Role Introduction

Eton College are seeking Maintenance Assistants to join our dedicated team. Our Maintenance Assistants have an important role to play in ensuring that our boarding houses are functional, welcoming and comfortable spaces for the boys. The work that you do in this role directly contributes to the boys’ experience of living in Eton, away from home.

In this role the successful post-holder will be responsible for carrying out planned and reactive routine maintenance for approximately 5 boarding houses, keeping records of works undertaken, logging and reporting faults, making assessments of work that needs to be carried out in the future, undertaking periodic health and safety checks and risk assessments, and providing general support to the houses, for example; moving furniture and helping with the preparation for the start and end of the Halves. From time to time you may be required to assist the Buildings Department carrying out work across the College in other buildings.      

Working Pattern

• 37.5 hours per week, working 8am – 4.30pm, Monday – Friday with one hour unpaid lunch break.
• 52 weeks per year.
• 21 days contractual annual leave, plus additional discretionary leave over the Christmas shut-down period (normally 3 days);
• When a bank holiday falls within a school term period, this is considered to be a working day and a day off in lieu will be given.

Due to the needs of the school and the department, we may interview suitable candidates before the closing date. This job may also close early if a large number of applications are received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid missing your chance to apply.

Main Duties

• Undertake maintenance and routine repairs within the boarding houses (including in boys’ rooms, common areas, kitchens, and the private side accommodation), for example;
  • Replacing door and window furniture
  • Easing windows
  • Adjusting doors, springs, locks and handles
  • Fitting door stops
  • Re-hanging curtains, curtain poles and tracks
  • Tightening tables and repairing furniture
  • Bleeding radiators
  • Replacing tap washers
  • Cleaning light fittings and replacing bulbs and diffusers as necessary
  • General painting and decorative repairs
  • Mattress changes
  • Handling and moving laundry bags
  • Cleaning and sweeping of outside areas, i.e. paths and driveways
  • Putting out bins as required
  • Maintenance of the bike sheds
  • Tidying and maintenance of gardens, watering pots and tubs as required
• Regularly walk through the boarding house noting any preventive maintenance required and logging the details with the Facilities and Maintenance Manager;
• Assisting with the heating and lighting of the premises, including frost protection;
• Reporting any system failures with heating, electric, lighting, water or sewerage to the Facilities and Maintenance Manager;
• Making minor repairs to the heating, electric, lighting, water or sewerage systems, where appropriate and after consultation with the Facilities and Maintenance Manager;
• Testing fire alarms and emergency lighting systems and ensuring all comply with Health and Safety guidelines, reporting any concerns to the Facilities and Maintenance Manager;
• Check and maintain a register of all fire equipment e.g. extinguishers, smoke detectors and heat detectors reporting any concerns to the Facilities and Maintenance Manager;
• Assisting with any weather-related hazards which might arise (e.g. flooding, snow-clearing and de-icing);
• Keeping all drains, gullies and low-level gutters clear and free-flowing;
• Keeping an inventory of tools and equipment, and ensuring they are kept in good repair and in line with relevant legislation;
• Taking responsibility for jobs assigned via the maintenance sheet from the Deputy Maintenance Manager, ensuring jobs are completed on time and to the appropriate standard, and that work spaces are left clean and in good order;
• Carrying out visual security checks of the premises and checking for evidence of any break-ins or forced entry, informing the Security team and police if necessary;
• Accompanying, by request, outside contractors and tradespeople who undertake work within the boarding houses;
• Supporting the houses to set up for events and clear away as necessary which may involve working with other Maintenance Assistants or members of the Buildings team;
• Supporting the set up and close down of the houses at the start and end of the Halves as applicable, including undertaking pre and post-close checks;
• Undertaking maintenance work during the summer period as allocated both in the boarding houses and other areas of the College;
• Undertaking checks required by relevant Health and Safety legislation, such as monthly checks for Legionella;
• Undertake all mandatory training relevant to the post;
• Undertaking any other reasonable duties as requested by the Line Manager;
• Commitment to and promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion;
• All positions at Eton are classed as ‘regulated activity’ as per the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 guidance, therefore a good understanding of safeguarding procedures is essential;
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including but not limited to, completing safeguarding training as required, and ensuring any safeguarding updates issued by the College are read and understood;
• Understand and comply with procedures and legislation relating to confidentiality.

Please note:

• Maintenance Assistants are normally aligned to approximately 5 houses Boarding Houses each however, you may be asked to undertake your role in a different house, or in different areas of the College on either a temporary or permanent basis according to the needs of the College.

The Ideal Candidate

To be successful in this role, you will need to be able to demonstrate the following;

• Previous maintenance experience is essential;
• Demonstrable competence in carrying out general repairs and maintenance tasks;
• Able to climb ladders and undertake the physical demands of the role in line with relevant health and safety guidelines;
• Prior knowledge of, or the ability to learn about, relevant Health and Safety legislation;
• A full clean UK driving licence.

You may enjoy this role if:

• You have a flexible and positive approach to work and a ‘can do’ attitude;
• You demonstrate attention to detail and taking responsibility for your work;
• You work as part of a team and support your colleagues;
• You have the ability to work unsupervised and use your own initiative;
• You have good verbal and written communication skills;
• You are punctual, polite and well presented.

Benefits

Eton College offers a wide range of benefits, including an 11% employer contribution to your pension (with 4.9% employee contribution), Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced Maternity / Paternity scheme, a cycle to work scheme, subsidised lunches during term time, free or heavily discounted access to the College’s sport and leisure facilities and discounts at local retailers and businesses.

About the College

We are an equal opportunities employer and are seeking applications from suitable candidates from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to creating and sustaining an environment that values individuality and difference and celebrates the diversity of both staff and pupils by fostering perseverance, tolerance and integrity. We believe in equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

If you have any queries about the application process or any problem with submitting your application online, the Recruitment Team will be happy to help. Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made or facilities provided to enable you to apply online, please do not hesitate to contact us on recruitment@etoncollege.org.uk so we can make adjustments accordingly. 

DISCLOSURE CHECKS

Eton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to, reference checks with past employers, an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (including Barred List information), an online search and, where applicable, Prohibition checks. If you are successful in your application, you will be required to complete a DBS Disclosure Application Form.  Any information disclosed will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or Code of Practice published by the DBS. The College is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings (including those which would normally be considered as “spent” under the Act) must be declared, subject to the DBS filtering rules. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to attempt to apply for a position at the College.

Eton College