Cleaning Assistant (Job Number: 26000821)
Accommodation & Commercial Services
Grade 1: - £24,479 per annum (pro-rata)
Open-Ended/Permanent - Part Time
Contracted Hours per Week: 15
Working Arrangements: Onsite working only
Closing Date: 01-Jul-2026, 5:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
Job Title: Cleaning Assistant
Department Estates and Facilities Directorate
Accommodation and Commercial Services
Grade: Grade 1
Salary range: £24,479 (pro-rata)
Working arrangements: Part-time (see below for shift details)
Permanent
Onsite working only
For available shifts, please see below
Closing date: Wednesday 1st July 2026
Interview date: Wednesday 15th July 2026 between 8am-1pm
Available Shifts:
Permanent:
-
1x 20 hours, 5 days out 7, 52 weeks, indicative working pattern 6am-10am, Monday to Friday
-
1x 10 hours, 5 days out of 7, 52 weeks, indicative working pattern 6am-9am, Monday to Friday
1x 2 hours, 1 out of 7, 52 weeks, indicative working pattern 6am-8am, Saturday
-
1x 14 hours, 2 out of 7, 30 weeks, indicative working pattern 6am-2pm, Saturday and Sunday – start date: September 2026
1 x 6 hours 2 out of 7, 30 weeks, indicative working pattern, 5pm-8pm, Saturday and Sunday – start date: September 2026
Fixed Term
-
1x 15 hours, 5 out of 7, 52 weeks, indicative working pattern 6am-9am, Monday to Friday – Fixed Term until 31st March 2027
The University
At Durham University, we are proud of our people, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community. We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team.
Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.
At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion. It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here.
The Role and Department
As Cleaning Assistant, you will deliver a range of cleaning and housekeeping services across University premises, including the cleaning and servicing of facilities, offices and common areas, used by students, staff and commercial customers.
The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides a number of essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses.
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University, you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
- 27 Days annual leave per year (in additional to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year), a total of 39 days, including time off between Christmas and New Year.
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
- Discounts via our benefits portal, including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
- On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
- Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities.
- Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply
To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for:
Essential Criteria
1. Good spoken and written communication skills.
2. Basic numeracy and literacy skills.
3. Evidence of personal development to maintain skills.
4. Ability to work alone but build positive working relationships and work in a team.
5. Ability to manage time to meet deadlines.
6. Ability to follow instructions, spoken or written, accurately.
7. Good attention to detail.
8. Ability to deal effectively with staff and customers at all levels.
Desirable Criteria
1. Basic digital skills including the ability to use the internet and email.
2. BICS or First Aid trained.
3. Previous housekeeping and/or cleaning experience.
How to apply
We prefer to receive applications online. When you apply you need to submit a CV and/or a statement that tells us your experience and gives examples of how you meet the criteria above.
We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
Who to contact for more information
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role or if you are struggling to complete the application process, Stephanie Rolfe, Housekeeping, Cleaning and General Services Manager,
[email protected], would be happy to speak to you.
Typical Role Requirements
Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate.
Service Delivery
- Provide an excellent, responsive service to our students, staff and others by carrying out your tasks using the relevant procedures (which we will provide training for).
- Look after yourself and others by following health and safety regulations, including correctly wearing any protective clothing or equipment provided, e.g., uniform provided e.g., safety shoes, and be aware of any hazards.
- Learn how to use everyday equipment and tools e.g., cleaning equipment, digital devices, software and applications.
- Follow instructions from a supervisor to learn the correct methods to deliver set tasks and procedures.
- Learn how to, and deliver, services in line with regulatory and statutory guidelines and protocols.
- Keep physical internal and external environments, buildings and services in a safe and secure working order.
Teamwork
- Help and cooperate with the rest of your team.
- Support other team members to deliver a frontline student, staff or visitor service, when asked.
- Help colleagues maintain facilities and equipment safely and securely.
- Bring any problems to the attention of more senior colleagues.
- Adopt and promote a flexible approach to working and be willing to cover absences, when given reasonable notice, including evenings and weekends, as business demands.
Communication/Personal
- Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
- Use digital devices and apps (such as email) to communicate with staff, students, and others.
- Ensure own work is completed in accordance with risk assessments specific to tasks and environments.
- Attend all training and development, as required.
Other
- Undertake an element of physical manual handling, which can include lifting and transporting equipment and deliveries.
- Any other reasonable duties.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement, https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
