Cleaner

Overview

The Education Authority (Northern Ireland) is seeking a Cleaner to undertake cleaning duties across school premises under the supervision of the Cleaning Supervisor or other authorized personnel. This role involves various cleaning tasks ensuring health and safety standards are met and premises are maintained to a high standard.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform sweeping, suction cleaning, mopping, dry buffing, spray cleaning, waxing, machine scrubbing, stripping, and re-polishing floors using appropriate equipment.
• Clean and remove stains from soft floor surfaces such as carpets and matting using suitable methods.
• Maintain cleanliness of toilets and shower areas, including fixtures and fittings.
• Wash and dust ledges, walls, fixtures, fittings, and internal surfaces up to 3.35 meters, including polishing furniture where applicable.
• Empty and clean internal litter bins, removing waste to designated collection points.
• Cover colleagues during sick leave as per the Education Authority’s procedures.

Conditions and Compliance

• Adhere to Health and Safety at Work legislation, COSHH regulations, and applicable codes of practice.
• Wear protective clothing or workwear and flat-soled enclosed-toe footwear while performing cleaning tasks.
• Use and maintain cleaning equipment safely and report defects immediately.
• Complete all necessary paperwork associated with cleaning duties.
• Be willing to undertake duties within own grade and those at the same grade where competent.

Training and Development

• Complete required training including induction and refresher courses provided by the EA cleaning service.
• Undertake training for duties at own grade or higher levels if requested, with payment applicable for higher-level duties as required.

Person Specification

Applicants must clearly demonstrate how they meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed below, providing evidence in their applications under each relevant question. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in exclusion from shortlisting.

Essential Criteria

• Understanding of the duties and requirements of a school cleaner.
• Knowledge of cleaning methods, machinery and relevant Health and Safety practices including COSHH.
• Ability to work under pressure, use own initiative, and meet deadlines.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills in English including the ability to follow instructions.
• Organizational abilities and effective planning skills.
• Capability to work as part of a team with a flexible and cooperative attitude.

Desirable Criteria

• Minimum of three months’ experience cleaning in environments outside the home.
• Experience operating a variety of commercial cleaning equipment such as buffing machines.

Additional Information

Employment is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background in accordance with the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007. The successful candidate must meet statutory health and safety training requirements. Payment for the disclosure certificate, currently £33, will be required at the pre-employment stage.

Applicants should be committed to the Education Authority's values including equality of opportunity and service excellence to meet the diverse needs of children and young people.

All duties must be performed complying with relevant legislation and internal policies. Attendance and absence reporting must follow Education Authority procedures.