Site Maintenance Operative in Newbury

Hours: 37 per week all year round, 0800-1600 or 1000-1800 shift pattern weekdays only, although you may occasionally be expected to undertake a later shift 1200-2000. You would also be on-call one weekend a month.

Responsible to: Operations Supervisor

General: Mary Hare educates profoundly deaf children at its residential school in Berkshire, and we pride ourselves on our pupils’ achievements at GCSE, A-Level, BTEC and Vocational Courses. We teach highly motivated children in small classes, where you can help contribute to the real difference we make at this national centre of excellence for deaf education. No knowledge of sign language is required, as we follow an auditory/oral philosophy. Mary Hare occupies 124 acres near Snelsmore Common comprising extensive grounds, playing fields, parkland and substantial woodlands. There is a complex built estate ranging from the 1859 Arlington Manor and outbuildings, through the 1950s secondary school, several residential buildings, swimming pool, arts centre, to the state of the art primary school and boarding house completed in 2022.

The Role: Under the direction of the Operations Supervisor and together with the other members of the estates and grounds team, you would contribute to the smooth running of the school by delivering a range of duties and tasks to the highest standards, including preventative and reactive maintenance and small projects, grounds work, and security and supervision of the site and related equipment. You will help maintain a built and natural estate that provides a safe, secure and well‑maintained environment, encouraging learning and complying with all legal requirements and statutory responsibilities. The post holder would be rostered as part of the normal shift pattern (usually 0800-1600 or 1000-1800, but occasionally could be later shift) and have some routine duties outside of normal working hours, including as part of the facilities and estates team on‑call rota, typically one weekend in every 4, but occasionally weekday on‑call duties.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintenance and Grounds: In response to reactive maintenance requests, as set by the Operations Supervisor, or nominated manager in their absence, to carry out repairs and maintenance to the buildings, facilities and infrastructure within your competence, possibly including plumbing, carpentry/joinery, painting and decorating, patch plastering, glazing, general maintenance, and grounds maintenance. Monitoring the standards of the premises, fixtures and fittings and reporting any problems or faults, repairs or maintenance work required to the Operations Supervisor, pro‑actively dealing with any maintenance or estates issues within your capability. Taking delivery of stores, materials and other goods and conveying them to their points of distribution.
• Safety, Site & Supervision: Having a positive attitude to safety, and ensuring that you keep safety to the foremost, both your own and that of others. Assisting the Operations Supervisor in ensuring that the legal provisions relating to Health and Safety at work are properly adhered to, including the safe storage of any flammable/toxic substances on site in accordance with appropriate regulations (excluding school teaching workshops/laboratories). When on‑call, responding outside normal working hours to fire and burglar alarms (not fire drills, unless they highlight a maintenance issue). Response to any fire alarms would include acting as Fire Liaison Officer in the absence of any senior management to help direct the Fire Service.
• Swimming Pool Cleaning and Maintenance: Be aware of, and adhere to, the Mary Hare Pool Safe Operating Procedures, ensuring that any users observed also comply. Following successful completion of the Pool Plant Operator course, and when rostered, respond to and be responsible for the maintenance, cleaning, and the dosing of the pool and all pool facilities, under the direction of the Operations Supervisor.
• Grounds Maintenance: When the situation demands, assisting with grounds maintenance tasks as needed, possibly including the use of mowing and cutting equipment, line marking, ground works and small forestry work – training will be provided where necessary. In conjunction with colleagues, carrying out appropriate soil husbandry and enhancement on the estate, including where necessary watering, weeding, scrub/debris clearing, and planting appropriate to the current and projected land use.
• General Duties: The role will involve using appropriate vehicles in discharge of duties, eg minibus, pickup, ride‑on mowers and tractors. Occasional collection and delivery of equipment and provisions within and, where reasonable, away from school premises. Where necessary, initiate the Snow and Ice Plan, clearing and salting/gritting where necessary and the use of manual and powered snow clearing appliances, and participating in transport arrangements.
• School Support: To be aware of, and comply with, the policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, health and safety, security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person. To contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the school. To participate in training, other learning activities and professional development as may be reasonably directed. To undertake and maintain a First Aid qualification, and to act as a first‑aider should it be necessary.

Person Specification:

• Essential Qualifications: General Certificate of Secondary Education or equivalent (including English and Maths), Clean Driving Licence Cat B.
• Desirable Qualifications: Formal Craft Qualifications at Level 2 or higher, or equivalent experience. We are particularly interested in those with qualifications in carpentry or heating systems, but any trade qualification is welcome.
• Knowledge and Experience: Good craft skills; one or more of eg: painting, plumbing/heating systems, carpentry, electrics, drains and sewerage systems, roofing and gutters. Passion for working within the maintenance industry. Awareness of Safeguarding requirements and good practice within an education setting. Cat D1 Driving Licence. Experience of swimming pool maintenance.
• Skills and Personal Qualities: Excellent communication skills to enable effective dialogue with colleagues, staff, visitors, and where applicable, students. Organised and self‑motivated, with a proven record for good time‑keeping, meeting targets and deadlines. Able to perform well and remain professional whilst under pressure. Dedicated team‑player, who strives for excellence and leads by example. Tactful and discreet, and mindful of observing Safeguarding and professional standards. Displays a smart and professional appearance, representing the school in a positive manner. Reliable and stable. Pro‑active approach and well‑developed problem‑solving skills. Enthusiastic, with an eagerness to learn new skills and a commitment to continuous personal development. High level of accuracy and attention to detail. Self‑motivated and able to work alone without direction. Adaptable and flexible with working patterns when required. Committed to contributing toward the school community. Good numeric and computer skills (Microsoft Outlook preferable). Practical and constructional. Reasonable physical fitness appropriate to the role.

Essential Values, Behaviors and Attitudes: All employees are expected to actively promote and demonstrate the six core values of the school: Learners First, Community is Key, Integrity & Respect, Empower & Energise Others.

This School is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a criminal records self‑disclosure form and successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks. We are committed to securing genuine equality of opportunity in all aspects of our activities as an employer and education provider.