Cleaner

Role overview

The Education Authority in Northern Ireland is seeking a Cleaner to work on-site in Ballyclare. The post reports to the Cleaning Supervisor, or another delegated officer, and is part of a team responsible for keeping designated areas within the premises clean and well maintained.

Main duties

• Carry out floor cleaning tasks such as sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dry buffing, spray cleaning, spray waxing, machine scrubbing, drying, stripping and re-polishing using the correct equipment.
• Remove stains and clean soft floor coverings such as carpets and mats using the appropriate method.
• Clean toilets and shower facilities, including their fixtures and fittings.
• Wash, dust and clean ledges, walls, fixtures, fittings and internal surfaces up to 3.35 metres, and polish furniture when required.
• Empty and clean indoor litter bins and take waste to the designated collection points.

General conditions

• All work must be completed in line with health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978, relevant Acts of Parliament, statutory instruments, regulations, codes of practice and COSHH requirements.
• Working conditions will be those normally associated with this type of role.
• You may be asked to cover colleagues who are absent due to sickness in accordance with Education Authority procedures.
• Any absence must be reported using the required process, and the relevant forms must be completed and signed by the Building Supervisor.
• Issued protective clothing or workwear must be worn while performing cleaning duties.
• Flat-soled, enclosed-toe footwear must be worn during cleaning tasks.
• All issued cleaning equipment must be used safely and cared for properly, and any defects must be reported immediately.
• All required paperwork must be completed.
• You may be asked to undertake duties at the same grade, provided they are within your competence.

Training

• You must be willing to attend any training needed for higher-graded duties, where payment is only made if the authority requires those duties to be performed.
• You must also accept training needed to carry out duties up to and including your own grade.
• Training will include induction and refresher sessions.

Equal opportunities and safeguarding

Under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the successful candidate is expected to support good relations, equality of opportunity and compliance with equality legislation at all times. Posts in educational settings are covered by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007, so the successful applicant will need an enhanced disclosure check, which currently costs £33. Payment arrangements for this check will be provided with the employment contract.

Application guidance

• Applicants must clearly show on the application form how they meet each question’s criteria, including essential and where relevant desirable criteria, or they may not be shortlisted.
• Evidence must be provided by the closing date unless stated otherwise.
• Shortlisting will be based on the essential criteria in Section 1 using the application form.
• The panel may choose to shortlist only those candidates it considers strongest for the role.
• If there are too many applications, desirable criteria from Section 3 may also be used at shortlisting, in the order listed.

Essential criteria

Applicants should be able to show knowledge of school cleaning work, cleaning methods and machinery, and health and safety requirements relevant to the role, including COSHH. The role also calls for the ability to use initiative, work well under pressure to meet deadlines, communicate effectively in English, organise work efficiently, cooperate as part of a team, and remain flexible and willing to follow instructions. Candidates should be able to show that their approach to work reflects the Education Authority’s values and ethos.

Desirable criteria

• Three months’ experience cleaning in a non-domestic environment.
• Proven experience using commercial cleaning equipment, such as buffing machinery.

Additional information

The post-holder is expected to help promote equality, inclusion and excellent service delivery, supporting the Education Authority’s aim of removing barriers to learning and ensuring that all children and young people can access high-quality education services and reach their full potential. The Education Authority is an equal opportunities employer.