General Services Assistant

Job Title: General Services Assistant

Department: Estates and Facilities Directorate, Accommodation and Commercial Services

Grade: Grade 2

Salary range: £20,863 - £21,134 per annum

Working arrangements: Full time (35 hours), Permanent, Five days from seven

Closing date: Wednesday 22nd March 2023

Potential Interview Date: Tuesday 11th April 2023

The University

At Durham University, we are proud of our people, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community. We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team.

Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion. It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here.

The Role and Department

The General Services Assistant will deliver a range of services across University premises, ensuring the University is well maintained, welcoming and a pleasant environment for students, University employees and commercial customers. The role will encompass three key areas of responsibility: basic maintenance/minor DIY tasks; a range of portering duties; and ad-hoc security.

The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides a number of essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses.

Further information on the Estates and Facilities Directorate is available on the website.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 27 Days annual leave, in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year, a total of 39 days, including time off between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• Onsite nursery and children’s clubs during the summer holidays.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
• Generous pension schemes.

How to Apply

We prefer to receive applications online. When you apply you need to submit a CV and/or a statement that tells us your experience and gives examples of how you meet the essential criteria.

We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

Who to contact for more information

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role or if you are struggling to complete the application process, Stephanie Rolfe, Housekeeping and Cleaning Services Manager, stephanie.j.rolfe@durham.ac.uk, would be happy to speak to you.

Further helpful information about the role

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

• Contribute within the General Services team to provide a responsive service for stakeholders.
• Follow documented service procedures, referring to more experienced colleagues with less straightforward issues.
• Demonstrate some pre-employment familiarity with the techniques, and processes used in the General Services area.
• Learn about the hazards and risks within own area of work and report incidents in accordance with recognised procedures and protocols.
• Learn and apply strict guidelines and risk assessments to ensure safe, secure practice when working in different environments.
• Follow and apply strict procedures and guidelines to ensure compliance with regulations for all activities.
• Clean and maintain specialist equipment, tools and resources, under supervision.
• Carry out a range of tasks that require a more than standard level of physical, manual and sensory dexterity, following training, for short periods of time.
• Wear and use protective equipment and clothing to carry out tasks on a day-to-day basis.
• Adhere to general health, safety and security procedures for General Services, as identified in risk assessments, method statements, guidelines, etc.
• Use a range of equipment, tools, resources and digital devices, to complete basic maintenance/minor DIY, portering or security duties, where necessary.
• Apply escalation procedures to highlight interventions required by more experienced team members.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

Teamwork

• Contribute to team effort with more straightforward tasks during peak workflows.
• Assist team members and contractors to set-up and dismantle specialist equipment, tools and resources, under supervision.
• Assist team members with the security, safety, maintenance and upkeep of buildings, equipment and facilities.
• Adopt and promote a flexible approach to working, and be willing to cover absences, when given reasonable notice, including evenings and weekends, as business demands.

Communication/Personal

• Respond to straightforward requests for information from stakeholders.
• Communicate with General Services Team Leader, team members, other staff, students and visitors, in person or using electronic tools and applications.
• Learn new skills and techniques on the job, working alongside more experienced team members.
• The role will require an element of physical manual handling, which can include lifting and transporting equipment and deliveries.
• Work evenings and weekends, as business demands.
• Provide cover for absences, when given reasonable notice.
• Any other reasonable duties

Please note that, in submitting your application, Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy statement, which provides information on the collations, storing and use of data.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role including:

Essential

Desirable