Further Particulars

Further Particulars

This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the information you will need to provide with the application.

1.  Role details

Vacancy reference: 8105
Job title: Porter/Driver
Reports to: Transport & Portering Manager
Salary: £17,827 - £19,972
Terms and conditions: S & C
Grade: GR4
Duration of post: Permanent
Working hours: 37
Location: Estates, Operations, Transport & Portering
Closing date: 12/07/12
Type of application form accepted: Full application and covering letter
Your covering letter should address how your experience and personal qualities address the job role. Without this document the panel will not be able to shortlist you
Number of referees required: 2
Unit recruitment contact: Natasha Read

2. Summary of duties

1.  Brief Outline of Job

·  / To undertake general Portering duties
·  / To drive University vehicles as required
·  / To undertake cleaning duties as required
·  / Flexibility with overtime when requested

2. Qualifications & Experience Required

·  / Please refer to attached personal specification

3.  Financial Responsibility

·  / No budgetary responsibility, however responsible for vehicles and equipment whilst on university business.

4.  Supervisory Responsibility

·  / None

5.  Main Duties to include:

Portering

·  / Sets up meeting rooms, common room and lecture theatres and other venues, including cleaning, as required.
·  / Delivers print/stationery/equipment on campus and to regional centres/off-site venues.
·  / Collects and disposes of refuse including, on occasions, hazardous waste.
·  / Removal of confidential waste paper to recycling containers on site.
·  / Transports pallets and boxes around campus and to off-site locations.
·  / Deliver and set up office furniture around campus and to off-site locations

Driving

·  / Loads and unloads vehicles, either manually or using a forklift truck (where trained).
·  / Drives University cars, vans and lorries (up to 7½ ton) as required.
·  / Delivers goods and equipment around campus and to off-site venues.
·  / Transports visitors and staff using University minibus (PCV) as required.
·  / Carries out routine vehicle checks and reports faults to the Transport & Portering Manager.
·  / Drives vehicles to and from vehicle dealerships for maintenance/repairs.
·  / Cleaning and checking of vehicles.

Other

·  / Occasional and or irregular duties carried out from time to time
·  / Delivery of goods and equipment to summer school locations which may involve overnight stays.
·  / Assists in setting up and clearing equipment for major University events, e.g. Open Day, Retired Staff Day.
·  / Cleans toilets, bars and other public areas as required.
·  / By negotiation with the post-holder, provides occasional telephone cover for Portering office during absence of office staff. Also by negotiation and where trained, will retrieve job tickets from the Planon system and allocate to Porters, working to established guidelines and risk assessments.
·  / Any similar or related duties which may be required by the Director of Estates.
·  / Committed to equal opportunities policies.

Exceptional Duties

Exceptional duties only carried out when specifically requested and to assist in other areas.

Any other duties as directed by the Director of Estates.

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January 2010

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3. Person specification

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications & Experience
Basic standard of education.
Full UK Driving Licence (Non-HGV Class C1 and PCV Class D1)
Functional Capabilities
·  Knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety issues.
·  Commercial driving experience
·  Understanding of Drivers Hours and Tachograph Regulations
·  Ability to work as part of a team
·  Ability to work without direct supervision
·  Strong customer focused approach
·  Good interpersonal skills
·  Ability to undertake manual handling duties.
·  Willingness to work additional hours in the evenings and weekends as required
·  Willingness to drive University vehicles to regional centres in the UK and Europe, with overnight stays, for summer school Purposes.
Core Capabilities
Delivering Customer Satisfaction
You demonstrate openness and genuine interest by:
·  having a positive approach to customer care, with the ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels in order to build strong relationships to improve customer service standards.
·  working flexibly and adapting to changes in priority to meet the needs of our customers and providing an effective service to the Open University.
·  Interacting with staff and being able to demonstrate your communication skills when carrying out tasks that require explanation / Qualifications & Experience
Forklift Truck Licence
Trained in Lifting & Manual Handling
Experience of working in a similar role in a service related field.
Essential / Desirable
Delivering Innovation and Change
You show you are open to change by:
·  Objectively evaluating the potential benefits of change
You find new ways of doing things by:
·  Generating new approaches to moving things on. / Core Capabilities
Working Collaboratively
You cooperate willingly by:
·  working as part of a team who support each other within the working environment.
·  Active listening and discussion in advance to gain support
·  providing constructive feedback
Delivering Results
You take personal responsibility for getting things done by:
Prioritising work in order to get things done

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4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working

See Person Specification

5. About the unit/department

Estates is part of the Secretary’s Office and is responsible for the overall management and development of the University’s premises, including the planning and growth of the University buildings and grounds, property maintenance, minor works and house services. Estates comprises of approximately 130 staff organised into five major operational sections:
·  Leadership
·  Operations
·  Infrastructure
·  Property, Regions & Finance

THE LEADERSHIP TEAM

The Leadership Team comprises the Director of Estates and four Heads of Function, and is responsible for providing strategic direction and delivery.

THE OPERATIONS GROUP

The Operations Group is responsible for the front line customer service activities of the Division. It encompasses events & catering, security, transport & portering, cleaning, and the Estates Liaison Line (a call centre facility for estates-related queries). This Group also has divisional responsibility for staffing strategy, general administration, contract administration, recruitment, training, human resources functions and The OU Club.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE GROUP
The Infrastructure Group is responsible for the upkeep of the entire University estate, comprising 169,000m.sq of office and laboratory space in 102 buildings at Walton Hall and throughout the UK. It undertakes H&S, electrical, mechanical, grounds and fabric maintenance. The group is also responsible for the development, planning, control and management of capital and major building projects and refurbishments, minor works projects and IT.
THE PROPERTY, REGIONS & FINANCE GROUP
The Property, Regions and Finance Group provide estate management and financial advice for the whole University estate covering Walton Hall, Regional offices, warehouses and other properties. It encompasses: finance and budget administration. This group is also responsible for strategic accommodation planning for the University as a whole. Activities include: property acquisition and disposal, rent reviews, leasing renewals, town and country planning, rating and asset valuation

6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process

If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please contact Natasha Read on 653210 or email
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Natasha Read on 653210 or email

7. The application process and where to send completed applications

Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: 5pm on the 12/07/12
Post it to:
Name/Job title: Natasha Read, Recruitment & Development Coordinator
Department/Unit: Estates, Staff Support
Address: Building 12, 1st Floor
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
Post Code: MK7 6AA
Or e-mail your application to: Mailto:

8. Selection process and date of interview

The interview panel will be chaired by David Lewis, Transport & Portering Manager. The other members of the interview panel will be John Wilcox, Portering Chargehand and Charlotte Boughton, Divisional Adminstrator. The interviews will take place on 19/07/12
The selection process for this post will include shortlisting of all applications received followed by interviews for those successfully shortlisted.
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to shortlisted candidates.
Applications received after the closing data will not be accepted.

Human Resources HRG158 Issue 2

January 2010

Page 7 of 7