Building Caretaker

About the role

We are looking for a practical, reliable and organised Building Caretaker to take day-to-day responsibility for the upkeep, maintenance and smooth running of Byron House.

This is a hands-on role. The postholder will carry out straightforward repairs and maintenance themselves, regularly inspect the building and deal with day-to-day issues as they arise.

Where specialist work is required, they will arrange and meet contractors, oversee the work and follow it through to completion.

The role also involves keeping clear and accurate maintenance, safety and compliance records, monitoring servicing schedules and ensuring important checks and renewals are not missed.

It would suit someone who enjoys practical work, takes pride in looking after a building and is equally comfortable using basic tools, dealing with contractors and keeping straightforward records up to date.

This role could suit someone with previous experience in a trade, building maintenance, caretaking, property maintenance or facilities who is looking for a varied, stable, site-based role.

Salary: £30,000-£33,000 depending on experience (plus £2,000 p.a on call allowance)

Hours: 35 hours per week, worked flexibly to meet business needs. During term time, the rota will primarily be based on weekday evenings (typically 2.30pm to 10.30pm), with some daytime working required. Occasional Saturday working and infrequent out-of-hours emergency call-outs may be required. Hours will be adjusted across the week to maintain the 35-hour contracted working week.

Holiday: 25 days p.a plus bank holidays

Contract: 18 months temp to perm

Main responsibilities

• Carry out general caretaking, handyman and minor maintenance work, including simple repairs, replacing bulbs and fittings, minor decorating and similar practical tasks.
• Carry out regular inspections of the building and identify maintenance, safety or repair issues.
• Decide whether straightforward issues can be resolved directly or require a specialist contractor.
• Arrange, meet and supervise contractors carrying out repairs, servicing and planned maintenance.
• Follow outstanding maintenance and repair work through to completion.
• Maintain accurate and accessible records of repairs, servicing, contracts, certificates, inspections, risk assessments and warranties.
• Monitor planned maintenance and servicing schedules for equipment including heating, air conditioning, ventilation, lifts and electrical equipment.
• Arrange routine fire safety and building safety checks, including fire alarm, emergency lighting and other required testing.
• Ensure contractors follow appropriate health and safety requirements while working on site.
• Monitor cleaning standards and liaise with the cleaning contractor.
• Order maintenance supplies, replacement parts, cleaning materials and other building consumables.
• Obtain and compare quotations for maintenance and repair work where required.
• Maintain basic invoice records and ensure approved invoices are passed to Finance promptly.
• Act as a day-to-day point of contact for staff and building users in relation to maintenance, repairs and facilities issues.
• Assist with practical room and building set-up for meetings, events and other activities where required.
• Help monitor building security and respond appropriately to urgent building issues or emergencies.
• Adjust working hours occasionally to meet contractors, support events or respond to building requirements, including some evening or Saturday working with notice.

The above list of duties and responsibilities is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. This job description will be regularly reviewed to ensure it is an accurate representation of the post.

About the person

You do not need to be a qualified tradesperson, but you should be confident carrying out straightforward repairs and maintenance and able to recognise when specialist support is required.

You will be:

• practical and confident using basic tools;
• experienced in caretaking, building maintenance, facilities or a similar role;
• proactive and able to identify and resolve problems;
• organised and able to keep accurate records and servicing schedules;
• confident dealing with contractors, suppliers and building users;
• reliable, self-motivated and comfortable working independently;
• able to prioritise a varied workload and remain calm when unexpected issues arise; and
• reasonably confident using email, spreadsheets and other basic computer systems.

Experience of working in a busy office, clinic, education or similar building would be helpful but is not essential.

Benefits

• 35 hours per week with flexible working hours from Monday to Saturday to suit the workload
• 25 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays
• Staff benefits package
• Non-contributory pension scheme

The Institute of Psychoanalysis is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief or marital status. We respect one another whatever our background, whatever we look like, whatever we believe, and if you are going to work with us, you will need to do the same. If you are selected for an interview and have special requirements due to a disability, please let us know so that we can make any necessary adjustments.

This job description and person specification is for guidance only. Employees may be required to undertake additional or different duties within their capability or to re-train to meet the changing needs of the organisation.