Building Supervisor (With Supervision)

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question how, and to what extent, you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.

You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.

The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined below.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.

Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.

In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.

SECTION 1 – ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent, you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

• Have a minimum of two years’ recent demonstrable experience working as an assistant building supervisor and/or building supervisor and/or caretaker or maintenance worker or cleaner in a formal setting and paid capacity, OR possession of a recognised trade qualification (e.g., plumbing, joinery, electrical, or equivalent).
• Have experience of supervising staff. Shortlisting by Application Form.
• As a key holder, be prepared to respond to call‑outs at short notice, including during unsociable hours. Shortlisting by Application Form.

Section 2 – Additional ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage.

• Knowledge of the following:
  • Requirements of a School Building Supervisor (with supervision)
  • Health and Safety, Manual Handling, and use of security systems
• Skills / Abilities
  • Effective people management to motivate and manage a team
  • Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Proven administrative, planning and decision‑making skills to meet deadlines
• Values Orientation
  • Evidence of how your experience and approach reflect the school’s values/ethos (details on the school website)

SECTION 3 – DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in the order listed.

• Hold a NEBOSH Health and Safety at Work qualification or equivalent higher level qualification.
• Experience using industrial cleaning equipment.
• Experience of key‑holding duties, including opening and closing premises and setting alarm systems. Shortlisting by Application Form.

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

In the event that you are recommended for appointment to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. You will be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Building Supervisor (with supervision)
REPORTS TO: School Principal
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Supervision of the Assistant Building Supervisor and/or cleaning staff (if appropriate)

JOB PURPOSE: To provide on‑site supervision, cleaning and non‑cleaning services under the direction of the designated line manager or other authorised person and in accordance with the practices and procedures of the Education Authority.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Security

• Security of the premises and its contents.
• Open and close the premises and grounds, except where authorised otherwise.
• Ensure windows, doors and gates are closed and locked at the end of each day.
• Safe custody of keys and allocation to cleaning staff; keys returned at day’s end.
• Operate and monitor security camera system.
• Operate fire alarm, burglar alarm and building security systems; report any faults.
• Attend after‑hour break-in and vandalism; secure premises and handle cleaning as soon as clearance is given.
• Report suspicious activity during working hours to appropriate authority.
• Report any breach of security, including used needles or suspicious substances.
• Apply grit/rock salt in snow/frost conditions to keep pathways safe.

Mechanical and Electrical Services

• Efficient operation of boiler/heating system; value for money and energy conservation.
• Lighting, heating and routine maintenance of plant including school meals accommodation.
• Ensure fuel is requisitioned in good time.
• Monitor and document fuel, water and electricity usage.
• Replace lamps, tubes and plugs within 3.35 m using appropriate equipment.
• Inspect and report defects on firefighting equipment.
• Chemically dose, clean and maintain water levels of pools.

Cleaning

• Clean the premises (excluding school meals accommodation).
• Plan, organise and control cleaning staff work (if appropriate) to meet Education Authority standards, personally performing duties when required.
• Plan periodic work with service users and report plans to the line manager.
• Recommend and implement changes to improve economy, standards or operation.
• Monitor suitability and performance of materials and light equipment; advise when inappropriate.
• Maintain clean hard surfaces, paths, ornamental grounds, external drains, gutters and grease‑traps.
• Clean and maintain bins, including school meals bins; empty litter bins daily.
• Provide ongoing cleaning for spillage, flooding, midday toilet cleaning and other weather‑related issues.
• Replenish toilet rolls, soaps, paper towels and other requisites.
• Daily inspection and cleaning of sandpits; remove sand from fouled areas and replace contents.
• Clean external signs, light covers, notices up to 3.35 m and non‑electrical fittings on portable heating/ventilation equipment.
• Ensure adequate supplies of materials are requisitioned and maintained within budget and stored correctly.
• Report defects in cleaning equipment to line manager.
• Prepare premises for after‑school activities and clean for normal use.
• Direct and clean all internal fixed glass surfaces up to 3.35 m.
• Ensure cleaning staff wear PPE/workwear where provided.
• Maintain cleaning standards to meet Education Authority requirements; investigate complaints and take corrective action.

Porterage

• Receipt and transport of stores, materials and goods (including school meals and milk materials) and their distribution to appropriate storage points.
• Dispatch laundry, goods and other materials from the building.
• Assist with table and chair set‑out/removal for dual‑use areas; clean the room and manage food debris (responsibility of other staff for litter removal).
• Transport refuse bins to and from collection points.
• Prepare rooms for examinations and other purposes.

Administration

• Prepare reports on cleaning, defects and other matters.
• Organise employment of outside contractors or workmen as authorised, monitoring their presence and reporting deviations.
• Complete paperwork associated with the post and write reports as required.
• Maintain records of consumable stocks and equipment inventory.
• Report faults in electrical floor equipment immediately and keep a record of repairs; ensure equipment is cleaned and stored safely.
• Ensure staff attendance, holidays and absences records are completed, authorised and returned promptly.

Handyperson Duties

• Within the competence of the post holder.

General Conditions

• All duties must comply with:
  • The Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978;
  • Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements;
  • COSHH Regulations;
  • Codes of Practice.

Training

• Building supervisors will accept any training to facilitate duties up to and including their own grade.
• They will accept training for higher‑level jobs where required, with payment only where the authority requires the higher‑level duties to be carried out.
• They will carry out induction and refresher training of cleaning staff (if appropriate) and keep a record of such training.

Elections

• In the event of a school being used for election purposes, the building supervisor will be required to carry out duties as determined by the joint negotiating committee.

Other Duties

• Falling within the purview of the grade as required.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.