The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

You will be motivated to work outside in all weathers to physically clean and remove extraneous debris from roof spaces and hard standings throughout the University’s estate. You will use access equipment, including MEWPs and cherry pickers, to clean roof spaces and outlets, and be competent in the use of a wide range of equipment to effectively clean a variety of roof and ground-level external spaces. You will be contentious, friendly, and approachable to support and sustain a positive working culture aligned with UOS values. You will support your allocated supervisor by providing effective, wide-ranging solutions to business activities, where your flexibility and diverse skill set will be an asset as you will work across our full portfolio of external spaces and locations. You will carry out planned and reactive works, ensuring your work is completed to a high standard aligned to timescales and SFG20 guidelines.  You will exhibit a proactive, positive and can-do approach to work. You will be a good communicator and be able to form positive working relationships with a wide range of people, both within the university and outside. The role is operational, active and physical, requiring regular working at height, manual handling, use of vibration-causing equipment, driving of TUOS vehicles, and working at height plant and equipment.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Carry out external cleaning and removal of extraneous debris to roof spaces and hard standings across the estate.
• Undertake external inspection of roof spaces and hard standings and report findings.
• Carry out allocated works to the standards identified in SFG20 guidance.
• Monitor and maintain specialist equipment, plant and machinery, including working-at-height equipment, e.g. MEWPS.
• Ensure planned working-at-height activities are aligned with TUOS policy, current legislation, and permits are in place before commencing work.
• Work flexibly across UOS and satellite locations, including Main Campus, ACS and AMRC.
• Travel independently to identified working locations and be able to carry out lone work with minimal supervision.
• Report any site-related health and safety issues to your supervisor as soon as reasonably practicable.
• Check equipment regularly, ensuring it is well maintained, has a valid asset number and that LOLER inspections are in date.
• Comply with current health and safety legislation.
• Identify and proactively report on issues with the building fabric, including roof spaces, gutters and other drainage systems
• Identify challenges with processes and output of the team, proposing solutions where improvements are required and understanding when to escalate issues.
• Provide effective solutions to challenges, resolving work-related problems by providing effective, safe and efficient systems of work.
• Prioritise and organise your workload aligned to the planned and reactive schedule provided by the Landscape Management Team.
• Ensure all mandatory training is carried out in line with IMS compliance objectives.
• Always represent EFM positively and professionally.
• Monitor own quality of work in line with quality and safety standards, reporting findings and providing effective solutions.
• Support the department with internal team audits to ensure compliance with HSWAS 1974, ISO9001 and ISO14001 integrated management systems.
• Support all elements of landscape services activity during peak periods of business activity, including the full requirements of the cold weather plan activity, carrying out hand gritting, and the operation of the tractor and vehicle-mounted equipment.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will consist of an in-person interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 2 weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact admin-engmain@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 27/11/2025 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.