Premises Assistant

Role overview

This is a permanent, full-time Premises Assistant position based in Witham. The role sits within Adult Community Learning (ACL), Essex County Council’s lifelong learning service for Essex residents. The centre supports people who want to gain qualifications, build workplace skills, improve life chances, and access learning that promotes creativity, healthier living, social inclusion, and community participation.

The post is focused on keeping the learning environment safe, secure, tidy, and ready for use. You will be responsible for caretaking and cleaning duties, along with day-to-day monitoring of health and safety standards across the centre.

Working pattern and location

The main base is Witham, but the role requires flexibility to support ACL sites in Maldon, Witham, or Chelmsford depending on service needs.

• Maldon: Monday, 08:00 to 16:30
• Witham: Tuesday, 14:00 to 22:00
• Witham: Wednesday, 11:15 to 19:15
• Witham: Thursday, 09:00 to 17:00
• Witham: Friday, 09:30 to 16:30

During school term breaks, the working pattern shifts to daytime hours.

Key duties

You will help maintain the security, cleanliness, and smooth running of the site, while supporting staff, learners, visitors, and contractors.

Additional information

Salary for this role is £25,959 per year. The closing date is 21 June 2026. This position is described as a fixed-base worker role. The job requires mobility across the operational area, so the post holder must have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or be able to meet the mobility requirement by other suitable means.

Essex County Council is a Disability Confident Leader and will interview disabled applicants under its Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria. Veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements are also guaranteed an interview. Reasonable adjustments can be discussed during recruitment. The council also supports unpaid carers through employee benefits and flexible working arrangements.

Employment is subject to the council’s standards of conduct, including the Nolan principles. Depending on the role, a DBS check may be required, and if so the employee must register with the DBS update service and keep that subscription active each year. Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Queries about the role can be directed to the recruiter via ami.fosker@essex.gov.uk.

About Essex County Council

Essex County Council is one of the UK’s largest and most active local authorities, serving around 1.8 million people across more than 1,420 square miles. The council focuses on improvement, innovation, and delivering public services that offer strong value. It operates in a changing local government landscape, with Greater Essex set for reorganisation into five unitary authorities from April 2028 and work underway toward a Mayoral Combined County Authority.

Core responsibilities

• Control access to the building, including opening and securing the premises, holding keys for emergencies, answering out-of-hours calls, and operating alarms as needed.
• Carry out cleaning and caretaking tasks so the site remains safe, efficient, and presentable for staff, learners, and visitors.
• Set up rooms and arrange teaching materials and equipment in line with tutor and visitor bookings.
• Support and organise emergency evacuation procedures in line with health and safety guidance.
• Prevent unauthorised entry to the site and discourage unauthorised vehicle parking wherever possible within policy limits.
• Receive and assist members of the public, colleagues, and contractors in a professional and welcoming manner.
• Keep an up-to-date inventory of centre equipment and carry out annual review checks.
• Test and inspect electrical equipment to confirm it is working safely.
• Carry out health and safety risk assessments, including for external areas, and ensure procedures are followed.
• Monitor systems, equipment, contractors, and on-site personnel to make sure work is completed to specification and in line with safety rules.
• Maintain the grounds by mowing, removing weeds, clearing litter, and ensuring drains and gullies remain clean and free-flowing.
• Clear snow and maintain access to the premises in all weather conditions.

Essential requirements

• Education equivalent to RQF Level 2 / GCSE, or relevant practical experience in place of formal qualifications.
• Previous hands-on experience in cleaning, caretaking, or maintenance work.
• Working knowledge of health and safety expectations, including manual handling.
• Confidence using basic digital tools such as email, Microsoft Teams, and simple administrative systems.
• A practical, proactive attitude and willingness to learn and develop through training.
• Strong problem-solving approach with the ability to deal with tasks in a hands-on way.
• Good interpersonal skills, with a friendly and approachable manner when dealing with visitors and colleagues.

Why this role may appeal

The post offers the chance to contribute to a community-focused learning environment, work across a varied site-based setting, and develop your skills through training and on-the-job experience.