Facilities Officer

PURPOSE OF POST

• To take a lead role in the effective management, organisation and supervision of all matters relating to, and all staff involved with St Hilda’s premises. This will include managing premises issues as they arise, and developing a premises and maintenance plan to ensure that the premises are fit for purpose and meet the requirements of health, safety and welfare legislation. To oversee services provided by the caretaking, cleaning and catering teams. Underpinning this is a need to focus on using best practice to improve efficiency by appropriately managing operating costs and increasing overall effectiveness.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES

• organise and coordinate on-site services and resource requirements to ensure service is maintained to the highest standard and is delivered with minimal disruption to teaching and learning;
• manage the school’s planned maintenance programme and ensure the delivery of agreed aspects of the programme (working with appropriately qualified and experienced personnel/consultants as appropriate);
• monitor and maintain the condition of site buildings and grounds to ensure appropriate standards are achieved; to ensure this the Facilities Officer may at times be required to work flexible hours;
• up to given limits, investigate the availability and suitability of options for improvement to premises, then agreeing the scope of the work with the Headteacher/Business Manager and obtain quotes from third party contractors (in line with the school’s procurement procedures) prior to instructing them to undertake the work to demonstrate that best value has been obtained;
• contribute to the strategic planning and development of the school site in consultation with specialised and appropriately qualified and indemnified consultants, Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the Governing Body;
• order, maintain and store materials and equipment, implementing appropriate control systems;
• ensure the physical security of the site including the fire and intruder alarm systems, emergency lighting, CCTV and other systems, ensuring that they are checked and functioning correctly.
• assist with the removal of rubbish and waste materials to the authorised disposal point when required
• take all reasonable precautions to safe-guard the heating system, water storage tanks and toilets from freezing during severe frosts
• line manage the Cleaning Supervisor and oversee the cleaning operation within the school;
• work with the Cleaning Supervisor to upskill existing staff and implement strategies to increase efficiency
• line manage the Caretaker
• line manage the Catering Manager and oversee the catering operation within the school;
• maintain and monitor the Catering budget
• work with the Catering Manager to upskill existing staff through CPD programme and implement strategies to increase efficiency, reduce waste and improve food offer
• conduct performance reviews and other line management tasks in line with school policy;
• in association with SLT, developing a disaster recovery strategy to include a detailed plan
• pro-actively manage the premises and key building management and control systems including fire safety and intruder alarms, plant and equipment and electrical systems;
• ensure building systems and assets are maintained in such a way as to reduce running costs and maximise their life;
• create positive relationships with suppliers, encouraging them to bring innovation and best practice to each contract;
• supervise contractors when undertaking work on school buildings and grounds, checking that agreed work by contractors has been completed satisfactorily, and following up on any deficiencies;
• ensuring safe working practices and appropriate quality standards are maintained throughout the school;
• maintain and monitor the budget for all site-based areas of responsibility.
• Devise, implement and report on whole school H&S training, identifying and allocating appropriate training to staff.
• Liaise with Heads of Department/Technicians to ensure checks relevant to their area are performed and recorded at appropriate intervals.
• oversee and take responsibility for the line management of the school’s Health and Safety Officer;
• oversee and take responsibility for the management of the school’s designated Fire Officer. Ensure that all fire related systems are regularly maintained and tested, appropriate records are kept and all related policies and procedures are reviewed and updated as necessary;
• maintain a register of Risk Assessments for operations undertaken by the premises, and cleaning/catering teams
• ensure effective risk management processes/recommendations are followed including applying risk assessment tools to identify hazards and associated risks;
• obtain risk assessments and method statements from third party contractors prior to them starting work on site;
• manage the implementation of the school’s Health and Safety policy, ensuring that all stakeholders (including contractors) comply with the appropriate legislation;
• ensure internal security procedures are adhered to, reporting any issues to the Headteacher/Business Manager
• take responsibility for the safety of the buildings and grounds at all times through the deployment and development of appropriate systems and operations;
• prepare and review risk assessments, statutory documentation, logs and records
• ensure system compliance and undertaking statutory, routine and ad hoc inspections and audits of systems and processes, e.g. those in place to prevent legionella, and those in place to ensure gas safety;
• in line with appropriate contingency planning, manage emergencies or urgent issues as they arise;
• be responsible for the safe use of the school minibus, ensuring that 8-weekly safety checks are carried out in line with Section 19 Regulations, all defects are repaired and that the vehicles are available and safe to use; and
• ensure that the system of “booking out” for any of the school vehicles is maintained and up to date.
• attend meetings within the school and external events as required
• prepare policy and review papers as required and requested
• maintain a presence in national professional networks and, through these and other means, ensure a current overview of sector policies and developments
• manage the staff development programme for the premises team, and the cleaning team, including conducting staff development reviews and participating, as required, in training, induction and staff development events.
• undergo First Aid at Work training and update courses as required
• undertake any necessary professional development as identified in, or that may be necessary to implement, the School Improvement Plan
• maintain a professional learning log and portfolio of evidence to support the Performance Management process
• to promote equality as an integral part of the role and to treat everyone with fairness and dignity.
• to recognise health and safety is a responsibility of every employee, to take reasonable care of self and others and to comply with the Schools Health and Safety policy and any school-specific procedures / rules that apply to this role.
• St Hilda's CE High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.
• to support the Head Teacher in promoting the Christian ethos of the school.
• to undertake such other duties as the Head Teac