Premises Assistant

ACL offers qualifications to help people move nearer to, enter, or progress within the workplace, or gain skills to enhance life chances. The service focuses many of its programmes and activities on the hardest to reach communities within Essex. ACL learners have access to a diverse range of accredited and non-accredited courses which encourage creativity, healthy lifestyles, social inclusion, and engagement.

The Premises Assistant is responsible for organising and carrying out effective caretaking and cleaning of the centre to ensure a safe and clean environment for customers, with responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of all Health & Safety requirements at the centre.

ACL Colchester working pattern:

Works on a two-week shift pattern.

Week 1

• Monday – Friday 06:30 – 14:30

Week 2

• Monday 9am – 5pm
• Tuesday 2pm – 10pm
• Wednesday 2pm – 10pm
• Thursday 2pm – 10pm
• Friday 9am – 5pm

You will be required to work at least one Saturday a month 08:00-14:00 (time in lieu) & to be flexible in business need to cover staff shortages. Outside of term time you will work day time hours.

Responsibilities:

• To oversee the security of and access to the site, locking and unlocking building to allow access, acting as key-holder in an emergency and responding to calls outside normal working hours, setting, and turning off alarms as required and checking them regularly
• Undertake caretaking and cleaning to ensure an efficient and effective service is provided for staff, learners, and customers. Ensure cleaning standards are met in accordance with specifications
• To undertake room setups and supply teaching aids in accordance with tutor and visitor booking information
• To take part and help organise periodic emergency evacuation of premises in line with Health & Safety codes of practice
• Responsible for preventing, as far as possible, unauthorised access to the site and unauthorised parking of vehicles, within appropriate policies and codes of practice
• Responsible for welcoming members of the public, other colleagues, and contractors onto site
• Maintain an inventory of the centre’s equipment, updating and reviewing on an annual basis. Test and check functioning of electrical equipment
• Undertake Health and Safety Risk Assessments, including external premises, ensuring policies and procedures are adhered to. Organise periodic emergency evacuation of premises in line with Health and Safety codes of practice. Monitor systems and equipment ensuring they meet health and safety requirements
• Monitor contractors and personnel working on the site, ensuring work is carried out in accordance with specification and compliant with health and safety procedures
• Maintain grounds, including mowing and clearing of weeds, ensure all hard areas and paths are free from litter and drains and gullies are free flowing and clean. Clear snow paths and provide access to premises in all weathers

Essential Requirements:

• Educated to RQF level 2 (GCSE) or equivalent through relevant work experience
• Enthusiastic about learning and developing your skills on the job, with opportunities for growth and training
• A hands-on approach to addressing challenges and finding practical solutions
• Previous experience in cleaning, caretaking, or maintenance tasks
• Familiarity with Health & Safety regulations, including manual handling procedures, ensuring the safety of yourself and others
• Comfortable using basic IT tools for email, Teams, and general admin tasks
• Friendly and approachable, able to communicate effectively and provide a warm welcome to all visitors on-site

To read more about our business area, please visit: Policy, Economy, Investment and Property

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email ami.fosker@essex.gov.uk

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