Property Custodian - Newhaven Fort Newhaven, England
Job description
Background
Wave Leisure Trust Limited (Wave) is a Charity and Social Enterprise with a purpose of “Inspiring Active Lifestyles” and a Vision, “To be at the heart of the improvement of health and wellbeing within the Community”.
Formed in 2006, Wave is recognised as an award-winning Trust, managing 14 leisure facilities and Newhaven Fort along with providing a vast range of activity programmes and outreach initiatives.
Supporting well over one million active customer visits on an annual basis, Wave ensures all surplus revenues generated from activities are reinvested back into the community in the form of facility developments and refurbishments, new programmes of activity or outreach initiatives.
As we emerge from the intense phase of the pandemic our ‘Build Back Better’ Strategy focuses on three key activity areas:
1. Rebuild
- The structure of the business focusing on core activities.
2. Invest
- To ensure recovery, greater resilience and future sustainability.
3. Community Health
- In isolation or in partnership with public health partners to deliver positive health interventions.
The Post in Context
In May 2015, Wave also took on the responsibility for managing Newhaven Fort; a regional visitor attraction of significant importance. The Fort vision is to become “an excellent, engaging and enriching visitor experience, which respects and provides better access to the heritage of the site.”
In 2020 Newhaven Fort was awarded funding from the government’s Covid Recovery Fund to allow the site to re-open and operate sustainably in a post-pandemic world. Several enhancements to the visitor experience were made and the Fort continues its journey of ‘re-imagination’ to ensure that it meets the needs of current and new visitors and therefore becomes more sustainable.
In late 2021, Lewes District Council received extensive funding from Central Government, £5.8m of which is identified for investment in the Fort to make it a more sustainable visitor attraction moving forwards. Extensive works are planned (up to 2025) to make the Fort a more sustainable heritage visitor attraction focusing on :-
- Extensive Repairs and Restoration of the Heritage Fabric
- Health & Safety and Environmental Improvements
- Visitor Amenity & Guest Experience Improvements
This is therefore a momentous and exciting time in the Fort’s history, and we need a Property Custodian to be an integral part of the management team leading us through this next part of its journey.
Job Purpose
To provide a full Property Custodian service, including maintenance/repairs, cleaning, security and setting up equipment for visits/events.
To ensure the Fort is well maintained, clean and safe when it opens for general public access.
To be a Duty Manager for the site on a rota basis, including evenings and weekends.
Key Duties
Operations
1. To provide general caretaking duties, including emptying of bins, checking all public areas are clear of mess and litter, grounds maintenance, routine sweeping, and general cleaning duties.
2. Locking and unlocking the Fort, including end of day security checks as per rota requirements and to be a key holder for emergency call out.
3. As part of the planned maintenance programme to carry out routine inspections of plant and equipment and rectify or report damages and defects as appropriate.
4. To carry out general maintenance and repairs in accordance with the maintenance programme as directed by the Fort Management. This will include painting and decorating, carpentry, changing light bulbs, basic plumbing and other ‘handyman’ duties within the limitations of the post holder.
5. During the winter close down, undertake planned maintenance works around the site including redecoration and repairs and improvements to the displays and exhibits.
6. To maintain effective links with the approved list of competent contractors who are used for maintenance/repair works which are beyond the capability of the post holder.
7. To carry out daily cleaning of the toilets and other public areas and replenish stocks of consumables as required.
8. To assist with the setting up of equipment required for the school room, café and during special events.
9. To use the site quad bike, lawn mower and other equipment in a safe manner and ensure it is appropriately maintained.
10. To monitor and ensure contractors compliance with the agreed schedules and specifications and where required to work with them to undertake maintenance and reports of plant and equipment.
11. To liaise with Lewes District Council regarding maintenance and repair issues that are their responsibility to ensure prompt rectification.
12. To promote and maintain energy efficiency and environmental conservation awareness by operating the systems in an economic manner, ensuring appropriate temperatures, humidity and lighting levels are maintained.
13. To promote and maintain safe systems of technical and mechanical operation.
14. To assist with the control and supervision of volunteers and provide appropriate training for them to be able to undertake cleaning and minor maintenance duties.
15. To act as Duty Manager for the site on a rota basis, which includes covering Front of House lunchbreaks, assisting in the café and some weekend, evening and late night working.
Health and Safety
1. To exercise all due care in respect of Health and Safety at Work and carry out the requirements of the Trust’s practices and procedures on Health and Safety. This includes compliance with the Electrical at Work Regulations, COSHH and other relevant legislation (e.g. risk assessments, Legionella etc).
2. To act as site Health and Safety rep, liaising with the Fort General Manager and Wave Head of Property, Quality and Compliance and attending group meetings as required.
3. To ensure that all Planned Preventative Maintenance checks and inspections are carried out as per the schedule.
4. To complete and review site Risk Assessments as required to ensure site compliance.
5. To ensure that the Site Operating Procedures and Safe Systems of Work are completed and reviewed accordingly.
6. To ensure new staff and volunteers receive training such as COSHH to enable them to complete their training record and be safe in the workplace.
Other Duties
1. To carry out other duties as required.
2. Although the role is based at Newhaven Fort, there will be a periodic requirement for the postholder to work on tasks and projects at other Wave sites. This will include painting and decorating, carpentry, changing light bulbs, basic plumbing and other ‘handyman’ duties within the limitations of the post holder.
3. To adhere to Wave Leisure Trust’s policies and procedures.
4. To be smartly presented in the Fort uniform at all times.
Person Specification
Work Experience (Essential)
- Experience of carrying out technical and mechanical operations effectively and efficiently with minimum supervision.
- Ability to carry out routine preventative maintenance on plant and equipment.
- Knowledge of and the ability to implement Health and Safety regulations.
- Proven experience in maintaining the fabric of buildings and to carry out minor repairs such as painting, plumbing, fitting lights and carpentry.
- Ability to ensure that contractors are completing works as per agreed schedules and specifications.
- Ability to follow a designated work programme with minimal supervision.
- Proven experience of providing good customer service.
Skills & Abilities (Essential)
- To be physically fit to undertake regular manual and strenuous duties such as rig/de-rig of equipment, cleaning and maintenance.
- Ability to work as part of a small team, be flexible and jump in where needed in different departments.
Education & Training (Essential)
- A full driving license
Education & Training (Desirable)
- COSHH training
- Health and Safety Certificated Training
Other Requirements (Essential)
- Willingness to work weekends, bank holidays and some evenings
Other Requirements (Desirable)
- Prior experience of using quad bike, mower and other work equipment
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: £23,305.30 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- Gym membership
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Wellness programme
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 19/05/2023
