Cleaner

Role overview

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) is hiring a Cleaner for its Crumlin, Northern Ireland site. The post is a full-time, on-site position and is focused on keeping assigned areas clean and hygienic as part of a team, under the direction of the line manager or another authorised person.

What the role involves

The successful candidate will carry out a range of cleaning tasks across the premises, using the appropriate tools, products and methods for each area.

• Clean floors by sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dry buffing, spray cleaning, spray waxing, machine scrubbing, stripping and re-polishing as required.
• Remove marks and clean soft flooring such as carpets and matting using suitable cleaning techniques.
• Clean toilets, showers and associated fixtures and fittings.
• Wash, dust and clean ledges, walls, fixtures, fittings and internal surfaces up to 3.35 metres, and polish furniture when appropriate.
• Empty and clean internal litter bins and take waste to the designated collection points.

Work expectations and general conditions

All duties must be performed in line with relevant health and safety law, statutory requirements, COSHH regulations and codes of practice. Work will be carried out in the normal conditions associated with this type of role.

The role includes covering colleagues during sickness absence in accordance with Education Authority procedures. Any absence must be reported correctly, and the required forms must be completed and signed by the Building Supervisor.

Issued protective clothing or workwear must be worn while cleaning, and flat-soled, closed-toe footwear is required. Any equipment provided must be used safely and maintained properly, with defects reported immediately. The post-holder is also expected to complete all required paperwork and may be asked to carry out duties at the same grade, provided they are within their competence.

Training and compliance

The successful applicant must complete any necessary training provided by the EA cleaning service to meet health and safety obligations. Training may include induction and refresher sessions, and the post-holder must also accept training that supports duties up to and including their own grade. Training for higher-graded duties may also be required where relevant and paid only when the Authority requires those duties to be carried out.

This post requires the holder to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and compliance with equality legislation in line with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Roles in educational settings are also subject to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 and may require an enhanced disclosure check.

Candidate guidance

Applicants are expected to explain clearly on the application form how they meet each essential and, where relevant, desirable criterion. This must be demonstrated by the closing date. Shortlisting will primarily be based on the essential criteria, although desirable criteria may also be applied if there are too many applicants. The panel may shortlist only those considered to meet the role most strongly.

Disclosure and costs

If appointed to a post involving regulated activity, the Education Authority will require an enhanced criminal background disclosure. The current cost of the enhanced disclosure certificate is £33, and payment details will be provided at the pre-employment stage or with the contract of employment.

Essential criteria

Applicants should be able to show knowledge of the duties of a school cleaner, cleaning methods and machinery, and the health and safety requirements relevant to the role, including COSHH. They should also demonstrate the ability to use initiative, work under pressure to meet deadlines, communicate clearly in English, follow instructions, plan and organise work effectively, work well as part of a team, and stay flexible and willing to carry out instructions. Candidates must also show that their approach reflects the organisation’s ethos and values.

Desirable criteria

Preference may be given to candidates who can show at least three months of experience cleaning in an environment outside the home, as well as experience using commercial cleaning equipment such as buffing machinery.

Values

The Education Authority places emphasis on equality and excellence in service delivery, with the wider aim of supporting all children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning, and ensuring equal access to high-quality education services so that every child can develop to their full potential.

Employer information

The Education Authority is an equal opportunities employer.

Terms and conditions

Further details on the post’s terms and conditions and applicant guidance notes are available with the recruitment information provided by the employer.