Local Government South East
Cleaning Operative – Building Cleaning Team
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Full Time Permanent Reading Posted 5 hours ago £25,949 per year + 5% Shift Allowance = £27,246 Per year £ / Year Closes: 16 August 2026
Website: Reading Borough Council
We’re looking for a reliable and responsible Cleaning Operative to join our Building Cleaning Team. This is an exciting time to join us as we continue to deliver high standards of cleanliness and hygiene across our buildings. If you take pride in your work and have an eye for detail, we’d love to hear from you.
This will be a mobile cleaning role, you will be visiting a number of sites around Reading between your working hours. Free parking for your personal car will be provided at Reading Borough Council Civic Offices – this is where you will collect the work van and crew.
A driving licence for this role is essential – please indicate in your Supporting Statement that you have a UK driving licence.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About The Role
Working pattern – Monday to Friday 6.00am – 2.00pm, weekend work available
To maintain a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene within Reading Borough Council properties in accordance with service and/or client specifications, to ensure and provide a clean, safe and hygienic environment, to help ensure an effective and efficient operation of cleaning services.
Duties Include
- To provide the highest level of cleaning service as instructed by Cleaning Operative Supervisor in line with the service and/or client specifications and maintain the standards.
- To provide a range of general cleaning services to a wide range of facilities, including toilets, offices, meeting rooms and housing stocks etc by washing, mopping, dusting, polishing, vacuum cleaning and sweeping, as appropriate.
- To follow all relevant Health & Safety rules and guidelines, e.g. wearing protective clothing in accordance with COSHH.
- To report maintenance issues promptly to Cleaning Operative Supervisor.
- To maintain an adequate stock of consumables in washrooms and breakout areas.
- To participate in staff meetings.
- To participate in training activities essential and appropriate to the role.
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About You
- Any other duties appropriate to the post as required.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Excellent time keeping.
- Ability to work on own initiative and prioritise work schedules.
- Good communication skills.
- Be Flexible To Support Other Functions.
- Be organised and to demonstrate ownership of issues and follow through.
- Ability to form positive relationships with colleagues.
- Ability to work as part of a team and to promote harmonious working relationships by recognising that everyone has a contribution to make.
- Ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Benefits
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
- Work Together as one team – work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
- Drive Efficiency – show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
- Be Ambitious – be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
- Make a Difference to Reading – maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
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Our Offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A Competitive Salary Alongside a Range Of Benefits Including
- Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave.
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
- Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing, and road tax.
- Onsite parking
To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Carolyn Leakey – Cleaning Manager – carolyn.leakey@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Sunday 16th August 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Setup: In person at Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU
To apply for this job please visit reabcli.webitrent.com.
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