Site Manager

Site Manager

The Observatory School - Changing Children's Lives
Location: The Observatory School, Wirral, working across our school campuses

Not Your Average Site Manager Role!

Buildings, grounds, minibuses, school trips, children and two emus called Bert and Ernie!

We are looking for an enthusiastic, practical and committed Site Manager who wants a role that offers considerably more variety than the traditional school caretaker or facilities position.

At The Observatory School, no two days are quite the same. One morning you could be maintaining our grounds, the next helping prepare a campus for an exciting school activity, driving a minibus on a school trip, or making sure Bert and Ernie, our two resident emus, are happy, healthy and well cared for!

We are a growing, ambitious specialist school supporting children and young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Our facilities team plays a vital role in creating safe, welcoming and inspiring environments in which our children can thrive.

We want someone who understands that being a Site Manager in our school is not simply about looking after buildings. It's about being part of a school community and contributing directly to changing children's lives.

What Will You Be Doing?

Your role will be varied, hands-on and occasionally rather unusual!

You will:

-Take a leading role in the daily care and welfare of our two school emus, Bert and Ernie, including feeding, maintaining their enclosure and ensuring their wellbeing (full training given)

-Undertake general grounds maintenance, gardening and upkeep of our outdoor spaces.

-Carry out routine repairs, maintenance and practical improvements across our school sites.

-Respond to facilities issues and operational needs across our geographically separate campuses.

-Support the wider facilities team to keep our buildings safe, secure, comicence and is willing and eligible to undertake the necessary minibus training and assessments.

-Enjoys working as part of a team but can also manage their own workload.

-Is comfortable working in a school environment alongside children with additional needs.

-Understands the importance of safeguarding, professional boundaries and maintaining a safe school environment.

-Has a positive attitude, a sense of humour and the flexibility needed to respond to the unexpected!

-Experience of working in a school would be helpful but is not essential. We are much more interested in finding the right person with the right attitude, practical skills and commitment.

Why Join The Observatory School?

This is an opportunity to work in a school that is ambitious, innovative and proud to do things differently.

We can offer:

-A varied and interesting role where no two days are the same.

-The opportunity to make a genuine difference to children and young people.

-A supportive, established facilities team working across multiple campuses.

-Flexibility to take annual leave during term time, subject to operational arrangements.

-Opportunities to develop practical skills and undertake relevant training.

-The opportunity to participate in educational visits and activities.

-A school that is continuing to grow, develop and invest in its facilities.

And, of course, the opportunity to become a very important person in the lives of Bert and Ernie, our two emus!

Interested?

If you're the sort of person who enjoys fixing things, improving outdoor spaces, working with people, caring for animals and being part of something meaningful, we would love to hear from you.

You don't need to be an emu expert - but you do need to be willing to become one!

Come and join The Observatory School, where your working day could involve everything from fixing a door handle to helping a young person experience something extraordinary.

The Observatory School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and relevant pre-employment checks.pliant and ready for learning.

-Drive school minibuses, including supporting educational visits, trips and activities, subject to the appropriate licence and training.

-Accompany children and staff on school trips and activities when required.

-Work alongside teaching and support staff, developing positive and appropriate relationships with the young people attending our school.

-Provide occasional split-shift cover for Site Managers at our other campuses, helping with opening, closing and site security when necessary.

-Support the development of our school environments as we continue to invest in our buildings, grounds and facilities.

A School That Does Things Differently

We recognise that good people need flexibility, and we have designed this role accordingly.

Your normal working day will be 8.30am to 4.12pm, including a 30 min unpaid lunch break.

Because The Observatory School operates across multiple campuses with a wider facilities team, we are able to offer something relatively unusual in education:
The opportunity to take annual leave during school term time.

Unlike many traditional school premises roles, you will not necessarily be restricted to taking holidays during school closure periods. With appropriate notice and agreement, leave can be arranged during term time because other members of our facilities team can provide cover.

There will also be occasions when some flexibility is needed from you, including split shifts to cover colleagues on other sites.

Who Are We Looking For?
We are looking for someone who:

-Has practical experience in site management, premises maintenance, groundskeeping or a related field.

-Is confident undertaking minor repairs, maintenance and general facilities work.

-Is proactive, resourceful and able to solve problems independently.

-Enjoys working outdoors as well as maintaining buildings.

-Has a genuine interest in animals and is willing to learn about the specialist care of our emus.

-Holds a full driving licence