Caretaker Level 1

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week (Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4pm)

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Closing Date: 24 May 2026

Closing time: 11.59pm

Interview Method: Face to Face

Legal Right to Work: Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This role is subject to 2 References – where possible we require 3 years' history. Proof of Manchester Residency – Roles at Grade 1 to 3, traineeships, or apprenticeships will initially only be advertised to Manchester residents and internal candidates. An applicant is classed as a resident of Manchester if they live within the boundaries of the City of Manchester; i.e. any Council Tax liability for their home would be with Manchester City Council.

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance – this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice.

Driving Licence – The successful candidate must always hold a full valid driving licence as you will be required to drive a vehicle adhering to council regulations.

A caretaking role within MAES is an exciting and fulfilling opportunity because it places you at the heart of creating safe, welcoming, and supportive environments where learners and staff can thrive and flourish. It’s a role that blends practical responsibility with genuine purpose—every task you complete directly contributes to the smooth running of centres that empower people through education and personal development.

The variety of day‑to‑day activities keeps the work engaging, while the chance to help others, solve problems, and be a friendly, reliable presence makes it deeply rewarding. For someone who takes pride in their work and enjoys making a positive difference, a caretaking role with MAES offers both meaningful impact and daily job satisfaction.

A core aspect of the job is maintaining high standards of health and safety, ensuring that buildings, equipment, and facilities are compliant, secure, and ready for everyday use. This responsibility not only protects the wellbeing of everyone on site but also reinforces a culture of care and professionalism.

You will be a key point of contact for staff, learners and all stakeholders. You will join a successful team of professionals who are dedicated to delivering a safe, reliable, and welcoming learning environment across all MAES centres.

In this caretaking role, your contribution will directly enhance the quality of the service by ensuring buildings are well‑maintained, secure, and fully compliant with health and safety expectations. Your attention to detail and proactive approach will help minimise disruptions, support smooth daily operations, and create a positive experience for both learners and staff.

By keeping facilities clean, safe, and ready for use, you will play a vital role in enabling MAES to continue offering high‑quality education and community support to everyone who walks through the door.

For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager Tanique Daley at 07814 087906 and Tanique.Daley@manchester.gov.uk to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.

About the Candidate

A successful candidate should be dependable, practical, and takes pride in creating safe, clean, and welcoming environments. You should have strong attention to detail, ensuring that maintenance tasks, health and safety checks, and daily duties are carried out to a high standard. Good problem‑solving skills and the ability to work independently are essential, along with a proactive attitude—spotting issues before they become problems. You should also be approachable and courteous, as the role often involves supporting staff, learners, and visitors. Physical fitness, reliability, and a commitment to maintaining high standards across the site all contribute to someone who can truly excel in this position.

Essential Requirements

• Strong awareness of health and safety – including understanding of risk assessments, safe working practices, fire safety procedures, and the ability to maintain a safe environment for staff, learners, and visitors.
• Practical maintenance abilities – such as basic repairs, minor plumbing, decorating, and the ability to identify and report more complex issues promptly.
• Good organisational skills – being able to prioritise tasks, manage time effectively, and ensure daily duties and checks are completed to a high standard.
• Attention to detail – ensuring buildings are clean, secure, and well‑maintained, and spotting potential hazards before they become problems.
• Reliability and responsibility – consistently completing tasks, opening/closing buildings on time, and maintaining the security of the premises.
• Strong communication skills – being approachable and able to work positively with staff, contractors, learners, and visitors.
• Ability to work independently and use initiative – confidently making decisions and taking proactive steps when issues arise.
• Physical fitness – as the role often involves lifting, carrying, moving equipment, and being on your feet for extended periods.
• Basic IT skills – for logging maintenance requests, completing compliance checks, or using building management systems where required.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working in an educational or community setting, understanding the specific needs of learners, staff, and visitors.
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and commitment to maintaining a safe environment for vulnerable adults and young people.
• Formal training or certification in areas such as health and safety, first aid, COSHH, fire warden duties, or manual handling.
• Experience coordinating with contractors or supporting facilities management processes.
• Familiarity with building management systems (BMS) or other basic facilities software.
• Previous experience in a caretaking, facilities, or maintenance role within a busy, multi‑site environment.
• DIY or trade skills, such as basic joinery, electrical awareness, painting, or plumbing.
• Full UK driving licence, especially useful for multi‑site working.
• Ability to support events and room setups, including moving equipment and preparing spaces for classes or community activities.
• A flexible and adaptable approach, including willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends when required.

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand.
• We work together and trust each other.
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly.
• We own it and we’re not afraid to try new things.
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester.

Benefits We Offer

• Generous holiday allowance – Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension – You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three‑times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave – Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks – Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow – We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member – We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognise three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave – Give back to the community with three days pro‑rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, disabled people, and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments – Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats – Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text‑to‑speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirement for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans.
• Current or former care leavers.
• Have a disability or long‑term condition.

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability‑friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk.

What We Will Need From You if You’re Successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Pre‑Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre‑employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details. These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other Relevant Information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.