Fixed Term Scout (Housekeeper)

Brasenose College, University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000

Job description

Fixed Term Scout (Housekeeper)

Department: Housekeeping

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Part Time

Location: Brasenose College

Reporting To: Head Housekeeper

Compensation: £12.60 / hour

Description

Please note that all applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, and shortlisted candidates invited for interview. Should the role be filled before the closing date, we reserve the right to close the vacancy.
Scouts are responsible for providing a consistently high standard of cleaning service to students, staff and visitors to the College and its annexes. Brasenose College has four sites; College main site and three accommodation sites (Frewin Annex, St Cross and Hollybush). Scouts must be willing to work at any of the College sites in central Oxford.
This is a Fixed Term Contract to 30th June 2025.

General responsibilities

• To check keys in and out of Lodge personally each day.
• To wear the uniform provided and any protective clothing supplied and follow directions on safe working methods.
• To provide holiday and sickness cover for colleagues, as required by the demands of the service to residents and visitors at various locations.
• To be familiar with, and work in accordance with, all College’s policies and procedures.
• To promote a safe, healthy and secure environment.

The post holder will be expected to undertake any other duties or tasks as reasonably directed or requested by the Head Housekeeper and Deputy Housekeepers.

Duties and Responsibilities

This is a generic job description so not all the duties listed below are carried out at all sites.

General daily duties - (all sites)

• Cleaning of residential areas (student rooms, fellows teaching rooms and fellows living quarters, guest rooms).
• To clean the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen areas, teaching rooms and corridor/stairwells in the designated work areas as directed by the Housekeeper/Deputy to the specified standard.
• In sanitary areas, to scrub and de-scale baths, tiles and showerheads where necessary, to clean basins, plugholes, toilets, shower cubicles and around light switches and door handles etc., vacuum and mop floors.
• To empty bins and to ensure adequate supplies of toiletries, clean towels etc. for guests and residents.
• Cleaning of sills, walls, doors, floors, shelves, desks, lamps, coffee tables, chairs.
• At the end of each term to ensure all cupboards, drawers, wardrobes are clear and clean of belongings from previous residents e.g. food stuff, shampoos, clothes etc. ensuring that items that may be of value to a student are given to the housekeeper for safe storage.
• To report any defective lighting, plumbing or heating problems to Maintenance. To report any broken equipment such as vacuum cleaners.
• To report to the Housekeeper/Deputy any student absence and any damage to property including any pictures/posters that are fixed directly to the walls with tack or similar fixture.
• Report any unauthorised electrical goods.
• To ensure all cleaning equipment is kept in good working order by cleaning after use and carrying out tasks, e.g. emptying vacuum bags, cleaning filters. Leaving all mop heads, washing cloths and dusters in the locker room so that they can be taken to the laundry room for washing.
• The cleaning of stairwells and removing cobwebs.
• To carry out periodic/seasonal duties as directed by the Housekeeper/Deputy.

Student kitchens - (Frewin, Hollybush Row and St Cross)

• To empty bins, clean worktops, sink, inside microwave, wipe any spillages/splashes on tiles, walls, cupboard fronts, inside oven and inside fridges, vacuum and mop floor, in accordance with specified standards.
• To thoroughly clean ovens, microwave ovens, refrigerators and freezers, inside cupboards and storage, in accordance with specified standards.

Offices - (on main site and teaching rooms at Frewin)

• To vacuum, dust and empty bins, clean brass on doors and around fires. Replace tea towels and hand towels.

Conferences and B&B Accommodation - (College and Frewin, Easter and summer)

• Ensuring rooms are thoroughly cleaned after students vacate for holiday and are prepared for the arrival of Conference and Bed and Breakfast guests. Rooms must be serviced daily changing bed linen and towels.

General

• The post holder will be required to be familiar with, and work in accordance with, all College’s policies and procedures.
• To participate in training and development required by the College.
• To be willing and prepared to undertake any other duties as directed by Head Housekeeper or Accommodation Manager. The job description may be subject to review in consultation with the postholder.
• To be vigilant and take responsibility for ensuring all Housekeeping and College property and equipment is kept safe at all times.
• To ensure all personal data relating to individuals is kept confidential in accordance with College policies and relevant data protection regulations.

Person specification

Essential criteria - skills and competencies

• Ability to communicate with all customers and have a good level of spoken English.
• Ability to work to identified cleaning standards.
• Possess excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and offer flexibility to cover for absence of colleagues.
• Flexibility to work weekends.
• Reliable, trustworthy, capable of using own initiative.

Essential criteria - physical qualities

• Capable of doing physical work which involves bending, lifting and climbing stairs.

Desirable criteria - knowledge and experience

• Experience of paid cleaning work in similar environment.
• NVQ in Cleaning, COSHH and Manual Handling.

Terms and conditions of employment

AppointmentThis appointment is offered as a fixed-time permanent contract. There is an initial probationary period of two months. The appointment will be conditional on verification of the successful candidate’s ‘Right to Work’ checks and subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and medical clearance through the University’s Occupational Health Services.

Hours
Fixed Term Contract to 30th June 2025.
32.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 2:00 pm with a 30 minute unpaid break during term time.

During the Easter (mid-March to mid-April) and summer vacations (July to September) this pattern changes to working 5 out of 7 days to support the Conference periods.

You will also be required to work one day at the weekend on a rota basis.

The College will endeavor to provide staff with as much notice as possible of the requirement to work at weekends. Occasionally short notice requests may be made, for example to cover sickness absence.

Application close dateThe vacancy will remain open until filled. CVs will be reviewed on receipt and shortlisted candidates interviewed. Should the role be filled before the closing date, we reserve the right to close the vacancy. Early application is encouraged.

Other InformationNo smoking is allowed on any of the College sites.

Benefits

• Free Lunch – employees are entitled to take lunch free of charge, when the kitchen is open.
• 30 Days Annual leave – the holiday year begins on 1 January and ends 31 December. The paid holiday entitlement for a full-time contract is six working weeks (30 days) annual leave (5 days to be taken over Christmas break) plus 8 Statutory Bank Holidays. The remainder to be taken at such times and shall be mutually convenient, and agreed in advance with the Development Director.
• Pension – eligibility to the Oxford Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS). The successful candidate will be entered into this scheme automatically on joining, but on-going membership of the scheme is optional.
• Salary Exchange Scheme – if you join the Oxford University Staff Pension Scheme you will also be enrolled into the Salary Exchange Pension Contributions Scheme on or around three months after joining Brasenose staff. This scheme is financially advantageous both to the employee and the College as the employer.
• Welfare Support – Employee Assistance Programme – a free confidential telephone helpline and online medical guidance. Free annual flu jab.
• Travel Pass Loan – a discounted travel scheme is available with monthly deductions from salary.
• Cycle to Work Scheme/Bike Loan – monthly deductions from salary.
• Sports Facilities – access to the University Sports club.
• University Card – for discounts in shops, cafes and restaurants and University Leisure facilities.