamic borough.Reaching from the Square Mile to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this is an area of rapid economic growth, particularly in technology, media, fashion and other creative industries. Hackney has more green spaces than any other inner London borough; some of the capital’s finest schools; first class transport connections; excellent public services; and thriving arts, cultural and retail sectors. We seek people with ambition, creativity and commitment to ensure our economic growth provides benefits for everyone and creates opportunities to transform the lives of residents.
At Hackney, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is stimulating, fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high profile organisation. If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please apply now!
The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
We are passionate about equal opportunities and welcome a diversity of talent to apply.
As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.
If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.
We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.
To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.
As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.
We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.
Closing date for applications: 31 August 2025 (22.59)
Interview and assessment date: W/c 15 September 2025
We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.
Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.
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Hostel Caretaker employer: Hackney
Contact Detail:
Hackney Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Hostel Caretaker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of the residents in Hackney. Understanding the challenges they face will help you demonstrate your commitment to providing excellent customer care during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your proactive attitude by preparing examples of how you've gone the extra mile in previous roles. This could be through maintaining cleanliness or assisting customers, which aligns with the values of the Hostel Caretaker position.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Be ready to discuss situations where you've successfully collaborated with others or taken initiative on your own, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the competency-based questions by reflecting on your past experiences related to cleaning, caretaking, and customer service. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Hostel Caretaker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Hostel Caretaker position. Highlight your relevant experience in cleaning, caretaking, or customer service that aligns with the role.
Showcase Your Skills: When answering the competency-based questions, provide specific examples that demonstrate your skills and experiences. Focus on instances where you went the extra mile, maintained cleanliness, or ensured safety in previous roles.
Be Authentic: Avoid using AI tools for your application. Instead, write in your own voice to convey your personality and passion for the role. This authenticity will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares about the position.
Follow Application Instructions: Ensure you create an account and submit your application as instructed. Pay attention to the closing date and make sure all sections are completed accurately before submitting your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hackney
✨Show Your Proactive Attitude
Demonstrate your proactive nature by sharing examples of how you've gone the extra mile in previous roles. This could be anything from taking initiative in cleaning tasks to helping residents feel more comfortable in their environment.
✨Highlight Customer Care Experience
Since the role requires a good understanding of customer care, be prepared to discuss your past experiences in this area. Share specific instances where you provided excellent service or resolved issues effectively.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Independence
The job requires both teamwork and the ability to work independently. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to collaborate with others as well as instances where you successfully managed tasks on your own.
✨Understand Health and Safety Compliance
Familiarise yourself with basic health and safety regulations relevant to caretaking. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your work, as this is a key responsibility of the role.
