Job Description

The Estates Department is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all buildings at Canford School, delivered through a directly employed workforce and supported by approved contractors. The post holder will oversee and coordinate works related to their trade, while also contributing as a proactive, hands-on member of the Multi-Trade team. The role requires a skilled, reliable, and well-organised individual with broad technical knowledge, a strong work ethic, and excellent communication skills.

KEY FUNCTIONS:

Professional

Carry out all duties in accordance with recognised professional and health and safety standards.

Building

Provide a high-quality building service for the school buildings, staff houses, and other site structures and premises, including:

To receive, plan, supervise and satisfactorily complete requests for repairing, replacing, altering, maintaining and new work, including some bricklaying (including facing brickwork), blockwork, minor roofing works, repointing, fencing, paving, excavation and concrete work, screeding, and plastering, erecting external signs, etc. This will include response maintenance during working hours as well as full pre-planned works. To ensure efficient use of skills and resources within the Multi-Trade team to provide support for the electrician, plumbing and multi-skilled maintenance teams when required, which may include clearance, stripping out, labouring, occasional removals and so forth. Directly attend to roof leaks, damage arising from frost, flood, rain and wind, gulley and gutter blockages, etc. To clean out gutters, downpipes, parapet gutters, roof valleys, gullies using appropriate access equipment and cleaning equipment. To use specialist equipment to clean surfaces, paving, signage, street furniture, etc. To set up, operate and maintain specialist equipment such as breakers or compactors as required and in accordance with risk assessments and safe systems of work. Assisting with the gritting and snow clearing process during icy or wintry weather as directed by the Grounds and Gardens Manager. Ensure all works are carried out properly with all necessary preparation, and in accordance with established procedures at the school. Bring to the attention of the Maintenance Supervisor any problems encountered on site in carrying out works. To carry out associated building duties as allocated by the Building and Surveying Manager, including inspections of roofs and masonry, attending to roof leaks, emergency paving cleans, and so forth. To be available to provide an occasional and ad-hoc emergency on-call service if severe weather is expected.

Multi-Skilled Maintenance

Collaborate with the Multi-Trade and Estates teams to deliver a consistently high standard of maintenance across all school properties. Support colleagues across trades when needed (e.g., labouring, clearance, basic removals). To work alongside and assist or escort external contractors and consultants where required. To assist with material purchasing, storage and issue for the Multi-Trades Team. Maintaining stock and store / office / workshop area tidiness. To advise on appropriate equipment, materials and installation methods, taking into account longevity, durability, value for money and anticipated performance. Follow good practice and keep up to date with new products, tools and techniques. Ensure clear communication with follow-on trades to support sequencing of works. Provide a high quality set maintenance visits service to all boarding houses, day houses, Health Centre, all sports facilities, all teaching facilities, offices, school shop, sixth form college, library, function and dining facilities and other support areas to ensure a high level of overall maintenance befitting the high quality of the school. Maintain awareness of the school calendar to prioritise maintenance works around key events.

Administrative

As required, liaise with team colleagues, The Maintenance Supervisor, the Building and Surveying Manager and the Director of Estates on all matters concerning programming, materials, access, safety and allocation of duties. Ensure issued vehicles, mobile equipment, tools, and plant are checked regularly, serviced, and maintained in compliance with safety standards. To be responsible for the relevant team risk assessments, method statements and safe systems of work, ensuring that all team members follow these at all times. To assist in the preparation of specific task risk assessments where required. Manage cleaning schedules for rainwater goods, pathways, signage, and site surfacing. To check with the Estates Office on a daily basis for response maintenance requests. Bring to the attention of the Maintenance Supervisor or Building and Surveying Manager problems encountered on site while carrying out works. To balance planned annual leave with ongoing works. Organising workloads and access arrangements. Maintain works tickets, stock records and material records accurately. Cascade instructions clearly to team members where required, ensuring strong two-way communication.

Health and Safety

To ensure that Estates Department safe working practices are followed at all times and never compromised. Comply with all health and safety instructions issued. Ensure that procedures for the safe disposal of hazardous waste are followed. Adhere to all risk assessments and safe working practices, ensuring full compliance with Health & Safety regulations at all times. Properly maintain and wear / use personal protective equipment as required for the work. Ensure that no work at height is carried out without a work permit. All work at height to be carried out using appropriate access equipment. Be involved and aware of health and safety issues within the school that affect maintenance staff. To responsibly use all issued vehicles, buggies, workplace equipment, mobile equipment, tools and plant ensuring pre-use checks are carried out. To be aware of those works which require a permit before they can be carried out. To be aware of Child Protection Issues and how these affect your work.

Notwithstanding all these duties, the nature of the dynamic school environment requires the Estates Department staff to offer a far-ranging service, and it is not anticipated that this job specification is or can be fully definitive.

Knowledge / Experience

Relevant CITB or similar training courses (D) Asbestos awareness (D) CSCS Card (D) Full clean driving licence (E) Experience in building maintenance or building site working (E) Experience supervising and motivating staff efficiently and effectively. (D) Experience in managing projects within H&S, time, budget, and resource constraints. (D) Experience of working to high health and safety standards, or at least a clear willingness to work in a culture of strong health and safety. (E) Experience with hand-held power tools. (E) Experience in roles where an eye for detail is critical. (D) Ideally experience of working within an educational facility or similar environment (D) Hard working and tidy with attention to quality and detail. (E) Able to use initiative and work without supervision, as well as being part of a team. (E) Able to undertake all the physical requirements of the post. (E) Ability to work to scheduled programmes. (E) Friendly, approachable and presentable manner, with the ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels (E) A flexible and enthusiastic approach to all matters (E) Willingness to undertake health and safety training as required, including first aid and manual handling training. (E) Willingness to undertake machinery and equipment training and refresher / update training as required. (E) Enjoy external work in all weathers, and capable of prioritising to suit predicted weather conditions. (E) This post may include some out of hours on-call /emergency duties, for which additional remuneration is payable, being willing to help when required is desirable. (D) Occasional planned overtime to assist with meeting deadlines or making best use of working slots around the school calendar may be available. A willingness to be flexible and work additional hours when required would be ideal. (D)

Canford School is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our Community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates.


Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.


The successful applicant will be required to undergo child protection screening.