Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION - College Porter

Candidates are expected to spend time looking at the College website www.stclares.ac.uk which provides information about St Clare's and the courses we offer.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title of Post

College Porter

Purpose of Role

To be the visible face of the College for welcoming visitors, and for issues relating to security, fire safety and other allied duties.

The role is one that requires a degree of adaptability and flexibility as the Porters are on duty at times when many other members of staff are not working, such as evenings and weekends. Accordingly, it is essential that the Porters are willing to be helpful and accommodating.

Key Responsibilities

The post holder will be required to carry out or assist with the following duties:

Security

Locking/unlocking College buildings and classrooms including setting and disabling alarms, as per the College Security schedule. Dealing with alarm activations, CCTV surveillance and access control equipment. Regularly patrolling all college premises and ensuring personnel, buildings, and equipment are secure and identifying any irregularities with the security of the campus and ensuring issues are logged and reported in a timely manner in the security logbooks. Examining doors, windows, and other points of entry to ensure security both during the day and overnight. Being vigilant and aware of any issues such as loitering, smoking or the carrying of forbidden articles and reporting irregularities, such as security breaches, facility and safety hazards, and emergency situations. Approaching suspicious persons and deescalating possible issues with professionalism and notifying the police of suspicious activity if necessary and completing incident reports as and when required. Escorting visitors, students, and staff when required by foot or using College minibus transport. Patrolling and monitoring parking areas to ensure all staff vehicles are parked correctly and all parked cars are displaying a St Clare's parking permit and/or are authorised. Offering basic 'welfare' advice and 'first aid.' Issuing keys in accordance with agreed procedures. Chauffeuring duties; transferring casualties to hospital and to residence buildings. Regularly updating access control software and hardware (SALTO) to ensure it is working as intended. Maintaining accurate records and keeping documentation up to date.

Fire Safety

Carrying out fire system testing, keeping logbooks up to date, assisting with emergency evacuations and ensuring fire doors are always closed. Dealing with planned and emergency fire alarm calls and other issues. Working within the College's health and safety requirements and assisting in the achievement of health and safety compliance. Supporting the Head of Security and Health and Safety with maintaining the Fire Action Plans and ensuring that fire safety within the College is at an appropriate level and responsive to the changing College needs. Supporting the Head of Security and Health and Safety by ensuring the fire safety infrastructure is fit for purpose and that any faults or issues identified are dealt with promptly. Conducting investigations into fire incidents and liaising with the local fire service if appropriate.

Reception

Welcoming visitors to the campus, dealing with queries and ensuring the reception area promotes a professional image at all times. Checking-in visitors via the VMS and notifying the appropriate member of staff of their arrival. Receiving incoming mail and parcels, maintaining records and organising distribution around the College. Acting as a point of contact for the college for all enquiries either by telephone, email, or in person. Assisting with new student arrivals and at events such as open days and graduation. Providing high quality administrative support and assistance, when required, to members of St Clare's community. Ensuring awareness and compliance with all policies and procedures relating to child protection/safeguarding, health and safety, security, confidentiality, and data protection.

General Duties

Checking College vehicles daily, maintaining fuel levels and ensuring servicing is completed in accordance with logbook requirements. Taking and recording bookings for College vehicles and issuing vehicle keys in accordance with the College's Vehicle Procedure. Preparing the College Hall and other venues around the College in preparation for events and tidying up after functions. Maintaining the campus by picking up litter, emptying overflowing litter bins on a regular basis and ensuring communal areas are well maintained. Assisting with general maintenance as required, moving furniture and luggage, driving College vehicles including minibuses, picking up and delivering stores, and serving the community with any task necessary for the business of the College. Maintaining and replenishing paper stocks and printer ink located across the campus. Reporting (verbally and in writing/email/SIR) all serious incidents and near misses.
While every effort has been made to describe the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task necessary for the successful performance of the role may not be specifically identified. The College Porter may therefore be required to undertake other tasks and duties that are commensurate with the grade and nature of the role and/or in the reasonable discretion of the College.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Terms of Employment

Full-time, permanent contract

Place of Work

139 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7AL

Hours of Work

40 hours per week worked according to a weekly rota, including day, evening and weekend shifts.

