Thank you for your enquiry regarding the position of Housekeeping Assistant with the Field Studies Council (FSC) at Malham Tarn Field Centre.

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1 Welcome Dear Applicant Thank you for your enquiry regarding the position of Housekeeping Assistant with the Field Studies Council (FSC) at Malham Tarn Field Centre. Please find enclosed the following information: 1. Job Description and Person Specification 2. Summary of the main terms and conditions for the post 3. Information about FSC and FSC Malham Tarn (Please also visit: A Word version of the FSC Application Form and guidance notes can be downloaded from our website: If you wish to apply for the position please follow this procedure carefully: 1. Download and complete the Application Form for Non-Education Posts as fully as possible 2. Write a short Covering Letter explaining why you are applying for the position and how your skills and experience match the requirements of the role 3. Your completed form and covering letter should be returned for the attention of: Mike Cawthorn, Malham Tarn Field Centre, Settle, North Yorkshire, BD24 9PU Alternatively you can your application to: enquiries.mt@field-studies-council.org The closing date for receipt of your completed application is 12 noon on Friday 7 th February 2014 Interviews are scheduled to take place at Malham Tarn on Wednesday 12 th February 2014 Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by telephone and/or . Ideally, the successful candidate will be able to take up the post as soon as possible. As a charity, we endeavour to keep our administrative costs to a minimum and therefore you will only be contacted if we wish to progress your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion, however, if this is the case, we sincerely thank you for your interest in our organisation and encourage you to apply for any future posts that may be advertised. If you have any queries regarding this vacancy please call Rhys Davies on We look forward to receiving your application in due course. Mike Cawthorn Head of Centre Field Studies Council is a limited company No and a Charity, registered in England and Wales No and registered in Scotland, No. SC Registered Office: Preston Montford, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 1HW

2 JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: FSC Grade: Based at: Reports to: Housekeeping Assistant Team Member FSC Malham Tarn Systems Officer This post holds no line management responsibility Overall Job purpose: Housekeeping Assistants will ensure that the centre is clean and tidy for visitors at all times and contribute to a friendly welcoming atmosphere at the learning location. The Core Values that we regard as essential for every member of staff include: a passion to deliver the highest standards of customer care; honesty and openness; an ability to work safely; a desire to show pride in all aspects of their work; a flexible approach with a willingness to adapt to changes within the learning location; and a commitment to inspiring environmental understanding through first-hand experience. This is essentially an active role and will require the job holder to be able to carry out duties associated with housekeeping work including manual handling. Key Responsibilities: Undertaking routine and special cleaning of the learning location for all users: including bedrooms, corridors, public areas, staff areas, classrooms, bathroom, shower and toilet facilities Preparation of customer accommodation: including clearing and making up of beds, provision of towels, and restocking of tea/coffee making facilities Reporting room defects, damage or graffiti to the maintenance staff Recognising areas requiring additional cleaning, tackling these where possible and where necessary reporting these to your line manager Keeping all exits and corridors free from obstructions, ensuring that equipment is safely stored and laundry/house cupboards are organised and tidy Ensuring laundry is completed in a timely manner: working in the laundry, operating machines and pressing (after appropriate training) Manual handling tasks, e.g. carrying laundry, making beds, moving and operating vacuum cleaners. Being part of the learning location s duty team this may involve staying on site on some evenings and overnight to deal with customer issues and, with the support of a Senior member of staff, respond to emergencies Driving: We have a number of vehicles which you may be asked to drive. To do so, you will need to be 21 years or over, have a full valid driving licence, to have been driving for at least two years, and undertake an internal assessment on commencement in the role. Subject to meeting certain criteria, you may also be required to drive our minibuses. If you do not hold D1 entitlement and have the appropriate driving experience/certification, you will be required to undertake the relevant training upon commencement of the role. Attending staff meetings as well as FSC internal and external training as required, in order to share best practice and improve team and learning location performance, and participating fully in staff development activities (sometimes this may involve travel to other learning locations with the occasional overnight stay) Assisting with general maintenance and painting around the Centre during closed periods Behavioural Responsibilities: Following all FSC procedures and complying with FSC s statutory and legal requirements relating to health and safety, food hygiene, manual handling, the correct use and management of substances hazardous to health (eg. cleaning products) and general conduct Maintaining a high standard of customer service and ensuring the highest standards of quality are achieved in all duties carried out

3 Maintaining a high standard of personal hygiene & personal appearance in accordance with FSC policies Working closely with other Centre staff with regard to ensuring that appropriate levels of service are maintained during absences and periods of high workload Ensuring a happy, productive working environment that integrates well with other staff at the learning location Fulfilling your obligations under FSC s behaviour partnership Contributing to environmental performance through reducing waste and the efficient use of cleaning products Undertaking any other duties related to the work of FSC as reasonably requested by your line manager and the Head of Centre

