Cleaner

Role overview

The Education Authority in Northern Ireland is hiring a Cleaner for its Portglenone site. The role reports to the Cleaning Supervisor, or another delegated representative, and sits within a team responsible for keeping assigned areas of the premises clean and hygienic.

What the role involves

You will support daily cleaning across designated areas of the facility, using suitable methods and equipment to maintain standards throughout the building.

• Carry out floor cleaning tasks such as sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dry buffing, spray cleaning, spray waxing, machine scrubbing, stripping and re-polishing where required.
• Treat soft flooring such as carpets and matting using the appropriate stain removal and cleaning techniques.
• Clean toilet and shower rooms, including fittings and fixtures.
• Wash, dust and polish ledges, walls, fixtures, fittings and internal surfaces up to 3.35 metres, including furniture where appropriate.
• Empty internal waste bins, clean them as needed, and move litter to the designated collection areas.

Working standards and conditions

All work must be completed in line with health and safety requirements, including the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978, COSHH regulations, other applicable legislation, and recognised codes of practice. Duties are performed in the normal conditions associated with this type of work.

You may be asked to cover colleagues who are absent through sickness in line with the Education Authority’s procedures. Any absence must be reported according to procedure, and the relevant forms must be filled in and signed by the Building Supervisor.

Issued protective clothing or work wear must be worn while carrying out cleaning duties. Flat-soled, closed-toe footwear is also required. Any equipment provided must be used safely and maintained properly, and faults or damage must be reported immediately. All required paperwork must be completed.

The post may also involve carrying out duties at the same grade, provided those duties fall within the employee’s competence.

Training and development

The successful candidate must be willing to undertake any training needed to support duties up to and including their own grade. This includes induction training and refresher training. Where the Education Authority requires a person to undertake higher-grade duties, training for those tasks may also be accepted, with payment applicable only when such duties are formally required.

Equality, safeguarding and criminal record checks

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

Because the job involves work in an educational setting, it falls under safeguarding requirements for regulated activity. The successful candidate will need an enhanced disclosure check, which currently costs £33. Payment details will be provided with the employment contract and at the pre-employment stage. The role may require compliance with guidance from NI Direct or the Department of Justice regarding criminal background disclosure.

Application and selection notes

Applicants must clearly show on the application form how they meet each relevant criterion, as failure to do so may affect shortlisting. 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. If there are many applications, desirable criteria may also be used at shortlisting, applied in the order listed. The selection panel may choose only those applicants it considers strongest for the role.

Essential requirements

Applicants should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the responsibilities of a school cleaner, relevant cleaning methods and machinery, and health and safety requirements connected to the role, including COSHH. During interview, the panel will also look for the following:

• Ability to work on own initiative and remain effective under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to understand instructions and communicate in English.
• Good organisation and planning ability.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• A flexible attitude and willingness to follow instructions.
• Evidence that personal work style and experience reflect the Education Authority’s ethos and values.

Desirable background

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

Employer values

The Education Authority places importance on equality and excellence in service delivery, with a focus on removing barriers to learning and ensuring equal access to high-quality education services so that every child and young person can reach their potential. The organisation is an equal opportunities employer.

Additional information

Further details about the summary of terms and conditions, applicant guidance notes, and employee benefits are referenced in the original vacancy information.

Responsible to: Cleaning Supervisor or other authorised person.