Caretaker

Job description

Post title: Caretaker

Service area: Homes and Neighbourhoods

Key responsibilities

1. To undertake caretaker duties including cleaning and other estate duties in partnership with the needs
   of residents and in accordance with management direction. Working flexibly, alone, or with other caretakers to provide an excellent caretaker service on estates as circumstances require.
2. Reporting to the Estate Services Co-ordinator (ESC) and the Quality Assurance Officers (QAOs)
   who assist the ESC in caretaker management. Also liaising with management and staff at the
   Area Offices.
3. The completion of daily management control information and other documentation as required.
4. Keeping records of complaints made by tenants and reporting cases of fire, burglary, flood and
   other important incidents to the Area Office / Housing Department as required.
5. Reporting contravening of tenancy regulations by tenants.
6. Reporting of abandoned vehicles/illegal parking on the estates and liaising with Estate Service Officers and contractors as necessary.
7. Maintaining the lighting of communal areas.
8. Keeping keys for communal parts, meter cupboard, vacant dwellings, vacant pram sheds, etc.
9. Taking appropriate action in respect of repairs or damage in cases of emergency, including the calling out of police, fire and ambulance services etc. during normal working hours.
10. To maintain clean and tidy assigned lodges at the allocated patches.
11. Custody of an overall responsibility for the estate stores, tools, plant and equipment at the allocated patch.
12. To carry out minor repairs to communal areas as directed or as required in accordance with
    Health and Safety requirements.
13. To report and remove offensive graffiti as directed within agreed timescales.
14. To use appropriate tools as directed, to control weed growth on estates and to ensure that
    sweeping is done in such a way so that hard-standing areas have little or no accumulation of
    detritus, which promotes weed growth.
15. To keep shrub beds and grass areas / lawns free of litter.
16. Establishing and maintaining a good relationship with tenants on behalf of us,
    giving advice and assistance especially to older people and those with disabilities, dealing with complaints, problems, etc, referring outstanding issues to the Area Office or other designated Housing Department officers.
17.  Attendance at the designated Area Office during weekday-on-duty periods as directed.
18. To report and remove where possible lumber to designated collection points on estates on daily basis.
19. Carry out and ensure estate cleaning frequencies are maintained.
20. To carry out a paired working arrangement. Liaising directly with an assigned colleague over
    personal cover arrangements for annual leave and short-term absence.
21.  All resident (or previous resident) caretakers are to work on a number of estates, carrying out core duties at weekends on a rota basis, between the hours of 8.00am and 4.00pm.
22. Ensure all the services within the area(s) of responsibility are provided in accordance with
    our commitment to customer care and high quality service provision to users.
23. Carry out normal estate liaison duties, e.g., refuse collection, gas and electrical services, etc.
24. At all times carrying out responsibilities with due regard to our Equal Opportunity
    Employment Policy.
25. Undertake as such other minor and non-recurring duties appropriate to the post as may be
    directed.
26. To take responsibility for promoting safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons /
    vulnerable adults and those who you come into contact with. This includes reporting any
    concerns you have about someone who is vulnerable to a Team Leader

ADDITIONAL

1. To use and assist others in the use of information technology systems to carry out duties in the most efficient and effective manner.
2. To achieve agreed service outcomes and outputs, and personal appraisal targets, as achieved by the line manager.

To undertake training and constructively take part in meetings, supervision, seminars and other events designed to improve communication and assist with the effective development of the post and post holder.

The post holder is expected to be committed to our core values of public service,
quality, equality and empowerment and to demonstrate this commitment in the way they carry out their duties.
Ensure that duties are undertaken with due regard and compliance with the Data Protection Act and other legislation.
Carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with our Health and Safety Policy and relevant Health and Safety legislation.

Person specification

Qualifications

Ability to demonstrate a reasonable standard of literacy and numeracy.

Experience

Some experience of cleaning or caretaking duties (paid/unpaid).

Skills

• Ability to carry out cleaning duties, working alone or within teams.
  
• Ability to deal with complaints of disrepair.
  
• Ability to negotiate a congenial paired working arrangement with an assigned caretaker. Where arrangements are in line with service needs and meet management approval.
  
• Ability to react to and deal with emergency situations, e.g. fire, flood and lift breakdowns.
  
• Ability to supply brief reports on background and action taken in respect of emergencies or unusual occurrences.
  
• Ability to take care of estate tools, equipment, keys to various communal facilities and any keys to void properties which may be issued to caretakers from time to time.
  
• Ability to work rotating shifts and live in accommodation provided (resident caretakers only).
  
• Ability to work out of doors in all weathers.
  
• Ability to communicate with tenants to provide necessary advice and assistance.
  
• Ability to carry out minor communal repairs within Health and Safety Guidelines
  
• Ability to cope with the physical demands of the job i.e. physically able to lift and move heavy items of equipment, e.g. moving full (wheeled) paladin bins without assistance, and lifting and moving items of household lumber with assistance if necessary