Education Authority Northern Ireland
Cleaner
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Cleaner
School Cleaner – Job Description
About the Role
Responsible to: Cleaning Supervisor or another authorised person.
Job Purpose
Work as part of a team to clean designated areas within the premises, including tasks specified by the line manager.
Responsibilities
1. Core Cleaning Duties
- Sweep, vacuum, mop, dry buff, spray clean, spray wax, machine scrub, strip, and re-polish floors using appropriate equipment.
- Remove and clean stains from soft floor surfaces (e.g., carpets, matting) via safe and approved methods.
- Clean and sanitise toilets and showers, including fixtures and fittings.
- Wipe, dust, and polish walls, ledges, fixtures, fittings, and internal surfaces (up to 3.35m). Furniture polishing where required.
- Empty, wash, and sanitise internal litter bins, disposing of trash at designated collection points.
2. Compliance & Workplace Conditions
- All duties must adhere to:
- The Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978
- Relevant Statutory Instruments, Regulations, and Codes of Practice
- COSHH Regulations
- Tasks will be carried out under typical working conditions relevant to the role.
- Cover sick Absence according to Education Authority (EA) procedures.
- Duty to report absence as required (forms to be completed and signed by the Building Supervisor).
- When cleaning:
- Wear protective clothing or approved workwear.
- Wear closed-toe, flat-soled footwear.
- Use and maintain issued cleaning equipment safely, reporting malfunction immediately.
- Ensure all necessary administrative tasks are completed.
- Perform duties graded equal to or slightly higher than your own, provided skills and competence are sufficient.
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3. Training
- Attend and complete any higher-grade training if required by EA. Payment only applies when duties explicitly demand it.
- Accept training for duties within or adjacent to your grade journey, including:
- Induction Training
- Refresher Training (as necessary)
Equality & Safeguarding
- Promote good relations, equality of opportunity, and compliance with equality legislation (Northern Ireland Act 1998, S.75).
- Candidates in educational settings must ensure compliance with the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.
- Applicants will require an enhanced disclosure check (current cost: £33). Proof of payment will be needed post-offer.
Application Notes
Refer to Terms & Conditions for full policy details.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
NOTES TO APPLICANTS
Application success depends on detailed evidence (for both essential and desirable criteria) on the application form. Failure to provide sufficient documentation risks being disqualified.
Section 1 & 2 – Essential Criteria (Assessed Upfront)
Health and Safety obligation: Applicants must complete EA-provided cleaning safety training.
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** essential qualifications/experience:**
- Knowledge of:
- Roles specific to a School Cleaner.
- Cleaning methods and machinery.
- Health and safety responsibilities, including COSHH.
Skills/Abilities (EA’s Game-Changing People Model)
Apply evidencesc of:
- Proven ability to use initiative and perform under pressure with tight deadlines.
- Demonstrable communication skills and interpersonal abilities, including clear instruction-following in English.
- Strong organisation and planning.
- Willingness to collaborate as part of a team.
- A flexible approach following clear work instruction.
** values/core ethos:**
Provide evidence of alignment with the EA’s values and mission to:
- Equality in education
- Barrier-free learning
- Excellence in student services
Section 3 – Desirable Criteria (Shortlisting Level If Abundant Applications)
- Three months’ experience cleaning in a non-home setting.
- Experience with full-range commercial cleaning equipment, (e.g., polishers, wet vacuums, mops).
Notes on Equality & Applicant Guidelines
- For equally accessible opportunity:
- Examine detailed EA Values and Disclosure Policies.
- Visit:
For essential nursery interview benefits, contact Security Clearing Division either at DOJ or [Education Authority Safeguarding Hub].
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