Caretaker & Security Officer

Ditcham Park School is an independent co-educational day school located in the South Downs National Park near Petersfield, Hampshire. There is a Junior and Senior School (with membership of the IAPS and HMC respectively) with approximately 400 pupils aged from 4 to 16 years old. There are approximately 85 members of staff. There is also a nursery building on site, with children aged from 6 months to 4 years, which is run as a separate entity but also comes under the responsibility of this role. The school site is approximately 16 acres in size, comprising of school buildings, grass sports areas, tennis courts and woodland.

Job Overview

The evening caretaker and security officer play crucial roles in maintaining a safe and well-functioning environment for the school and around the grounds. The caretaker is responsible for the overall upkeep of the premises, ensuring that all facilities are clean, functional, and welcoming. This includes routine maintenance tasks, addressing repairs, and managing the cleanliness of both indoor and outdoor spaces. On the other hand, the security officer focuses on protecting the property and its occupants by monitoring for any suspicious activities, enforcing access control measures, and responding to emergencies. Together, these roles create a secure and well-maintained atmosphere, which is essential for the safety and satisfaction of all who are on-site in the school.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensuring the safety of pupils and staff during school out of hours. (from end of school day).
• Takes primary responsibility for site security from 4:00 PM onwards, securing and alarming school buildings on completion of the school day.
• Assume responsibility for fire emergencies outside of the school day.
• Emptying recycling bins in classrooms daily.
• Emptying litter bins around the site when full.
• Removal of refuse from the Kitchen bin area and disposing of it into the designated bins.
• Restocking washrooms with consumables daily.
• Moving furniture and setting up for events.
• General maintenance duties.
• General Porterage duties such as carrying parcels to classrooms.
• Sweeping external areas and entrances where required.Assist grounds staff with leaf clearing in the Autumn term.
• Assisting with school open mornings and Founders day celebration.
• Assist with other tasks as required by the Estates Bursar, particularly during school holiday periods when the department focuses on remedial maintenance and forward-looking development.
• Always operate in line with the ethos culture and overall aims and policies of the school.

Whilst working in a school environment the following attributes are also of key importance:

• A willingness to accept a varied and flexible working pattern.
• A positive attitude and flexibility and willingness to work as part of a small team and relate to a wide range of people.
• The ability to prioritise effectively and efficiently when working to a tight deadline and the ability to use initiative when required.
• To have a personable friendly and enthusiastic manner as well as authority and firmness when required.
• The ability to undertake the physical demands of the role.
• The willingness to undertake training courses when applicable.
• Ability to respond to emergency work situations at short notice.
• Carry out other duties as reasonably required or requested.

Qualifications

• A full, clean driving licence (essential).
• Any H&S related courses (desirable).
• A basic knowledge of maintenance practices, decorating, plumbing, carpentry etc. (desirable).

Person specification

• Hard working with a flexible, adaptable approach to work.
• Resilient, calm, smart and patient with a professional manner and appearance.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines as well as working as part of the team.
• A reliable member of the team, punctual, considerate and supportive.
• Physically fit to meet the demands of the job.
• A willingness to learn new skills and take on new tasks.
• Attention to detail and takes pride in their work.
• Ability to maintain close and harmonious relations with work colleagues at all levels.
• Highest standards of safeguarding.
• Empathy to deal sensitively with parents, children and staff.
• Charisma, warmth, enthusiasm and a keen sense of humour.

As with all School employees, it is the School responsibility to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Safeguarding Policy at all times, thus promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people with whom they come into contact.

If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, you become aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School, you must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

This position is subject to an enhanced DBS certificate in the event of a successful application.

In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 all employees have a duty to look after their own and other’s health and safety. Ditcham Park School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers, and an enhanced DBS check will be required.

Application procedure

To apply for the position, please complete the application form and email it to recruitment@ditchampark.com.  To keep your data safe, we suggest you encrypt emailed applications.

Interview date arranged on application.

Agencies need not apply.