Housekeeper

Housekeeper/cleaner of Euphrasie Barbier Convent (EBC) and other premises on the Sturry site in Kent

Purpose of the role:  The sisters of our Lady of the Missions are looking for an experienced person to become their Housekeeper to ensure the smooth running of their community house based in Sturry, Kent, for the safety and well-being of the community of Religious sisters who reside there.

To oversee and undertake cleaning and housekeeping duties in the community house and other premises on the site in Sturry, including the chapel and archives, and to supervise the cooks and a cleaner who is employed for 15 hours per week.

Main duties and responsibilities:

·         To work in conjunction with housekeeping staff and cooks in order to create a continuous supportive and effective team for the benefit of sisters, providing cover for staff as necessary

·         To provide a presence in the house and to be the contact person for external visitors

·         To answer the door and phone as appropriate to all external callers asking for identity as appropriate

·         To look after visitors, welcoming them, providing refreshments, and to attend to all of those who call during the hours while on duty

·         To undertake weekly online food ordering and shopping for food items required by the sisters during the week which may have been missed from the weekly online food order

·         To be the contact with outside agencies if any appliances need servicing or replacing

·         To ensure that appliances are maintained and cleaned regularly and to enter into service contracts after having discussed this with the finance officer on site

·         To ensure that any regular maintenance required to fulfil health and safety requirements is carried out routinely and all records are kept

·         To liaise with the care manager in St Anne’s care home regarding any maintenance needs that can be undertaken by the on-site maintenance officer who works mainly for the care home

·         To help sisters who request assistance with making and changing their beds and helping them with personal washing of clothes and bed linen (This can be done in conjunction with the cleaner)

·         To ensure that all that all bins are emptied and cleaned by housekeeping staff and as much as possible is recycled

·         To supervise and the cooks who are employed and help them if there is a large group for dinner (such as for funerals or jubilee celebrations), providing cover in their absence

·         To ensure that spare bedrooms are cleaned and prepared when visitors are expected, and that they are cleaned and maintained regularly

·         To facilitate any sisters’ request for help with travel to, or attendance at, medical appointments and accompany as required

·         To ensure cars are maintained including MOT requirements and liaise with the Finance Officer and Maintenance Operative.

·         To work within the budget agreed by the Sisters and Finance Office and ensure all records and receipts are kept.

The main essentials of this job are described here.  It is a guide to the standards required and outlines the most important duties presently needed which may vary from time to time.

Person Specification:

·         The person will need to be a confident driver with a full clean driving license.

·         Full DBS clearance will be needed

·         The person needs to be able to work flexibly in order to be responsible for housekeeping but also undertake these duties themselves and provide cover for other staff to ensure the service is continuous.

·         Experience of having worked in an elderly care setting or hospitality environment would be beneficial.

·         Experience of dealing with health and safety and maintenance contracts would also be beneficial.

·         Experience of keeping accurate records