Education Authority Northern Ireland
Cleaner
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School Cleaner
Job Description
Responsible To
Cleaning Supervisor or other authorised person.
Job Purpose
Undertake, as part of a team, the cleaning of any area within the premises, designated by the line manager.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Sweep, suction clean, mop, dry buff, spray clean, spray wax, machine scrub and dry, strip and re-polish floors using the appropriate equipment.
- Clean and remove stains from soft floor surfaces (carpets/matting) using appropriate cleaning methods.
- Clean toilet and shower areas, including fixtures and fittings.
- Clean, wash and dust ledges, walls, fixtures, fittings, and internal surfaces up to 3.35M, polishing furniture where appropriate.
- Empty and clean internal litter bins, removing litter to designated collection points.
General Conditions
- Ensure all duties comply with:
- Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978
- Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations, other legal requirements
- COSHH Regulations
- Codes of Practice
- Work in conditions inherent to the role.
- Cover colleagues on sick leave as per Education Authority’s procedure.
- Report absences and complete necessary forms as required.
- Wear protective clothing, workwear, and flat-soled enclosed-toe footwear during cleaning duties.
- Use, care for, and report any defects in allocated cleaning equipment immediately.
- Complete all necessary paperwork.
- Undertake duties in the same or higher grades within your competence.
Training
- Accept any training for duties graded at a higher level—payment applies when required by the authority.
- Submit to induction, refresher, and other training deemed necessary.
- Train to facilitate duties up to and including your own grade.
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Compliance & Safeguarding
- Promote good relations, equality of opportunity, and comply with relevant legislation as outlined in Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998).
- Work in educational institutions complies with Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007.
- An enhanced disclosure check is required upon appointment (cost: £33).
Person Specification
Notes to Job Applicants
You must:
- Demonstrate on your application form how you meet criteria for both essential and desirable requirements.
- Explain why you fulfil the staged selection criteria in the provided table.
- Provide justifications for essential criteria early to avoid disqualification.
Shortlists focus initially on how well applicants meet essential criteria.
Section 1 – Essential (Measured Initially via Shortlisting)
Statutory Requirements You must undertake cleaning service-issued training as required by the Education Authority.
Section 2 – Essential (Assessed at Interview)
Qualifications/Experience
Evidence gathered in key areas includes:
- Knowledge of school cleaning requirements and cleaning methods/machinery.
- Understanding of relevant health and safety regulations, particularly COSHH.
Skills/Abilities
Required strengths (aligned with EA’s Game Changing People Model) include:
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- Drive and responsibility to work under pressure while meeting deadlines
- Demonstrated capacity for communication, instruction following in English, and interpersonal skills
- Effective organisation, flexibility, and adaptability
- Working collaboratively as an advocate as part of a clean-focused team
Values Orientation
Experience and adherence to EA values, including equality, inclusivity, and excellence in service for children and young people, are crucial.
Section 3 – Desirable (Assessed at Shortlisting)
Additional considerations applicants should highlight:
- Three months’ experience performing cleaning tasks outside a home environment
- Hands-on familiarity and training with commercial cleaning tools (e.g., buffing machinery, mops).
Criminal Background Disclosure
- Educational settings in NI are subject to NI Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.
- Successful applications involving child-related ‘regulatory activity’ require Enhanced Criminal Disclosure.
- Depth: £33 (details on payment sent before appointment).
[Find out more details from NI Direct or Department of Justice.](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/ & Dept. of Justice references)
Applicant guidance notes (link:preview/) Learn about EA benefits
The Education Authority is an equal opportunities employer.
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