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⚡ Source: ReedRef: 56868269

Caretaker

Focus Resourcing·West Berkshire, South East·Posted 3 weeks ago
🟢 Permanent💰 £26-28k/year
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Job description

Original text imported from Reed

We are seeking an experienced Caretaker to join a committed estates team on a full time, permanent basis to assist with a wide range of maintenance tasks and respond to emergency requests including site security.

  • Location: Thatcham
  • Salary: £26,000 - £27,500
  • Benefits: Generous pension scheme, free meals, 25 days holiday, employee assistance programme

Working Hours are

Option 1

1:30pm - 9pm

Option 2

Week 1 - 1.30pm - 9pm

Week 2 10.30am - 6pm

As the Caretaker, you will be responsible for:

  • Carrying out any minor works jobs
  • Open and close the school as required
  • Complete swimming pool testing on a daily basis
  • Respond to emergency out-of-hours calls
  • Acting as a Fire Officer
  • Carrying out site security checks, including perimeter walks, locking of all windows / doors, and drawing of blinds
  • Monitoring CCTV
  • Ensuring health and safety standards are maintained
  • Assisting with furniture moves, event set ups, parking control, and emergency lighting testing
  • To attend Health and Safety and First Aid training as directed
  • To act as the out-of-hours security and emergency maintenance operative.

The successful Caretaker will have the following related skills / experience:

  • Experience within a maintenance or a caretaker role is essential
  • Must hold a current driving licence
  • Reliable with a professional work ethic
  • Ability to meet health and safety requirements
  • Good communication skills
  • Flexible approach to working hours including on call cover and night shifts
  • Ability to work unsupervised and on initiative
  • Demonstrate good general maintenance experience and knowledge of maintenance techniques



SpeedCV AI

Key skills

AI-extracted from the job advert

Must-have skills
Caretaker experienceCurrent driving licenceSite security proceduresMaintenance techniquesHealth and safety compliance
Nice-to-have
Swimming pool maintenanceCCTV systemsFire safety trainingFirst aid certificationEmergency lighting systems
Soft skills
ReliabilityCommunicationFlexibilityInitiativeProfessional work ethicAutonomy
SpeedCV AI

Application advice

5 AI-generated recommendations to maximise your chances.

1

🔧 Highlight your maintenance experience prominently as the advert specifically requires 'experience within a maintenance or caretaker role is essential'

2

🚗 Mention your current driving licence early in your CV as this is listed as a must-have requirement

3

🏊 Include any swimming pool maintenance or water testing experience as daily pool testing is a key responsibility

4

🔒 Emphasise security-related experience including CCTV, perimeter checks, or emergency response as site security is central to the role

5

⏰ Demonstrate your flexibility with working hours and on-call availability as the role requires split shifts and emergency cover

NEW
AI SpeedCV

Suggested CV bullets

3 bullets our AI drafted for this specific advert, mirroring its ATS keywords.

How to tailor your CV

Add these 3 bullets under your most recent experience:

  • Managed daily swimming pool testing and chemical balancing for 450-pupil school, maintaining 100% compliance with health regulations over 18 months
  • Conducted nightly perimeter security walks covering 12-acre site, monitoring CCTV systems and securing 45 access points across main building and outbuildings
  • Responded to 23 out-of-hours emergency calls in 2023, resolving heating failures and security breaches within average 45-minute response time

Free to copy — tailoring requires a 30-sec CV upload.

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AI cover letter

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Letter preview — tailored to Focus Resourcing

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to apply for the Caretaker position with Focus Resourcing in Thatcham. My extensive maintenance experience and security background make me well-suited for this role, particularly the daily swimming pool testing responsibilities and emergency out-of-hours response duties that are central to the position.

My background in premises maintenance and security operations has equipped me with the technical skills and reliability needed to excel in this role. I understand the importance of maintaining health and safety standards whilst managing the flexible working patterns required.

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SpeedCV AI

Interview questions

10 questions generated from this advert.

Technical

  • How would you approach daily swimming pool testing and what parameters would you check?
  • What steps would you take during a perimeter security walk?
  • How do you test emergency lighting systems?
  • What CCTV monitoring procedures have you used in previous roles?
  • Describe your experience with basic maintenance techniques and tools

Behavioural

  • Tell me about a time you had to respond to an emergency out-of-hours call
  • Describe a situation where you had to work unsupervised for an extended period
  • Give an example of when you had to be flexible with your working hours
  • Tell me about a time you identified a health and safety issue and how you handled it
  • Describe a situation where you had to use your initiative to solve a maintenance problem
SpeedCV AINEW

STAR answer examples

Model answers using the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework. Adapt to your own experience.

1Question

Tell me about a time you had to respond to an emergency out-of-hours call

Last winter, I received an emergency call at 11pm about a burst pipe in the school's main corridor. I arrived within 30 minutes and immediately located the stopcock to isolate the water supply, preventing flooding of the IT suite below. I then contacted the emergency plumber and remained on-site until 2am to ensure the temporary repair was secure. The next morning, I coordinated with the head teacher to arrange alternative classroom access while permanent repairs were completed. My quick response saved the school approximately £8,000 in potential equipment damage and avoided disruption to 200 pupils' lessons the following day.
2Question

Describe a situation where you had to use your initiative to solve a maintenance problem

During a weekend event, the main hall's heating system failed with 150 parents due to arrive for a school performance in 3 hours. The usual contractor was unavailable, so I diagnosed the issue as a faulty thermostat sensor. Using my maintenance knowledge, I temporarily bypassed the sensor and manually controlled the system, bringing the temperature from 8°C to 18°C before guests arrived. I documented the temporary fix and ensured the proper repair was scheduled for Monday. The event proceeded successfully, and the head teacher praised my problem-solving approach, which saved the school from cancelling and refunding £2,400 in ticket sales.

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