Scout

Job Title - Scout /Cleaner

Department - Steward's

Reports to - Housekeeper

Coordination with - Colleagues, Students and Guests

Responsible for (staff) - None

Location - Queen's College, Oxford

The College and the Role

Founded in 1341, Queen's is one of the oldest constituent Colleges in the University of Oxford. Its membership comprises around 330 undergraduates, 160 graduates, and around 45 Fellows. The Provost is head of the College, and serves as Chair of the Governing Body.

In addition to rooms for students and Fellows, the College maintains extensive library facilities, seminar and meeting rooms, music rooms, common rooms, and many other facilities to support its academic and cultural life. The past decade has witnessed a very substantial programme of refurbishment and construction, including the building of a new kitchen and a new auditorium on the main site, and a new underground extension to the Library.

Further information on the College can be found on its website at

Purpose of the role

To clean rooms, communal areas and passageways in Main College, Carrodus Quad or other College buildings.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To empty bins daily in rooms and offices
To clean passageways and communal areas daily
To clean toilets, bath and shower rooms daily
To clean kitchen areas daily
To clean basins and mirrors in rooms at least once per week
To vacuum and dust rooms and offices at least once per week according to a rota
To clean skirting boards, marks on walls and banisters at least once per week
To spring-clean rooms at the end of each term and the end of the Long Vacation
(windows, wardrobes, lampshades etc)
To report any faults in fittings and furnishings to the Steward/housekeeper
To report any evidence of illegal activity in rooms to the Steward
To enter rooms during term-time at least once every three days to check student welfare
To make up beds with fresh linen during conference use of rooms, over weekends if required
To comply with Staff Regulations and Health & Safety Regulations as issued and to attend training as required
To report any breach of Health & Safety to the Steward or Domestic Bursar
To consult the Staff Noticeboard for notices regarding health & safety and general discipline
To perform any extra tasks that will be allocated from time to time

The above list is not an exhaustive list of duties and this job description may be subject to change due to organizational need.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Effective communication skills
Smart appearance
Honest, reliable and hard working
Flexible attitude and approach to work
Attention to detail
Ability to work under instruction and in harmony with colleagues
Ability to work under pressure
An ability to achieve and maintain required levels and standards of service and hygiene
Excellent customer service skills

SUMMARY OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Full terms and conditions of employment will be provided in writing to the successful candidate.

The information below is for guidance only and does not constitute the contract of employment.

Hourly Rate

£14.06 per hour, Oxford Living wage.

Occasional weekend work available when the business needs. Thirty minutes of overtime must be worked prior to overtime being eligible for payment. Overtime weekend work is to be paid at time and a half.

Oxford Living Wage

The College has paid the Oxford Living Wage (OLW) since 2022; this rate of pay is linked to the Living Wage Foundation's Real Living Wage and ensures that wages do not fall below a level of liveable earnings. Increases in the OLW are not determined by the College.

Contract /Duration

This is a permanent part time post. There will be an initial probationary period of six months. Only after successfully completing this probationary period will the appointment be confirmed.

Hours of Work

The normal hours of work will be 25 hours per week , Monday to Friday.

Occasional weekend work is available to suit the business needs. Breaks are in line with current Working Time Regulations and are unpaid. You may be required to work additional hours when authorised and as necessitated by the needs of the business. Flexibility in work patterns will be needed when the requirements of the role demand this - such as special events.

Probationary and notice periods

Up to one month's service - no notice is required
From one month’s service to the successful completion of your probationary period - one week.
On successful completion of your probationary period - one month
The College is required to give you notice of one week for each year of service from 5 years' service up to a maximum of 12 weeks on completion of 12 years' service.

Training will be available where required or where reasonably requested.

The appointment will be subject to proof of the right to work in the UK, acceptable references, proof of qualifications, and the satisfactory completion of a medical questionnaire.

Benefits include

Membership of a contributory pension scheme (OSPS).
Holiday entitlement of 38 days pro rata per annum (1 January to 31 December) including Bank Holidays. There is a requirement to use some annual holiday entitlement for the College's Christmas closure period. One additional day of holiday is awarded for completion of 5, 10 and 15 years' service. Towards the end of the holiday year College offers to "buy-back" up to 5 days of unused holiday.
The following Occupational Sick Pay is provided:
1 week full pay during probation
8 weeks full pay during the balance of the first year
2nd & 3rd years' service - 12 weeks full pay plus 12 weeks half pay
4th & 5th years' service - 20 weeks full pay plus 20 weeks half pay
6th years' service and beyond - 26 weeks full pay plus 26 weeks half pay
One meal will be provided free of charge, to be taken either during an unpaid meal break during working hours, or at either end of a shift in the employee's own time.
Use of the College gym
Membership of the University Club
Discounted bus pass purchase scheme, a rail purchase scheme, and a cycle to work scheme

Diversity and Equal Opportunity at Queen's College

The Queen's College is an equal opportunities employer and a living wage employer.

Entry into employment with the College and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Applications are particularly welcome from underrepresented groups. We are committed to the principles of equal opportunities and respect for individuals in creating and maintaining an inclusive environment that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value and celebrate diversity and feel that is critical to achieving our strategic aims and long-term success. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

The College also shares the university’s commitment "to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are respected." The university’s full policy is available at

The College invites all applicants to familiarise themselves with its equal opportunities policy, available at

Data protection

All data supplied by applicants will be used only for the purposes of determining their suitability for the post and will be held in accordance with the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation 2018.

Privacy Policy

The College Privacy Policy can be viewed here:

All data supplied during the application process will be processed and stored in accordance with this policy.

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