THIS IS A PART TIME JOB FOR 12 HOURS PER WEEK. Some weekend working may be required. You need to live close by St Davids and have your own transport. Please do NOT apply if you are not already resident within the immediate area. We do NOT accept applications from outside the UK.
Overview
St Davids Cathedral is a key part of Welsh spirituality, culture and heritage. Home to Wales’ patron saint, it has a full and active programme of Christian worship with at least two services a day. The Cathedral also has: an outstanding Choir; varied activities relating to pilgrimage and education; frequent concerts and other musical events including the annual Music Festival. It is one of the top 10 visitor attractions in Wales, with over 200,000 tourists a year from all across the world making their way to this remote and idyllic place.
The building itself is one of – if not the – most important ecclesiastical buildings in Wales, dating from 1181, with additions and amendments to it through the centuries.
The Deanery Office is located at The Deanery, a short walk up the hill from the Cathedral.
The houses in the Cathedral Close are home to members of the clergy, lay staff and Scholars.
The role of Caretaker/Handyman is being introduced after a review of the current needs of the Cathedral, following the departure of a long standing member of the Cathedral team.
Inevitably in buildings of the age of the Cathedral and those in the Close, there are a multiplicity of maintenance and repair tasks which need to be addressed on a daily basis. Many of these are being carried out by the Vergers at the moment, which reduces the time they can give to their primary role. We have therefore decided that this role will take over these tasks, which could include:
1. painting, decorating, plastering
2. small electrical repairs
3. repairing Cathedral chairs and other wooden items in use in the Cathedral; making new items
4. replacing locks
5. plumbing tasks such as replacing washers on sinks, replacing cistern diaphragms, dealing with leaking radiators
6. cleaning gutters and downpipes on the cathedral roofs, and gulleys on the ground.
7. assisting the vergers with heavy furniture moving and erecting and dismantling staging (this may involve some occasional weekend/evening work – agreed in advance).
In the houses round the Close, the Caretaker/Handyman will be required to look after The Canonry, ensuring it is clean and all equipment is in good working order ready for stays by members of Chapter.
The Caretaker/Handyman will be required to help out with cleaning when members of the cleaning team are absent on holiday or off sick. This would mainly relate to cleaning public toilets and replenishing supplies. With so many visitors at the Cathedral, ensuring our facilities are clean and well maintained at all times is crucial to visitors’ having a good experience of the building.
Person Specification
· Demonstrable handyman skills, learned either through previous work experience and/or good quality, practical training programmes.
· An ability to demonstrate good time management and prioritisation skills.
· Problem solving abilities to work out how to carry out a task effectively and economically.
· Proactive and ready to take initiative: able to set a timetable for maintenance checks and services; able to identify repairs and report their need.
· A can-do, positive, attitude, ready to support the team and the wider Cathedral staff in a variety of tasks.
· Genuine pride in the quality of work.
· An empathy and understand for heritage buildings
· Lives locally to enable quick response.
· Reliable; good time keeping.
· In good physical shape to respond to the demands of the role. Note that some working at height and with ladders will be required so a good head for heights is essential.
· Strong respect for Health & Safety legislation and common sense when dealing with potentially hazardous situations. Recent accredited training in Working at Height, Manual Handling and Working with Ladders would be desirable.
Pay: £12.71 per hour
Work Location: In person