4 PERSON SPECIFICATION Post Title: HOUSEKEEPING ASSISTANT Learning Location: FSC MALHAM TARN ESSENTIAL/DESIRABLE FACTORS FOR THE POST E D How is this identified? 1. QUALIFICATIONS First Aid qualification Application Basic level Health & Hygiene certificate Application 2. EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES Previous cleaning experience Application/Interview Ability to effectively manage tasks on a day to day basis Application /Interview Ability to deliver a high standard of customer care Application /Interview Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, line managers and customers Application /Interview Ability to use standard office software and technology, as appropriate to the role 3. PERSONAL QUALITIES Application Ability to work using your own initiative, as a competent and effective team member, and independently Interview Demonstrable personal time management and prioritisation skills Interview 4. OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES Full valid Driving Licence Application Full D1 entitlement with minibus driving experience / certification Application January 2014

5 SUMMARY OF MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS Contract Term: This is a permanent post. Remuneration: FSC Grade: Team Member. FSC Salary Grade: Scale Points 3 6, actual salary 6,562 to 7,377 per annum. The equivalent hourly rate would be 6.31 to 7,09 per hour. The point of entry within the grade will be dependent upon qualifications and experience. Subject to satisfactory performance and an individual review, the post-holder will have the opportunity to access up to 3 further incremental points within the grade. The salary is paid monthly in arrears by BACS transfer. The salary scale is reviewed annually. If resident at the Centre a deduction of 11.3% is taken from your gross monthly salary and you will be required to sign a residential accommodation agreement. Meals will only be provided during the course of your duties. Meals are not included on days off and holidays. A Uniform is provided by the FSC. Hours of work: The normal hours of work are based on 20 hours per week on a flexible shift; the exact working pattern will be discussed with you at the Interview. Annual & Bank Holidays: The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December each year. You will accrue an entitlement to paid annual holidays equivalent to 5.6 working weeks during a complete holiday year. This entitlement includes the Public/Bank holidays or substitute days (as defined in FSC s Employee Handbook) when they fall on a contractual or scheduled day of work. Part time workers will receive a pro-rata of the entitlement. For anyone who joins part way through the year they will receive a pro-rata entitlement of the 28 days. In addition to the above, we recognise and reward staff loyalty by awarding additional paid leave days, based on length of service, up to a maximum cumulative total of 5 additional days paid leave (pro rata for part time). Pension: The post-holder will be eligible to join one of FSC s Pension schemes. Sickness: During periods of certified sickness the post-holder will be eligible to receive sick pay in accordance with FSC s sickness absence procedures. The payment of sick pay is subject to compliance with FSC s rules for the notification and verification of sickness absence, details of which will be provided to the successful applicant upon commencement of employment. Additional Employee Benefits: These include an Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance* and Health Cash Plan with Westfield Health* (*exclusions apply). Further details are given on appointment, as applicable, or are available by contacting Human Resources at FSC Head Office on Probationary Period: This post has a three month probationary period, during which your suitability for the post will be assessed. Post Classification / Level of Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check Required: If resident / undertaking overnight duties: Category A (as defined in the FSC Code of Conduct) / Enhanced plus Children s Barred List check (Otherwise, Category C / No DBS check currently required however you must still meet the acceptance criteria as defined in the FSC Code of Conduct)

6 FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL (FSC) BACKGROUND INFORMATION For 70 years Field Studies Council (FSC) has been providing fieldwork and first-hand learning in the environment for people of all ages. We aim to provide inspiring environmental understanding through first-hand experience to a growing number of learners with as few barriers as possible. The Charity has an extensive network of established learning locations sited throughout the UK and an increasing number of outreach locations. We provide residential and non-residential field based courses supported by distance learning resources through our busy publications unit and on the Charity s website. FSC s main area of activity is working with schools, providing Geography, Science and other courses to complement all stages of the Curriculum. University courses at all levels are also a major part of the Charity s work. In addition, FSC provides a wide range of special interest courses for adults ranging from painting and photography to the study of habitats and taxonomic groups and professional training courses for teachers and those involved in the environment. Eco-Adventures (a mix of environmental and outdoor adventurous activities) and family activity holidays are also offered. FSC believes in the benefits of working in partnerships and these exist at all levels from strategic to local. This includes all areas of our work and extends to a range of international partners as well as those based in the UK. The Charity s values are about focusing on the needs of the learners; delivering safely what we say we will do; being committed to continuous improvement and having an FSC wide perspective. These are achievable because FSC staff have a real passion for the work of the Charity and a pride in their role within it. Every role in the Charity is vital to delivering its mission and vision if this inspires you and you meet the requirements of the post we would love to hear from you. For further information visit our website FSC Malham Tarn Malham Tarn Field Centre has a deserved reputation for the delivery of high quality field courses in geography and biology across the age range. The Centre is located in the South of the Yorkshire Dales National Park in an area of stunning limestone landscape. The Centre works with local schools, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the National Trust and Natural England in a range of partnerships. The Field Studies Council strives to invest in training and development which will create the environment for staff to maximise their potential in taking FSC forward. Looking after our customers is of paramount importance and the Office, Kitchen, Household and Education teams all play their part in ensuring we offer outstanding customer service. The management of the Centre is inclusive, with everyone being expected to contribute and having the opportunity to develop their skills and experience. There are approximately 24 staff at the Centre, with about half living locally in the Settle area. All other staff are residential and live in shared cottages situated 800m from the main Centre buildings.