Team RAL: Educational Facilities Officer Jobs in Cambridge for Primary and Secondary Schools with Excellent Benefits and Term-Time Working Options

Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Job Type: Full-Time / Permanent / Term-Time Only Options
Salary: £26,000 - £32,000 per annum (Pro-rata for term-time) + Excellent Benefits
Start Date: ASAP / Flexible start for the right candidate
Sector: Education (Primary & Secondary Schools)

Could You Be the Heartbeat of a Cambridge School?

Schools are more than just classrooms and textbooks. They are complex ecosystems where safety, functionality, and environment directly impact a child’s ability to learn. At Team RAL (Recruitment Agency London), we believe that the unsung heroes of education aren't always standing at the whiteboard—sometimes, they are the ones ensuring the heating works, the gates are secure, and the playground is safe.

We are proud to partner with a prestigious multi-academy trust in Cambridge to find a dedicated, proactive, and reliable Educational Facilities Officer. This is not just a caretaker role; it is a position of responsibility that ensures the smooth daily operation of Primary and Secondary educational environments.

If you are looking for Educational Facilities Officer jobs in Cambridge, value stability, and want a career that truly gives back to the community, this is your moment.

The Role: Safety, Compliance, and Community

As an Educational Facilities Officer, you become the custodian of the school estate. You are the person the Headteacher relies on to open the gates in the morning and the person parents trust to keep the site secure.

You will be working across a vibrant mix of historic Victorian school buildings and modern, purpose-built educational blocks within the Cambridge area. Your mission is to maintain a safe, compliant, and welcoming environment for students, staff, and visitors.

Why Cambridge?
Cambridge is world-renowned for education. Working here means being part of a tradition of excellence. The schools we represent are central to their local communities, offering a friendly, supportive atmosphere where every staff member is valued. Plus, with excellent transport links, these roles are easily accessible from surrounding areas.

Internal Link Opportunity: Discover why we are the leaders in education recruitment by reading about Our Education Sector Expertise.

Key Responsibilities: What You’ll Be Doing

This is a varied role that blends practical maintenance skills with health and safety administration. No two days are the same in a school environment!

1. Site Security & Management

• Keyholding: You will be responsible for opening the school in the morning and securing it in the evening.
• Access Control: Managing visitor entry, checking ID badges, and ensuring the perimeter is secure during school hours.
• Alarm Systems: acting as the primary contact for fire and intruder alarm call-outs.

2. Maintenance & Grounds

• Reactive Repairs: Fixing broken door handles, replacing light bulbs, unblocking toilets, and general "handyperson" duties.
• Grounds Maintenance: Ensuring playgrounds are litter-free, paths are gritted during winter, and supervising external landscaping contractors.
• Project Oversight: Helping to coordinate larger works during school holidays (e.g., painting classrooms or installing new equipment).

3. Health & Safety Compliance

• Daily Checks: Conducting visual inspections of the site to identify hazards (e.g., trip hazards, damaged fencing).
• Compliance Logs: keeping accurate records of fire alarm tests, legionella water flushing, and emergency lighting checks.
• Risk Assessments: Assisting the School Business Manager in updating site risk assessments.

4. Logistics & Porterage

• Setting up halls for assemblies, exams, and lunch service.
• Taking delivery of stock and distributing parcels to departments.
• Moving furniture and equipment as required.

Who We Are Looking For

At Team RAL, we recruit for character as much as competence. Working in a school requires patience, a friendly demeanor, and an enhanced sense of responsibility.

Essential Requirements:

• Experience: Previous experience in facilities management, caretaking, or building maintenance. Experience within an education or public sector setting is a huge advantage.
• Skills: Practical DIY skills (carpentry, plumbing basics, painting) are essential. You must be handy with a toolkit.
• Attitude: You must be approachable and professional. You will interact with children, teachers, and parents daily.
• DBS Check: Crucial. All successful applicants must undergo an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. If you already have one on the Update Service, that is a bonus!
• Drivers License: A full UK driving license is often required as you may occasionally move between local school sites.

Desirable Skills:

• IOSH Managing Safely certificate.
• MIDAS Minibus training.
• First Aid at Work qualification.

External Link Opportunity: Understand the importance of safeguarding in schools by visiting the GOV.UK Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.

The Benefits: Why This Job Stands Out

We know that skilled facilities staff are in high demand. Here is why this role with Team RAL offers a superior package compared to standard commercial maintenance jobs.

