Job profile

The College and the Role

Founded in 1341, Queen’s is one of the oldest constituent Colleges in the University of Oxford. Its membership comprises around 330 undergraduates, 160 graduates, and around 45 Fellows. The Provost is head of the College, and serves as Chair of the Governing Body.

In addition to rooms for students and Fellows, the College maintains extensive library facilities, seminar and meeting rooms, music rooms, common rooms, and many other facilities to support its academic and cultural life. The past decade has witnessed a very substantial programme of refurbishment and construction, including the building of a new kitchen and a new auditorium on the main site, and a new underground extension to the Library.

Further information on the College can be found on its website at www.queens.ox.ac.uk

Purpose of the role

To clean rooms, communal areas and passageways in Main College, Carrodus Quad or other College

buildings.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To empty bins daily in rooms and offices
• To clean passageways and communal areas daily
• To clean toilets, bath and shower rooms daily
• To clean kitchen areas daily
• To clean basins and mirrors in rooms at least once per week
• To vacuum and dust rooms and offices at least once per week according to a rota
• To clean skirting boards, marks on walls and banisters at least once per week
• To spring-clean rooms at the end of each term and the end of the Long Vacation
• (windows, wardrobes, lampshades etc)
• To report any faults in fittings and furnishings to the Steward/housekeeper
• To report any evidence of illegal activity in rooms to the Steward
• To enter rooms during term-time at least once every three days to check student welfare
• To make up beds with fresh linen during conference use of rooms, over weekends if required
• To comply with Staff Regulations and Health & Safety Regulations as issued and to attend
• training as required
• To report any breach of Health & Safety to the Steward or Domestic Bursar
• To consult the Staff Noticeboard for notices regarding health & safety and general
• discipline
• To perform any extra tasks that will be allocated from time to time

The above list is not an exhaustive list of duties and this job description may be subject to change due to organizational need.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Effective communication skills
• Smart appearance
• Honest, reliable and hard working
• Flexible attitude and approach to work
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work under instruction and in harmony with colleagues
• Ability to work under pressure
• An ability to achieve and maintain required levels and standards of service and hygiene
• Excellent customer service skills

SUMMARY OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Full terms and conditions of employment will be provided in writing to the successful candidate.

The information below is for guidance only and does not constitute the contract of employment.

Hourly Rate: £12.49 , Oxford Living wage.

Hours worked in excess of contracted hours, will be compensated at time-and-a-half of basic rate of pay. Occasional weekend work available when the business needs. Thirty minutes of overtime must be worked prior to overtime being eligible for payment. 

Oxford Living Wage:

The College has paid the Oxford Living Wage (OLW) since 2022; this rate of pay is linked to the Living Wage Foundation’s Real Living Wage and ensures that wages do not fall below a level of liveable earnings. Increases in the OLW are not determined by the College. Staff paid marginally above the OLW may therefore find, over time, that their rate of pay is matched or overtaken by the OLW. From that point onwards they will be paid the OLW.

Contract /Duration

This is a permanent part time post. There will be an initial probationary period of six months. Only after successfully completing this probationary period will the appointment be confirmed.

Hours of Work

The normal hours of work will be varied across the week Monday to Friday. Occasional weekend work is available to suit the business needs. Breaks are in line with current Working Time Regulations and are unpaid. You may be required to work additional hours when authorised and as necessitated by the needs of the business. Flexibility in work patterns will be needed when the requirements of the role demand this – such as special events.

Probationary and notice periods

The post is subject to six month probationary period. The following notice periods are required from you or the College to terminate your employment:

1. Up to one month’s service – no notice is required
2. From one month’s service to the successful completion of your probationary period – one week.
3. On successful completion of your probationary period – one month
4. The College is required to give you notice of one week for each year of service from 5 years’ service up to a maximum of 12 weeks on completion of 12 years’ service. 

Training will be available where required or where reasonably requested.

Benefits include:

• Membership of a contributory pension scheme (OSPS).
• Holiday entitlement of 38 days pro rata per annum (1 January to 31 December) including Bank Holidays. There is a requirement to use some annual holiday entitlement for the College’s Christmas closure period. One additional day of holiday is awarded for completion of 5, 10 and 15 years’ service. Towards the end of the holiday year College offers to ‘buy-back’ up to 5 days of unused holiday.
• The following Occupational Sick Pay is provided:
  • 1 week full pay during probation
  • 8 weeks full pay during the balance of the first year
  • 2^nd & 3^rd years’ service – 12 weeks full pay plus 12 weeks half pay
  • 4^th & 5^th years’ service – 20 weeks full pay plus 20 weeks half pay
  • 6^th years’ service and beyond – 26 weeks full pay plus 26 weeks half pay
• One meal will be provided free of charge, to be taken either during an unpaid meal break during working hours, or at either end of a shift in the employee’s own time.
• Use of the College gym
• Membership of the University Club
• Discounted bus pass purchase scheme, a rail purchase scheme, and a cycle to work scheme

HOW TO APPLY

• Click ‘Apply Online’ at the foot of this web page
• Complete the Supporting Statement section of the application form stating why you are interested in the post and how your qualifications and experience match our essential and desired requirements. Please study the job description and person specification and explain what skills, experience and personal qualities you would bring to the College, how they relate to the post you have applied for and demonstrate your ability to undertake the duties of the post.

The appointment will be subject to proof of the right to work in the UK, acceptable references, proof of qualifications, and the satisfactory completion of a medical questionnaire.

Any enquiries about the application process should be emailed to HR@queens.ox.ac.uk

Data protection

All data supplied by applicants will be used only for the purposes of determining their suitability for the post and will be held in accordance with the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation 2018.

Privacy Policy

The College Privacy Policy can be viewed here:

https://www.queens.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Applicants-for-office.pdf

All data supplied during the application process will be processed and stored in accordance with this policy.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity at Queen’s College

The Queen’s College is an equal opportunities employer and a living wage employer.

Entry into employment with the College and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Applications are particularly welcome from underrepresented groups. We are committed to the principles of equal opportunities and respect for individuals in creating and maintaining an inclusive environment that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value and celebrate diversity and feel that is critical to achieving our strategic aims and long-term success. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

The College also shares the university’s commitment ‘to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are respected.’ The university’s full policy is available at https://edu.admin.ox.ac.uk/equality-policy

The College invites all applicants to familiarise themselves with its equal opportunities policy, available at https://www.queens.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Equal-Opportunities-Policy-May-2020.pdf