About Net Zero Careers

Net Zero Careers connects people with jobs and career opportunities that contribute to the UK's transition to net zero.

We are recruiting an Estate Services Caretaker to keep housing estates, communal areas and outdoor spaces clean, safe and welcoming for residents.

Role Overview

As an Estate Services Caretaker, you will provide a comprehensive cleaning service across housing estates, following a programme of daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal tasks.

You will work in public areas and have daily contact with residents. A respectful, resident-focused approach is essential, including responding calmly to concerns and handling difficult interactions with tact and diplomacy.

This is a physically demanding role involving outdoor work in most weather conditions, walking considerable distances, bending, stretching and lifting. Some tasks involve unpleasant or unhygienic conditions, including waste, odours and infestations.

Important Eligibility Information

• This role is currently available to Southwark Borough residents only, as part of a Section 106 (S106) agreement. If this eligibility requirement changes, the advert will be updated.

• You must be able to carry out the physical duties of the role, including regular cleaning tasks and safely lifting and carrying bulky items weighing up to 25kg.

Key Responsibilities

• Clean estate paths, roads, grass and shrub areas, lifts, lobbies, stairs, balconies, bin areas and refuse chute areas.

• Sweep, mop and remove litter, animal waste and other unhygienic waste.

• Follow the agreed cleaning programme and maintain the cleaning standards advertised to residents.

• Carry out seasonal tasks, including leaf clearance, gritting and snow clearance.

• Safely move bulky refuse, including furniture and appliances, to collection points, asking colleagues for help where needed.

• Sort bulky waste at the council depot, separating it into the required categories, including recyclables.

• Carry out specialist cleaning using appropriate machinery and chemicals, including jet washing, deep cleaning and buffing.

• Clear blocked refuse chutes and hoppers.

• Prioritise cleaning tasks that remove health and safety hazards and report any hazards identified.

• Use warning signs when mopping stairs and walkways.

• Use and store machinery, chemicals and personal protective equipment safely, following training and COSHH requirements.

• Wear the required uniform so residents can identify you.

• Check lifts and play areas daily, reporting breakdowns and cleaning or reporting problems as appropriate.

• Immediately report vandalism, suspicious activity and antisocial behaviour.

• Report any difficulties completing the cleaning schedule.

• Collect and transport equipment and supplies, with occasional driving duties as required.

• Provide cover across estates and support scheduled deep cleaning programmes.

• Follow the employer’s policies, including health and safety and equal opportunities requirements.

Essential

• Self-motivated and able to organise and prioritise your workload.

• Able to carry out daily, weekly and monthly cleaning tasks and safely lift and carry bulky items weighing up to 25kg.

• Good teamwork skills and attention to detail.

• Treat residents and colleagues with respect at all times.

• Able to respond calmly to residents’ concerns and handle difficult situations, including abusive behaviour, with tact and diplomacy.

• Awareness of health and safety requirements.

Desirable

• Experience cleaning public areas and housing estates.

• A full driving licence.

• Knowledge of using cleaning chemicals and machinery.

• Knowledge of basic estate cleaning techniques.

• Knowledge of safe handling and lifting.

• Salary: £31,086 per year.

• Location: Head office in Southwark, London, SE1 3HN, with work across local housing estates.