Assistant Housekeeper

INTRODUCTION

The Women’s College is a leading academic residential college for women in Australia. Established in 1892, it is the first college of its kind in Australia and is situated within the University of Sydney. The College enjoys an outstanding reputation combined with a proud tradition of women’s achievements. Throughout the year the College hosts external events and over the university summer break is used for conference accommodation.

The Assistant Housekeeper holds a full-time position at the College and works under the direction of the Executive Housekeeper to ensure all aspects of the College residential and internal common spaces are maintained to an excellent standard, ensuring the College maintains its reputation for high quality presentation. The Assistant Housekeeper liaises closely with all colleagues, reporting to the Executive Housekeeper, or in her absence to the Principal  

The appointment of the Assistant Housekeeper will be at the discretion of the Principal. The time commitment would be three (3) days per week until 30 June 2024 then fulltime from 1 July 2024.

THE POSITION

CLEANING, PRESENTATION & SUPPLIES

The Assistant Housekeeper will work with the Executive Housekeeper to:

• Identify and initiate housekeeping tasks by checking and following up with the contract supervisor on daily, weekly and monthly tasks
• Plan and organise requirements for flowers and table cloths for both internal and external functions, and follow-up after functions
• Maintain College indoor plants and floral arrangements
• Work closely with the Conference & Events Manager and Facilities staff on function set-ups, reporting on repair/s, etc.
• Monitor and co-ordinate with the College’s laundry service and table cloth supplier, ensuring efficiencies and frequency especially during the conference period
• Weekly ordering of bedlinen during semester time and conference periods; co-ordinate collection of dirty linen
• Monitor movement and stock level of hand towel paper, toilet rolls, some cleaning materials, chemicals for accommodation areas, and request purchases as required
• Interview students for weekend cleaning roles and prepare rosters. Follow–up with student supervisor on weekend requirements
• Organise and follow-up with annual cleaning and re-organising of all storage areas
• To check annually on the conditions of room furnishing and prepare report/s for replacements and to organise and follow-up on, for example: The Carpet repairs list and the Mattress list.
• Prepare annual housekeeping expenses’ budget in association with the Business Manager
• Organise extra staffing for the conference period and monitor cost—especially re weekends
• Plan, organise and follow–up the spring cleaning program for the College and work closely with the Facilities Manager, Conference & Events Manager and Reception
• Train the contract supervisor on how to implement and follow-up with the spring cleaning program and ensure every task is completed within the designated time frame
• Spot check rooms for quality control during the students’ semesters and the conference period
• Follow-up on complaint/s and requests—both during Semester and conference periods
• Work closely with the Conference & Events Manager and Reception on room movements, respond to appropriate feedback and address any housekeeping concerns
• Work closely with Facilities Manager on the annual refurbishing project/s and on hand over times
• Follow-up with the Dean of Students on matters regarding students and accommodation/common rooms/bathrooms/cleaning 

GENERAL

When the Executive Housekeeper is unavailable:

• Provide reports as required to the Principal, Business Manager and Contract Cleaning Manager on the effectiveness of the cleaning services to the College
• Attend and actively contribute to relevant staff meetings
• Other duties as required by the Principal

PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

• be an exemplary professional role model for staff and students
• work collaboratively and model a positive approach to change
• demonstrate an understanding of residential contexts, and specifically that of the University of Sydney
• attend College activities as appropriate
• initiate and access appropriate skill/knowledge development for self-improvement

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• relevant qualifications and/or experience, ideally in the hospitality industry e.g. hotels, room division
• professional training relevant to the role desirable
• high-level administrative and organisational skills
• willingness to understand relevant policies and procedures for this position
• outstanding professional presentation and manner
• excellent interpersonal communication skills
• ability to liaise professionally with staff, councillors, students, parents, contractors and external clients
• demonstrated experience in dealing appropriately with confidential and sensitive information
• display effective problem-solving techniques
• demonstrated use of initiative and the ability to anticipate the needs of the College
• proven ability to work collaboratively and energetically within a dynamic context

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. The final date to make application is 21 March 2024.