Site Manager - The Forum Centre

The Forum Centre - Site Manager with Caretaking Duties (part-time) 

The Forum Centre is looking to appoint an enthusiastic and committed part-time Site Manager with Caretaking Duties to provide a safe, secure and visually attractive environment for our school community. 

As Site Manager, you will need to have an understanding of building maintenance schedules, health and safety as well as being able to advise the Headteacher and senior staff regarding issues affecting the school site and potential development areas and opportunities.  In addition, you will need to be physically fit and competent to carry out a range of duties from opening / locking up, general site maintenance, porterage, emergency repairs etc.

We are looking for someone who is helpful, proactive, willing to meet the varied needs of the school, and has a variety of practical skills to support the general upkeep, operation and site safety in our school.  The local authority maintains overall responsibility for the premises, however you will need to liaise with numerous contractors and stakeholders who support the school, therefore the ability to build good relationships with others is extremely important.

The Forum Centre (Blandford site), is a small school (60 students) and successful Pupil Referral Unit (PRU).  You would be joining a small team of dedicated staff who work closely together, and recognise the uniqueness of each and every learner, ensuring they have access to opportunities that enable them to successfully take their next steps in life.  Every member of staff at The Forum Centre wants to make a difference.

The role is for up to 25 hours per week over 5 days, generally working a split shift in order to meet the business needs of the school.  Applicants would need to have a measure of adaptability and there could be flexibility with the hours to fit around personal commitments. This will be a 52 week contract with 27 days annual leave entitlement, rising to 32 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays.  A maximum of 5 days annual leave can be accommodated during term time, however due to the nature of the establishment, other leave of absence must be taken during the school holidays (all by negotiation with Headteacher).

This is a varied role and training will be available for the right candidate.  Duties will include, but not limited to:

• Being responsible for the security of the site as Principal Keyholder including responding to out of hours emergency call outs.
• Ensuring the site is opened at the beginning of the day and secured at the end of the day.
• Health and Safety responsibilities for the site - a good understanding of health and safety matters and an ability to identify and reduce risks.
• Advising the Headteacher and senior staff regarding issues affecting the school site and potential development areas and opportunities.
• Carrying out statutory checks and testing (eg fire alarms, emergency lighting, water checks etc), maintaining records and responding to issues as appropriate.
• Being proactive in identifying, reporting and rectifying defects.
• Ensuring the grounds and buildings are clean and hazard free. (Contracted cleaners for day to day cleaning)
• General porterage including distributing deliveries, moving furniture and setting up rooms.
• Ordering and refilling hygiene supplies.
• Dealing with emergency spillages, floods and drain blockages.
• Seasonal weather duties (eg gritting of paths / car park, clearing of snow, wind debris, gutters, drains etc)
• Form productive working relationships with contractors, other stakeholders and colleagues.
• Promote and encourage a strong Health and Safety culture.

This post could suit someone with who is looking to reduce working hours, or semi-retired and has either site management or professional trade experience, or a business background with good DIY skills. 

The closing date for receipt of applications is Midnight on Monday 9th December 2024.

If you think this post could be for you then come and visit us – see what we’re about and how we work, or give us call to discuss the post further.

Please contact Sandra de Montagnac, Heads PA in the first instance, Tel; 01258 455202 or email: [email protected].

Further details about The Forum Centre, including job description and person specification, are included in the attached Information for Applicants. Please note that this is a Dorset Council generic job description and some aspects may not be relevant for this post and will be discussed during the interview process. 

The Forum Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; this is a commitment which we expect all staff and volunteers to share.  The successful candidate will be required to have a Disclosure & Barring Service check in line with the Governments safer recruitment guidelines.  We value the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from all sectors of the community. 

Please ensure that your application is completed in full, listing and detailing all qualifications from secondary school up to the most recent qualifications gained and a full employment history is stated from school until present day.

The Forum Centre will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the search and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.