Probationary Period

6 months

Notice Period

1 month

Salary

Salary range to 28,462 per annum.

Holidays

26 days' annual holiday entitlement, plus bank/public holidays.

Some bank/public holiday working will be required when these fall on dates during the
College term (time off in lieu will be granted).

The College is closed annually from 24th December to 1st January inclusive. The Employee will be required to book holiday during this period.

Pension

A contributory pension is offered through St Clare's group personal pension scheme, following a 3-month deferment period. The employer pays 10% of gross salary and the employee pays 5%. Employee's contributions above 5% may be made, but do not attract a matching contribution from the employer.

Life Assurance

Death in service benefit is four times annual salary

Meal

A free meal is provided in the College dining room or cafe on working days and when students are in residence.

Other Benefits

Cycle to Work scheme Employee Assistance Programme

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The successful candidate will have demonstrated the following essential (E) or desirable (D) skills and experience:

Occupational Requirements

Aged over 21 years for vehicle insurance reasons) (E)

Education and

qualifications

GCSE Maths and English or equivalent (D) A full UK driving licence, held for a minimum of two years, with no more than three points (for vehicle insurance reasons). There will be compulsory training to drive vans and minibuses (E)

Knowledge, skills and experience

An awareness of health and safety requirements (E) Experience of handling security issues in a similar environment (D) Experience of using Microsoft Office (E) Experience of working in a customer facing role (E) Experience of administrative work and/or accurate record maintenance (E)

Personal skills

Capable of working on own initiative, adaptable and willing to support other teams and members of staff (E) Capable of working both alone and as part of a team (E) Excellent interpersonal skills and a track record of building good working relationships including people from diverse backgrounds (E) Able to communicate clearly, concisely, respectfully and professionally (E) Able to prioritise workload and make decisions (E) Professional with experience of dealing with confidential information (E) Ability to work flexibly to meet deadlines, to work under pressure and to manage competing and changing priorities (E) A commitment to safeguarding our students in line with the College's safeguarding policies (E).

References and Pre-employment Checks

St Clare's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment and contracts are issued subject to satisfactory references and outcomes on all necessary pre-employment checks including DBS records and establishing the right to work in the UK. Some or all of these checks may have been undertaken before an offer is made.
Under the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools, we are required to follow the guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education and undertake additional checks on employees.

References

Full written references and phone references on quoted references may be obtained before or after interview. One referee must be your current or most recent employer. References must also include the last place of employment where you worked with children or vulnerable adults. References from friends or relatives will not be accepted. Please ensure referees know they will be contacted and will respond promptly.

Identity, right to work and

qualifications

Original documents confirming proof of identity, right to work in the UK and relevant qualifications will be required.

Note: We have a legal responsibility to ensure that all our employees have the legal right to live and work in the UK. If we make an offer of employment, we will need to check that you are eligible to work in the UK before you start work.

If you don't already have the legal right to work in the UK, we strongly recommend that you use the

Home Office website

to review the legal requirements of working in the UK as this will give you an indication of whether you may be eligible to work in the UK.

Police checks /

Police checks/Disclosure and Barring Service checks will also be undertaken for which

DBS

employees/prospective employees are required to provide information and consent.

Candidates who have lived and worked abroad in the last five years will be required to seek good conduct references, or the equivalent, from the countries in which they worked, as a pre-requisite of employment.

Health

.

questionnaire

Satisfactory completion of a health questionnaire

HOW TO APPLY

Applications

Applications must be made using the College's standard application form which can be found on the College website at www.stclares.ac.uk/recruitment

CVs will only be accepted if accompanied by a St Clare's application form.

Email

Applications should be submitted by email to recruitment@stclares.ac.uk

Post

Alternatively, send to:
Recruitment, HR Department, St Clare's, Oxford, 139 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7AL

Contact us

Email: recruitment@stclares.ac.uk
Tel: 01865 552031

Deadline for Friday 11th July 2025

at 9am

applications

Interview date

TBC

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 25,397.00-28,462.00 per year

Benefits:

Canteen Company pension Cycle to work scheme
Schedule:

Day shift Night shift Weekend availability
Ability to commute/relocate:

Oxford: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Language:

English (required)
Licence/Certification:

Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 07/11/2025