Leeds, Wakefield & District Branch
Charity No. 232223
Job Framework
Job Title: Caretaker & Maintenance Operative
Location: RSPCA Leeds & Wakefield Animal Centre
Reporting to: Branch Administrator
Responsible for: day to day cleaning, care & maintenance of grounds & buildings
PURPOSE OF JOB
Cleaning, Care and maintenance of buildings and grounds.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Cleaning Duties
 Weekly cleaning of offices & communal areas.
3 x weekly cleaning of visitor areas & shop floor
Hoovering, sweeping of carpets and hard floors as required, damp dust surfaces,
empty bins
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Daily cleaning of washrooms, toilets & basins, running shower for designated time.
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Monthly cleaning of internal extraction fans/grilles
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Monthly deep clean of kitchen, team rest room & meeting room
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Empty waste bins & transport rubbish to main waste contractor bins outside
Care & maintenance Duties
 Routine clearance of gullies, gratings, gutters and downpipes.
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Routine lubrication and adjustment of door, gate and window furniture (i.e. hinges,
locks, padlocks, handles etc) and replacement when necessary.
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Routine sweeping, cleaning of external paving, paths, steps, ramps etc. Clearance of
ice/ snow in appropriate conditions and laying grit/salt. Identification and remedy of
pot holes and trip hazards.
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Routine cleaning of external lights and signs.
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Specific routine maintenance tasks for items of plant as directed.
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General inspection and reporting of more significant defects, and recording of same.
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Minor repair of services, such as and including tap washers, light bulbs, diffusers,
waste traps.
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Clearance of blockages to underground drains, rain water gutters and downpipes as
far as practical by means of rods and hose and routine cleaning.
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Minor unskilled repairs to building fabric including decorations, doors, windows, floor
coverings, outbuildings, fences, gates etc.
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Minor quantities of redecoration work as directed, included internal and external
finishes, fences and gates.
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Inspection and maintenance of protective equipment, tools, and plant provided for all
the above, and storage in tidy and safe condition.
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Routine maintenance of garden and grounds to the required standard, and as
directed including grass cutting, lawn mowing and rolling trimming edges. Regular
weeding of beds, borders, pathways and yards including application of nonhazardous chemical weed killers as directed.
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Maintenance of beds and borders including bedding area of plants and bulbs in
season and planting of shrubs and trees as directed.
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Maintenance of hedges and uncultivated areas to reasonable standard by cutting
back of brambles, nettles and overgrowth, disposal of cuttings.
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Correct operation and routine maintenance of lawnmowers and other garden
machinery including security of these, and arrangements of full mechanical servicing
in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
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General cleaning of branch vehicle, checking oil & water levels, arranging servicing,
MOT.
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General assistance to any member of Branch staff in such duties as may be required,
especially in the handling of heavy, awkward items including animal carcases.
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Have ready access to all manufacturers’ instructions and safety advice for all plant,
tools, materials etc. utilised in the role and ensuring that they are followed correctly.
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Advising the Branch Administrator/Animal Care Manager of all routine statutory tests
and inspections carried out and providing advance warning of when they are next
due, including fire alarm and emergency light testing.
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Advising the Branch Administrator/Animal Care Manager of all outstanding upkeep,
maintenance and repair items which are beyond the Maintenance Person's capacity
or capability.
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Developing and maintaining a maintenance plan for the site.
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Occasional work at the other Branch properties.
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General other duties as directed and subject to availability.
While at work all staff are required to:
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take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their
acts and omissions.
co-operate with establishment, branch and society policies and procedures for health
and safety
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In addition, the holder of this post will be required to correctly use personal protective
equipment/clothing as supplied and as appropriate to the task in hand. This may include the
following:
a. Overalls,
b. Safety boots
c. Rubber gloves
d. Anti-dust mask/respirator
e. Ear defenders
f. Hard hat
g. Safety goggles
h. Barrier cream
I. Rubbish grabber
j.. Other items specific to a particular task
The holder of this post will be required to correctly use all equipment protective devices
provided. This will include the use of portable residual current circuit breakers in conjunction
with all portable electrical equipment.
On site statutory testing duties:
Monthly testing of emergency lighting
Weekly testing of main fire points
Monthly testing of all fire points
Regular checking of fire blankets and extinguishers incl expiry dates (minimum 2 x year)
Running 2 x annual Fire drills
External Contractors:
All major maintenance and repair works will be undertaken by external contractors, on an
emergency callout basis, or annual maintenance or one off contract administered by the
RSPCA Leeds & Wakefield Branch. In such cases you will coordinate external contractors
on site.
Working at height:
Use ladders and stepladders for tasks of low risk and short duration only.
Perform a risk assessment to determine that it is correct to use a ladder, you should further
minimise the risk by making sure you:
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use the right type of ladder for the job
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are competent & trained to use the equipment provided
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use the equipment provided safely and follow a safe system of work
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are fully aware of the risks and measures to help control them
Follow HSE guidance on safe use of ladders and stepladders and The Work at Height
Regulations 2005
Job holders signature……………………………….Date……………………………………
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Line manager’s signature…………………………..Date…………………………………….
Person Specification
Caretaker & Maintenance Operative
Requirements
Education & Training
Essential
 Good general level of
education
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Experience
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Skills/Knowledge
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Personality &
Behaviour
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Special Circumstances
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Desirable
 City & Guilds Trade
qualifications
 Evidence of served apprentiship
in a relevant Trade
 NVQ in General Maintenance &
Housekeeping
Experience as a
maintenance operative
Experience as a
handyman
General experience in a
related role

Skilled in repairs &
maintenance
Knowledge of a broad
range of practical tasks
associated with caretaking
Ability to prioritise
workload
Ability to work outdoors in
all weather
Ability to undertake a
physically demanding role
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Calm under pressure
Reliable & good time
keeper
Strength, dexterity &
coordination to use a
range of tools & equipment
Ability to relate to people
from all backgrounds
Drive & enthusiasm
Sympathetic to the
RSPCA’s aims &
objectives
Willing & able to work
longer than the contracted
hours when the job
demands
Willing to work shifts, incl
evenings & weekends
Full UK Driving Licence
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Experience of working with
volunteers
Previous charity employment
Aware of Health & safety
legislation
Trained & able to PAT test for
portable appliance compliance
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