Cleaner

Role overview

The Education Authority (Northern Ireland) is recruiting a Cleaner for its Newtownabbey location. The post holder will work as part of a team to keep designated areas of the premises clean and in good order, following direction from the line manager or another authorised person.

Key duties

• Carry out floor care using the suitable equipment and method, including sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dry buffing, spray cleaning, spray waxing, machine scrubbing, drying, stripping and re-polishing.
• Remove marks and clean soft floor coverings such as carpets and matting using the appropriate process.
• Clean toilets and shower areas, including associated fixtures and fittings.
• Dust, wash and clean ledges, walls, internal surfaces, fixtures and fittings up to 3.35 metres, and polish furniture where required.
• Empty and clean indoor waste bins and take rubbish to the allocated collection points.

Working conditions and general requirements

• All work must comply with health and safety legislation, relevant statutory requirements, COSHH rules and applicable codes of practice.
• The role involves standard cleaning conditions typically associated with this type of work.
• You may be asked to cover colleagues who are absent due to sickness, in line with Education Authority procedures.
• Any absence must be reported using the correct procedure, and the required forms must be completed and signed by the Building Supervisor.
• Issued protective clothing or workwear must be worn while carrying out cleaning tasks.
• Flat-soled, closed-toe footwear must also be worn for cleaning duties.
• Cleaning equipment provided must be used safely, looked after properly and any faults reported immediately.
• All required paperwork must be completed.
• Where competent to do so, duties may also include tasks at the same grade and below, as required.

Training

The successful candidate must be willing to undertake training as needed. This includes induction training, refresher training, and any higher-grade task training required by the authority. Payment for higher-level duties is only made when such duties are specifically required by the authority.

Shortlisting and application guidance

Applicants must show clearly on the application form how they meet each criterion, both essential and desirable where relevant. Evidence must be provided by the closing date unless stated otherwise. Shortlisting will be based on the essential criteria in Section 1, using only the information in the application form. The panel may choose only those applicants it considers to best match the role, and if there are too many applications, desirable criteria may also be used for shortlisting in the order listed.

Essential criteria

To be considered initially, candidates should have at least 3 months of practical experience in a cleaning role. They may also need to complete training required to meet health and safety obligations, provided by the EA cleaning service.

At interview, candidates should be able to show knowledge of school cleaning duties, cleaning methods and machinery, and health and safety requirements relevant to the role, including COSHH.

Applicants should also demonstrate the ability to work on their own initiative, stay effective under pressure and to deadlines, communicate clearly and take instructions in English, plan and organise work well, work cooperatively in a team, and remain flexible and willing to follow instruction.

Evidence is also required that the candidate’s work style and experience reflect the Education Authority’s ethos and values.

Desirable criteria

Preference may be given, where needed, to applicants with 1 year of experience cleaning outside the home environment and/or experience using a range of commercial cleaning equipment, such as buffing machines.

Equality, safeguarding and disclosure

The Education Authority states that it is an equal opportunities employer. The post-holder is expected to support good relations, equality of opportunity and compliance with equality legislation under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Because this role involves work in educational settings and may amount to regulated activity, an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background will be required if appointed. The applicant will be expected to cover the cost of the Enhanced Disclosure Certificate, which currently stands at £33. Payment instructions will be provided at pre-employment stage and further information is available from NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

Additional information

The Education Authority also notes that applicant guidance and a summary of terms and conditions are available for this post, along with information about employee benefits.