Cleaning Services Cleaner

Role overview

The Education Authority (Northern Ireland) is seeking a Cleaning Services Cleaner to work in Portadown. Reporting to the Cleaning Supervisor, or another authorised person, you will be part of a team responsible for cleaning allocated areas within the premises.

What the role involves

• Carry out floor cleaning tasks using suitable equipment and methods, including sweeping, vacuuming/suction cleaning, mopping, dry buffing, spray cleaning, spray waxing, machine scrubbing, stripping, and re-polishing.
• Treat soft floor coverings such as carpets and matting by removing stains and cleaning them with the correct technique.
• Clean washrooms and shower areas, including fittings and fixtures.
• Wipe, wash, and dust ledges, walls, fixtures, fittings, and internal surfaces up to 3.35 metres, and polish furniture where needed.
• Empty and clean internal waste bins and take refuse to the assigned collection point.

Working conditions and general requirements

• All work must follow the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978, relevant Acts, Statutory Instruments, regulations, COSHH requirements, and approved codes of practice.
• Duties are to be performed in the normal conditions associated with this kind of cleaning work.
• You may be required to cover colleagues who are absent due to sickness, in line with Education Authority procedures.
• Absences must be reported according to Education Authority procedure, and the correct forms must be completed and signed by the Building Supervisor.
• Issued protective clothing or workwear must be worn while carrying out cleaning duties.
• Flat-soled, enclosed-toe footwear is required during cleaning work.
• Any equipment provided must be used safely and maintained properly, and faults must be reported immediately.
• All required paperwork must be completed.
• You may also be asked to carry out tasks up to and including those in the same grade, provided you are competent to do so.

Training

• You must be willing to undertake training for higher-graded duties when required.
• Additional payment for higher-level duties will only apply where the authority requires those duties to be performed.
• You must also complete training that supports duties up to and including your own grade.
• Training will include induction training and refresher training.
• The role includes training required to meet health and safety obligations, provided by the EA cleaning service.

Equality, safeguarding, and disclosure

The post-holder is expected to support good relations, equality of opportunity, and compliance with equality law in line with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Posts in educational settings are subject to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007. If appointed to a role involving regulated activity, an enhanced criminal background disclosure will be required. The current cost of the enhanced disclosure check is £33, and payment arrangements will be confirmed with the contract or at pre-employment stage.

Application guidance

• Applicants must clearly explain on the application form how they meet each criterion; incomplete answers may result in no shortlist decision.
• Evidence must be provided by the closing date unless the criterion states otherwise.
• Shortlisting is initially based on the essential criteria in Section 1 using the application form.
• The panel may decide to shortlist only candidates who most strongly match the requirements.
• If there are too many applications, desirable criteria may also be used at shortlisting, in the order listed.
• Where desirable criteria are used, candidates should also show clearly how they meet them on the application form.
• The Education Authority is an equal opportunities employer.

Essential criteria

Candidates should be able to show knowledge of the duties of a school cleaner, cleaning methods and machinery, and health and safety requirements relevant to the role, including COSHH. They must also demonstrate the ability to take initiative, work under pressure to deadlines, communicate effectively in English, organise and plan work well, work as part of a team, and adapt flexibly to instructions. Candidates should also provide evidence that their experience and approach align with the Education Authority’s values and ethos.

Desirable criteria

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

Values

Selection will also consider whether a candidate’s personal values match the Education Authority’s commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery, with the aim of removing barriers to learning and ensuring every child and young person can access high-quality education services and reach their potential.