Afternoon & Evening Caretaker

Job Introduction

With more than 2,000 students, 200 staff and numerous visitors attending the College each day, Queen Mary’s is a very busy place.  The site is large at 23 acres and includes a sports centre and theatre. The site is made up of a number of separate buildings which vary in age and furnishings. There is a dedicated team of site services personnel, including: this role, a morning caretaker, grounds person, student and site security officer, cleaning staff and the Site Services Manager.  The Team keeps the site suitably maintained, welcoming, clean and safe for staff, students and visitors.  A recent Ofsted report graded us as Outstanding for Student Attitudes and Behaviour.

The ideal applicant for this role is a reliable team player who will take responsibility for locking up each weekday evening. A self-starter with a strong eye for detail and someone comfortable working on their own and with others. The evening shift will start at 1pm for caretaking and team tasks, with lock up generally completed by 9pm Monday to Friday. There will be some exceptions to this for shows and events, when lock up can be later and the shift start time will be adjusted or lieu accrued. The individual will take pride in their role and help us provide a safe and well-maintained site for our students and stakeholders.  

Purpose of Job: To maintain buildings and other assets to provide a safe, secure and fit for purpose environment for students, staff, visitors and the wider community to enjoy.

 Accountable to: Site Services and Estates Manager

Key Outcomes:

• Site locked and secured each evening after use
• Safe and secure buildings and premises
• Maintenance and redecoration duties to ensure study and workspaces are fit for purpose and kept to a high standard
• Support for Exams Team to ensure compliant delivery of examinations
• Support for Sports Centre and Sport/PE Department to ensure safe delivery of services and equipment compliance
• Support Site Services and Estates Manager with contractor management
• Support Site Services and Estates Manager to ensure College complies with legislative and College policies, processes and arrangements
• Promotion of the College its amenities and brand protection
• Safe management and monitoring of water systems to support College water hygiene and water safety compliance.
• Identification and rectification of trip hazards and other minor site safety concerns to maintain a safe environment for staff, students, visitors, and contractors.
• Provision of basic plumbing maintenance and repairs to support the effective operation of College facilities.
• Provision of first-line support in response to electrical trips and power outages, ensuring issues are reported and escalated appropriately where required.

Specific Responsibilities - The post holder is responsible for a range of duties, which include, but are not limited to:

• Ensuring the night-time security of the buildings and site in general. Locking up and alarm setting
• Minimising cost and wastage by switching off lighting and heating as appropriate
• Making safe pedestrian routes and ensuring lighting is sufficient during the hours of darkness to enable safe passage.
• To exercise key holder responsibility on a shared basis
• Porterage of deliveries, furniture and equipment as required
• Cleaning duties if required
• Routine maintenance and upkeep of minibuses
• Maintenance and decorating tasks to support the Maintenance Technician
• Identifying faults and minor works for attention and proactively addressing where skills set allows
• Supporting our commercial operations department by managing expectations of non QMC users and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone on campus
• Disposal of broken and damaged assets in line with waste management regulations and contractor limitations
• To act as a member of the emergency evacuation team
• To ensure Safeguarding commitments are upheld and followed by all
• Undertake routine water safety checks as directed, including monitoring of water systems, temperature testing, flushing regimes, and reporting any concerns in accordance with College procedures and statutory requirements.
• Support the College's water hygiene management programme to minimise risks associated with water systems and ensure compliance with relevant legislation and guidance.
• Carry out regular inspections of buildings and grounds to identify trip hazards, slip hazards, and other site safety issues, taking corrective action where possible and reporting defects promptly.
• Undertake basic plumbing tasks including repairing minor leaks, replacing taps, unblocking sinks and toilets, and carrying out minor repairs to sanitary fittings.
• Provide first-response support for electrical trips and power interruptions, including resetting circuits where authorised and safe to do so, and reporting faults requiring specialist attention.
• Assist with routine safety inspections and report any electrical, mechanical, or building-related defects to the Site Services and Estates Manager.
• Maintain accurate records of water safety checks, site inspections, maintenance activities, and remedial actions as required.

 Person Specification:

Essential

• Previous caretaking and/or maintenance or advanced DIY experience is desirable
• Willing to work independently but with a strong team ethic
• Able to use initiative and have a ‘can do’ attitude
• Be friendly and approachable, delivering excellent customer service to stakeholders
• Reliable, trustworthy and responsible
• Flexible and proactive approach to responsibilities
• A sense of humour appropriate to working in a setting with young people 
• Good practical maintenance skills with the ability to undertake basic plumbing repairs and minor building maintenance tasks safely and effectively.
• Awareness of health and safety requirements relating to premises management and site maintenance.
• Ability to identify hazards, assess risks, and take appropriate remedial action within own level of competence.

Desirable

• Knowledge of water hygiene and water safety procedures, including Legionella control measures.
• Experience of carrying out basic plumbing repairs and general building maintenance.
• Understanding of basic electrical systems and confidence in providing first-line support for electrical trips and faults within the limits of training and competence.
• Previous experience working within an educational, commercial, or public-sector environment.

Please email HR on jobs@qmc.ac.uk if you have any questions

Safer Recruitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.