General Services Assistant

Job description

Job Title: General Services Assistant

Department Estates and Facilities Directorate

Accommodation and Commercial Services

Grade:Grade 2

Salary range: £24,752-£25,025 pro-rata

Working arrangements: Full-time (35 hours per week)

Potential for 24/7 including evenings, nights and weekends

Five days from seven

Onsite working only

Closing date:

Interview date:

The University

globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community. We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team.

Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion. It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here.

The Role and Department

As a General Services Assistant, you will play a vital role in helping to create a safe, welcoming and well-maintained environment for students, staff, visitors and commercial customers across Durham University. This is a varied and hands-on role where no two days are the same. From supporting the upkeep of our buildings through minor maintenance tasks to providing essential portering services and assisting with site security, you will be part of a team that helps ensure the University operates smoothly every day.

This opportunity is ideal for someone who enjoys practical work, takes pride in delivering excellent customer service and can work both independently and as part of a team. In return, Durham University offers a supportive working environment, excellent employee benefits and opportunities to learn new skills and develop your career. If you are reliable, adaptable and enjoy making a visible difference to the places where people live, work and study, we would love to hear from you.

The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides a number of essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
• You'll receive 27 days annual leave per year, in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year, a total of 39 days.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community.
• Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
• We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply

To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we're looking for:

Essential Criteria

1. Good spoken and written communication skills.

2. Basic digital skills including the ability to use the internet and email.

3. Basic numeracy and literacy skills.

4. Experience of working under minimal direct supervision, as well as in a team.

5. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines.

6. Ability to follow instructions, spoken or written, accurately.

7. Evidence of ability to undertake basic DIY tasks.

8. Good attention to detail.

Desirable Criteria

10. Ability to follow health and safety guidelines.

11. Health and Safety compliance knowledge.

12. Experience of working in a buildings or estates service.

13. Experience of portable appliance testing (PAT).

14. Experience of working in, or with, a higher education institution.

15. Hold a full UK driving licence.

How to apply

We prefer to receive applications online. When you apply you need to submit a CV and/or a statement that tells us your experience and gives examples of how you meet the criteria above and/or submit the application form and include the information within the form.

We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from oure-recruitmentsystem. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

Who to contact for more information

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role or if you are struggling to complete the application process, Stephanie Rolfe, [email protected] or Abbie Bell, [email protected] would be happy to speak to you.

Typical Role Requirements

Here are the kind of activities that you'll be asked to undertake and ways in which you'll be expected to operate.

Service Delivery
• Provide an excellent, responsive service to our students, colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role by carrying out your tasks using the relevant procedures (which we will provide training and documented service procedures).
• Look after yourself and others by following health and safety regulations including correctly wearing any protective clothing or equipment provided e.g. safety shoes, being aware of any hazards and risks and reporting any incidents.
• Learn and apply strict guidelines and risk assessments to ensure safe, secure practices when working in different environments.
• Learn and apply strict procedures and guidelines to ensure compliance with regulations for all activities.
• Carry out DIY tasks that may require specialist skills and may be physically demanding.
• Clean and look after specialist equipment and tools, when necessary.
• Use a range of equipment, tools, resources and digital services, to complete basis maintenance/minor DIY, portering or security duties, where necessary.

Teamwork
• Help and cooperate with the rest of your team.
• Help colleagues and contractors, when required, with other key activities undertaken within your service, for example the security, safety, maintenance and upkeep of buildings, equipment and facilities.
• Help to move, set-up and dismantle any specialist equipment and tools, under supervision.
• Learn new skills and practices from more experienced colleagues.
• Bring any problems to the attention of more senior colleagues.
• Adopt and promote a flexible approach to working, and be willing to cover absences, when given reasonable notice, including evenings and weekends, as business demands.

Communication/Personal
• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
• Respond to routine requests for information.
• Use digital devices and apps (such as email) to communicate with students, colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role.
• The role will require an element of physical manual handling, which can include lifting and transporting equipment and deliveries.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.

Version 07-2026