Caretaker Career at Norwich City Council - LGPS in Columbus
Career & Market Insight
This Caretaker role at Norwich City Council offers stable public-sector employment with a clear set of responsibilities and a defined benefits framework. Here is what career-minded candidates should consider:
Stability & Culture: Local government roles are known for strong job security, structured HR policies, and genuine commitment to equal opportunities. The council's Living Wage accreditation signals ethical employer practices. The team is described as "well established," suggesting low turnover and a supportive environment.
Skills Developed:
- BICSc-standard cleaning and industrial equipment operation — transferable across facilities management.
- COSHH compliance and Health & Safety practice — increasingly valued in all built-environment roles.
- Tenant relations and conflict resolution — useful for housing officer progression.
- Basic facilities/building maintenance — a gateway to trade apprenticeships or facilities management qualifications.
Career Progression: This role can serve as a stepping stone into senior caretaking, estates management, or neighbourhood services coordination within the council. The emphasis on self-motivation and working under minimum supervision suggests the council values candidates who can grow into more autonomous roles.
Work-Life Balance: The role does require occasional evening meetings, which is a trade-off to note. However, generous holiday entitlement (26–33 days) and LGPS pension membership are well above private-sector averages for similar roles.
Green Flag: Full COSHH training is provided, signalling investment in employee development. Watch out for: No salary is listed — clarify pay grade at application stage.
We are recruiting for a Caretaker to join our Caretaking team across a Housing Stock. The successful candidate will join a well-established team to ensure the security, safety, cleanliness, maintenance, repair, and monitoring of communal areas, along with assisting tenants by offering guidance, assistance, and advice.
Responsibilities- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with tenants and other members of the public, including advising tenants on use of equipment and services provided.
- Promote and implement the Council's equal opportunities policies and practices in relation to employment and services.
- Attendance at evening and day meetings when requested.
- Contribute to the development of self and others within the role, including attending relevant training courses and participating in team meetings.
- Contribute to the maintenance of a healthy, safe, and secure environment including carrying out estate inspections and completing minor repair and maintenance in communal areas.
- Carry out cleaning duties to the standard set down by the British Industrial Cleaning Science (BICS).
- Steam clean communal areas.
- Maintain Health and Safety working practices, complying with all of the Council's Health and Safety policies and procedures.
- This position is very much self-motivated and the post holder will work under minimum supervision.
- Maintain security of premises and contents within the area of responsibility.
- Carry out Fob Programming.
- Record all incidents and emergencies in the diary and on a computer system.
- Monitor and record maintenance and cleaning work undertaken by contractors on site.
- Maintain computer records and input details into records.
- Update databases and complete records of incidents.
- Carry out and complete manual tasks.
- Follow policies and procedures.
- Complete tasks to a high standard.
- Contribute to the work of the Neighbourhood Service Team.
- Carry out duties from a step ladder/steps.
- Communicate with tenants verbally.
- Numeracy and literacy skills.
- Ability to build effective working relationships with managers, staff, and residents.
- Able to enthuse and motivate people.
- Adaptable and flexible approach to meet service demands.
- Attend meetings outside of normal hours.
- Able to build trust and confidence.
- Industrial grade cleaning duties.
- Ability to work on own initiative and as a team player.
- Knowledge of building maintenance.
- Knowledge and experience of caretaking duties.
- Ability to offer excellent customer service.
- Interpersonal skills required to resolve resident issues.
- Basic computer skills.
- Working with steam cleaners.
- High and low speed polishers, wet and dry VAX.
- Full driving licence required.
- British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) qualification.
- Knowledge of COSHH (full training provided).
Our council is full of people who have chosen to work in local government because they want to help others and make a difference to their lives or the environment in which local people live.
To find out more about working and living in Norwich, visit Home | Work in Norwich.
The council has a long and proud history of being a council that is keen to push the boundaries of what a district can achieve. To find out more about what it is like to work in local government, visit Working in local government - #LocalGov Careers - Youth Employment UK.
Norwich City Council offers the opportunity to work with great people who are passionate about promoting Norwich and the services the council provides. We also offer good career prospects with competitive rates of pay, generous holidays, and working arrangements to suit all lifestyles.
Equal Opportunities PolicyThe council is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment, in recruitment, and the services we provide. Applications are considered on the basis of their suitability for the post regardless of sex, gender reassignment, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status, domestic responsibilities, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. People with disabilities are guaranteed an interview provided they are suitably qualified and/or experienced.
Candidates will be considered for shortlisting on the factual information on their application form. Therefore, it is important to give as much detail as possible, including information about experience gained outside employment.
Benefits- All employees are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Paid holiday entitlement starts at 26 days per annum and increases with length of service to a maximum of 33 days per annum (pro rata for part-time employees).
- In addition to the statutory public holidays, an additional statutory day's leave is granted at Christmas.
- Norwich City Council supports its employees through the provision of occupational health and employee assistance support.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this caretaker role remote or can it be done from home?
What qualifications are required to apply?
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What pension scheme does Norwich City Council offer?
Will I need to work evenings in this role?
