Job Title:Housekeeper -Part-Time (16hrs) - Fixed term contract

Responsible To:Housekeeping Supervisor

Liaises with:All Grand Opera House Personnel, Visiting Production Companies, Suppliers, Patrons, Clients and Trustees

Purpose:The Grand Opera House Trust is proud of the historic theatre and the provision of a clean and comfortable environment for all our customers is of the utmost importance.

The purpose of the post is to maintain a satisfactory level of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the front of house and back of house areas adhering to daily, weekly and monthly cleaning schedules as directed.

The Grand Opera House is Northern Ireland’s premier theatre, presenting an outstanding programme of arts including musicals, ballet, opera, drama, comedy, dance, family shows and pantomime. It supports both local amateur and professional production companies and strives to attract work class theatrical productions to its renowned stage in Belfast. It also promotes a wide range of education and outreach programmes to nurture talent and increase participation in the arts.

Designed by leading theatre architect, Frank Matcham and established in 1895, it is a landmark example of a Victorian theatre and has listed status. The theatre attracts over 275,000 visitors per annum and presents over 330 performances in the main auditorium with an average occupancy of greater than 70%. The theatre strives to continue to increase attendances, whilst offering a consistent, varied, quality programme of live theatre, and a value-for-money, quality experience for theatregoers.

For further background, visit the Grand Opera House website at

Main Duties

Operational

  • Maintaining a satisfactory level of cleanliness and hygiene in all areas of the theatre as specified in appropriate cleaning schedules and in accordance with Health and Safety regulations and guidelines.
  • Maintaining clean, attractive and hygienic front of house areas including foyers, auditoria, toilets, stairwells, meeting spaces and bar areas that are consistent with the Theatre’s Customer Service and Health and Safety Policies.
  • Maintaining clean, attractive and hygienic back of house areas including dressing rooms, toilets, under stage areas, stage door and offices that are consistent with the Theatre’s Customer Service and Health and Safety Policies.
  • Completing the daily cleaning checklists and ensuring this is signed off by the Housekeeping Supervisor.
  • Carrying out duties in a timely and effective manner.
  • Being honest and accurate in the handling of stock and lost property and recording accurate details of dates, times and locations of where items have been found.
  • Assisting in the maintenance of all necessary administrative records as required.
  • Other related duties associated with the maintenance and cleaning of the Theatre and its administrative offices as may from time to time be required by the Housekeeping Supervisor or other Management staff.

Health and Safety

  • Providing the Housekeeping Supervisor with details of any repairs or maintenance issues.
  • Being vigilant in order to prevent accidents or incidents that might cause injury or harm to patrons or staff and reporting hazards to the Housekeeping Supervisor/ Duty Manager.
  • Ensuring that all emergency exit doors are operable and that no emergency exits are blocked at any time.
  • The safe removal and disposal of waste and litter in accordance with the appropriate policy.
  • Adhering to evacuation procedures and ensuring the prompt and efficient evacuation of the building if necessary.
  • The safe use and storage of cleaning materials in accordance with Health & Safety guidelines and Theatre Policy.
  • Complete accident and incident report forms fully as and when required.

Other

  • Being flexible, reliable and a good timekeeper.
  • To work in accordance with the Policies and Procedures of the Grand Opera House and to attend in-house/external training as required.
  • Undertaking the foregoing duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the Theatre.
  • Maintaining confidentiality in all issues relating to the work of the Theatre.

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the major responsibilities of this position in a standardized format. It is not intended to describe all elements of the work that may be performed.

Person Specification

Profile/Attributes:The successful candidate will have previous work experience in a similar housekeeping role, have a flexible approach and be used to working as part of a team.

Essential Criteria:

  1. At least one years paid work experience in a similar housekeeping role
  2. Experience of working as part of a team
  3. The ability to work daytimes, evenings, weekends & public and bank holidays
  4. A basic level of literacy and understanding of the English language

Desirable Criteria:

  1. A qualification in First Aid or Health and Safety obtained within the last 3 years
  2. Evidence of having received COSHH training within the last 3 years
  3. Knowledge and experience of working with related risk assessments

Contract Type, Remuneration, Hours of Work and Annual Holiday Entitlement:

The successful applicant will be offered a fixed term contract up until the end of January 2018 for 16 hours a week, split over 4 days.

Shifts will be of 4 hours duration scheduled across 7 days of the week. Employees will work on a flexible rota basis according to the needs of the Theatre and may be required to work shifts which may include mornings, afternoons or evenings.

Due to the nature of the business, Housekeepers will be also be required to work around the performance schedule including Saturdays, Sundays, bank and public holidays and it may also be necessary to work a variable work pattern involving split shifts to cover performance times as required.

The hourly rate of pay is currently £7.20 per hour and payment is made weekly in arrears. The hourly rate of pay will increase in April 17 in line with the National Living Wage increase.

The annual holiday entitlement for full time staff is 20 days and 11 Bank and Public Holidays. The successful candidate will be entitled to a pro rata amount of this entitlement based on the length of the contract and the number of weekly working hours (ie.16 hrs).

Please note that a satisfactory criminal record check is a condition of employment with the Grand Opera House and before commencing employment the successful candidate will be asked to complete a Basic Access NI Check.

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