Caretaker

**Post**: Caretaker Job Description

**Hours**: Term time with 2 weeks to be worked in the school holidays, flexible working pattern which may include weekends and early starts, both of which be determined by the Lead Caretaker.

**Responsible for**: All New Forest Care Education sites and vehicles

**Job Purpose**:
To provide efficient and effective caretaking support to the four school sites including ensuring the security and general appearance of the buildings and surrounding areas are maintained in accordance with the required standards and that the heating systems operate at optimum efficiency.

**Other considerations**:
The post holder will be expected to observe safe working practices in carrying out the required duties and ensure that instructions specified by technical consultants, contractors, manufacturers and the New forest Care Maintenance Manager are adhered to.

**Core responsibilities of the post**
- To ensure heating and equipment is efficiently and effectively operated, make adjustments as necessary and report defects and malfunctions to the Maintenance team manager/Head Teacher.
- To be responsible for maintaining the security of the premises and its contents in accordance with the schools current requirements. Opening and locking up of the sites including lights and internal doors as agreed on a regular basis by the Headteacher.
- To clean light fittings and to test lighting systems weekly replacing where necessary minor parts such as tubes, bulbs, fuses, starters and diffusers, in accordance with safe working practices.
- To be a key holder for all alarmed sites, for the purpose of alarms being activated. To answer call outs to sites on alarm sounding.
- To arrange to clear blockages, remove foreign matter from sinks, toilets, drains, kitchen grease traps etc. and clean up spillages as required.
- To ensure that gullies, drains etc. are kept free from debris and that the school and grounds are litter free.
- To be responsible for ensuring clear and safe pedestrian access to the school particularly in adverse weather conditions (e.g. clearing snow, gritting etc.)
- To dispose of waste materials in a safe and hygienic manner ensuring that it is available for collection as required.
- To undertake handypersons duties as directed by the Lead Caretaker as outlined below:

- Painting and decorating - as required
- Joinery - first line maintenance of fixtures and fittings, examples: tightening screws on window hinges, maintenance on door handles, minor repairs as a temporary measure after break-ins, vandalism etc.
- Plumbing - unblocking sinks, traps and waste pipes. Adjustment and re-washering of taps.
- Internal glazing - remedial action after break-ins, for example boarding up of broken windows, ordering and fitting replacement glass.
- To control the provision of and replenish toiletry items, including requisition, storage and distribution of such items.
- To organise and undertake cleaning of New Forest Care Education sites as required.
- To monitor stock levels of consumable items such as fuel, grit, toiletries, light bulbs/tubes and arrange to replenish supplies in accordance with current procedures.
- Move furniture and heavy items in support of School and ancillary activities
- Once each week complete a safety and general maintenance check of all school vehicles to include such things as tyres, lights, seatbelts wipers, warning lights etc. Each vehicle should be fuelled up and washer levels etc. topped up.
- Monitor and arrange regular servicing of school vehicles including tax and MOT.
- To maintain appropriate records including intruder alarm logbook, repair orders, and heating system records book, carry out meter readings for the school.
- To report emergencies in the case of faults with gas, electric and water supply to the Head teacher/Deputy Head teacher, or where not immediately available technical services or regular contractors, and report minor faults on site to the Head teacher/Deputy Head teacher.
- To attend to, where necessary, personnel visiting the site such as contractors.
- To carry out grass cutting on site mower and some grounds maintenance.
- To organise and undertake on a pre-planned basis the stripping, resealing and polishing of floors, washing of walls and cleaning of furniture during the school holiday periods.
- To clean the internal face of external windows and other internal glass within the limitations of safe working practice.
- To comply with the requirements of Health and Safety, other relevant legislation and school policies and carry out weekly fire alarm tests, and assist with evacuation procedures.
- To understand and comply with the Company’s equal opportunities policy.
- To carry out any other reasonable duties within the overall function of the job.
- To have due regard for your own personal safety and that of children/carers.

**Skills**
- Good organisational skills, with the ability to assess situations and then prioritise required actions