• Term-Time Options: Unlike corporate jobs that run 52 weeks a year, we have options for Term-Time Only (plus 2 weeks) contracts. This is perfect for parents who want their holidays to align with their children’s.
• Pension Scheme: Access to the generous Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), which offers excellent employer contributions.
• Job Security: The education sector offers stability that the private construction sector often cannot. Schools will always need looking after.
• Training & Development: Our client is committed to upskilling. You will have access to training in Health & Safety, Asbestos Awareness, and Fire Marshal duties.
• Community Impact: You will see the direct result of your hard work in the happy faces of the students who use the facilities you maintain.

Internal Link Opportunity: Browse our full range of available roles on our Job Board to see how we support candidates across the UK.

A Day in the Life: The School Caretaker

07:00 AM: Arrive at the school. Disable the alarms and unlock the main gates. Do a perimeter walk to check for any issues overnight.
07:30 AM: Turn on the heating system to ensure the school is warm before students arrive. Unlock the bike sheds.
08:30 AM: The school day begins. You head to the office to check the maintenance log. A teacher has reported a stuck window in Year 4.
09:30 AM: You fix the window and then head to the hall to set up 200 chairs for a mid-morning assembly.
11:00 AM: Meet with a contractor who is quoting for new LED lighting in the sports hall.
01:00 PM: During lunch, you ensure the dining hall flows smoothly and quickly clean up a spill.
02:30 PM: You perform the weekly fire alarm test and log the results.
03:30 PM: School ends. You supervise the traffic flow at the gates to ensure student safety.
04:00 PM: Start the lock-up procedure for areas not being used for after-school clubs.

It is a role that keeps you active, engaged, and vital to the school’s success.

Why Choose Team RAL?

Recruitment Agency London isn't just a database; we are career architects. We specialize in placing high-quality candidates in roles where they will thrive. When you apply through Team RAL, you get:

• Personal Representation: We advocate for you. We ensure the school understands your worth.
• Interview Prep: We help you prepare for the interview, giving you tips on how to answer questions about safeguarding and site safety.
• Compliance Support: We handle the tricky paperwork, including references and DBS checks, making the process smooth for you.

External Link Opportunity: Check out The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) to see how you can further your career in this sector.

How to Apply

Are you ready to become the backbone of a Cambridge school? We are interviewing immediately.

Step 1: Update your CV. Focus on your practical skills, reliability, and any experience with safety regulations.
Step 2: Click the link below to submit your application directly to Team RAL.
Step 3: Our specialist Education Facilities Consultant will be in touch to discuss the role in more detail.

Conclusion

Finding the right Educational Facilities Officer jobs in Cambridge is about finding a place where you belong. This role offers the rare combination of professional satisfaction, financial stability, and a genuine work-life balance through term-time working options.

At Team RAL, we are dedicated to connecting the best talent with the best schools. If you are a proactive problem solver who cares about the environment in which our future leaders learn, we want to hear from you. Apply today and let's get you started on a rewarding new career path.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does "Term-Time Only" actually mean?

Term-time only means you work during the standard school terms (usually about 39 weeks a year) plus a few weeks during the holidays for deep cleaning or major repairs. Your salary is pro-rated, meaning you get a steady monthly paycheck all year round, even during the weeks you are off on holiday!

2. Do I need a DBS check before I apply?

You don't need to have one in hand to apply, but you must be willing to undergo one. Team RAL will assist you in the application process for an Enhanced DBS check. However, having a clean criminal record is essential for working in schools.

3. Is this a physically demanding job?

Yes, a moderate level of physical fitness is required. You will be on your feet for much of the day, moving furniture (tables/chairs), carrying deliveries, and performing maintenance tasks that involve bending, lifting, and climbing ladders.

4. I have experience in office maintenance. Can I switch to schools?

Absolutely. The core skills—plumbing, carpentry, compliance checks, and security—are exactly the same. The main difference is the environment. You need to be mindful of safeguarding and appropriate behavior around children, which we can guide you on.

5. What are the working hours for this role?

Schools usually operate on a "split shift" or a straight shift basis. A typical straight shift might be 07:00 – 15:30 or 10:00 – 18:30. Some schools operate a split shift (e.g., opening in the morning and returning to lock up in the evening), but the roles we are currently recruiting for in Cambridge are predominantly straight shifts.