Mobile Cleaner - SW Locality

Role overview

The Education Authority (Northern Ireland) is recruiting a mobile cleaner for the SW Locality in Portadown. The post reports to the Cleaning Supervisor, or another authorised manager, and involves working as part of a team to clean areas within premises assigned by the line manager.

Main duties

• Carry out floor cleaning tasks such as sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dry buffing, spray cleaning, spray waxing, machine scrubbing, stripping and re-polishing, using the correct equipment.
• Remove marks and dirt from carpets and matting using suitable cleaning techniques.
• Clean toilets and shower rooms, including fixtures and fittings.
• Wash, dust and clean ledges, walls, fittings, furniture and internal surfaces up to 3.35 metres where needed.
• Empty and clean indoor waste bins and take rubbish to the designated collection area.

Working conditions and general requirements

All work must be completed in line with the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978, other relevant legislation and regulations, the COSHH regulations, and approved codes of practice. Duties will be performed under the usual conditions associated with this type of work.

The role includes covering colleagues who are absent through sickness, following Education Authority procedures. Any absence must also be reported using the correct process and recorded on the required forms, signed by the Building Supervisor.

Protective clothing or issued workwear must be worn while cleaning, and flat-soled, closed-toe footwear is required. Issued cleaning equipment must be used safely, maintained properly, and any faults reported immediately. All required paperwork must be completed. The post-holder may also be asked to undertake duties at the same grade, provided they are within their competence.

Training and development

Employees are expected to accept training for higher-graded work where required, although payment for such duties is only made if the authority requires the employee to carry out those higher-level tasks. Training for duties at and up to the employee’s grade may include induction and refresher training.

Equality, safeguarding and compliance

The post-holder must support good relations and equality of opportunity in line with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, and must give due regard to equality legislation at all times.

Because this role involves work in educational settings, it falls under safeguarding regulations. The successful candidate will need an enhanced disclosure check, currently costing £33, and payment details will be provided with the employment contract. If the role is classed as regulated activity, the Education Authority will arrange an enhanced disclosure of criminal background, and the candidate will be expected to pay for the certificate at the pre-employment stage.

Application guidance

Applicants must clearly show on the application form how they meet each question’s criteria, including essential and, where relevant, desirable criteria. This must be demonstrated by the closing date unless stated otherwise. Shortlisting will be based on the essential criteria in the application form, and the panel may shortlist only those it believes most strongly meet the role requirements. If there are too many applications, desirable criteria may also be used in the order listed.

Essential selection criteria

At interview, candidates will be assessed on knowledge of the school cleaner role, cleaning methods and machinery, and health and safety requirements relevant to the job, including COSHH. Candidates will also need to show they can work on their own initiative, handle pressure and deadlines, communicate clearly in English, organise and plan effectively, work well in a team, and adapt flexibly to instructions. Evidence of alignment with the authority’s ethos and values will also be reviewed.

Desirable criteria

Preferred experience includes at least three months of cleaning work outside the home environment and practical use of commercial cleaning equipment, such as buffing machinery.

Values and employer information

The selection process will also look for evidence that candidates share the organisation’s values, including commitment to equality and high standards of service. The Education Authority states that it is an equal opportunities employer.

Additional information

Further details on terms and conditions, applicant guidance notes, and the benefits of joining the Education Authority were referenced in the source posting, but the linked materials are not reproduced here.

To meet statutory health and safety obligations, the successful applicant will be required to complete any training needed and provided by the EA cleaning service.

The post is part of a school or education setting, so candidates should be prepared for compliance checks related to safeguarding and criminal background disclosure.