College Relief Porter

Corpus Christi College
Cambridge

Job Description

Job Title:   College Relief Porter

Department: Porters

Responsible to: Head Porter

Purpose of Job:
Corpus Christi College are recruiting for Casual relief porters to join our professional and
friendly team. You will be required to carry out a wide range of security, safety, administrative
and front of house services. The role of Relief Porter is a critical role in the day to day, and as
the first point of contact, you will need to be able to think quickly and make decisions under
unexpected situations.

You will have a good level of personal awareness and be able to build and maintain good
relationships with all members of the college community ranging from staff, fellows and
students to college visitors.

Although set hours cannot be guaranteed each month it would suit those in a position to be
able to cover shifts as and when the College needed them, in particular night shifts and when
additional staffing is needed for large events. Some requests to work (particularly to cover
sickness absences) may be at short notice. In the case of covering holidays, plenty of notice will
be given.

Duties and responsibilities:

1.  Customer Services
•  Welcoming  all  callers  to  the  Lodge  -  staff,  Fellows,  students,  alumni,  guests,

contractors and tourists.

•  Taking ownership for the management of enquiries, problem solving and provision of
a  consistent  first-class  service  to  all  College  members,  staff  and  visitors  across  the
whole College estate.

•  Working  with  other  College  departments  to  ensure  any  issues  are  dealt  with

effectively.

2.   Security
•  To manage the issue and return of all keys (including the management of mechanical

key sets and programming electronic lock access).

•  To operate the intruder alarm and electronic locking system, secure buildings and to

respond to any intruder alarms.

•  To carry out security patrols of all College premises (including both Old House and

Leckhampton) as required.

•  To monitor the surveillance camera system and maintain records accordingly.
•  To investigate, respond to and manage security incidents relating to the College.
•  To deal efficiently with lost and found property.
•  To liaise with third party security providers and the Police as necessary.

Job Description – Casual Porter 2026

3.  Fire Safety
•  To carry out fire safety patrols of all College premises (including both Old House and

Leckhampton).

•  To investigate any alarms or faults received, including those involving commercial

premises, assisting the Fire Service as required and maintaining records.

•  To carry out checks and tests of fire safety systems including fire extinguishers,

sounders, manual call points, emergency door exit releases, fire warden equipment
and fire doors.

•  Operation of evacuation equipment.
•  Delivery of fire safety briefing to visitors.

       4. Health and Safety

•  All staff must adopt a responsible and proactive attitude towards health and safety

and to comply with any procedures as required by the College in order to ensure the
health and safety of themselves, their colleagues and any other persons that may be
affected by their actions.  They must be prepared to undertake any training provided
in relation to health and safety or which is identified as necessary in relation to their
work.

•  Assist in the implementation of the College Health, Safety and Environmental Policy.
•  Delivery of First Aid, including operation of a defibrillator and maintenance of first

aid equipment.

•  Provide an immediate response to incidents involving student physical and mental

welfare, referring to relevant persons as appropriate.

•  Contribute to the College response to health issues or disease outbreaks e.g., COVID-

19.

5.  Discipline
•  To ensure that all students observe the College Rules, using discretion where

appropriate to manage minor infringements and to report any serious lapses in
discipline to the appropriate authority.

6.  Ceremonial Duties
•  To raise and lower College flags as required.
•  To ring the College bell for Chapel and Dining Hall events.
•  To assist with the organisation and delivery of special events, conferences, feasts

and College ceremonies.

7.  Administration
•  Maintaining electronic log of activities and various databases/registers (including

keys, locks and parcels).

•  To utilise various computer systems for specialist, use and general information.
•  To provide retail services.
Labelling of pigeonholes.
•
•  Administration of room booking system, ensuring that student leases are completed.
•  Provision of guest room check in service.
•  Handling sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate way and running

reports as required.

•  Book taxis as needed for staff and College members.
•  Manage car parking authorisation and cycle registration.
•  Operating telephone service, redirecting calls as required and taking messages.
•  Management of Porters’ email account.

Job Description – Casual Porter 2026

•  Manage incoming and outgoing mail and parcels and distribute as required.
•  To provide mail services to college members including the use of specialist services

e.g. recorded and special delivery.

8.  Other Duties
•  Complete all required College training, attend any staff meetings and any other

reasonable duties as requested.

•  Respond to complaints/enquiries from residents and businesses.
•  Arrange changes in work routines to cover operational requirements, working

overtime when required.

•  College Staff Values
To uphold the College Staff Values of Excellence, Collaboration, Respect and Creativity.

•  Safeguarding
A  commitment  to  safeguarding  our  students  and  staff  and  complying  with  the  College’s
policies related to this.

The above is not an exhaustive list and the post holder may be expected to undertake other
related duties as required by the Head Porter. The list of duties may be subject to revision.

Person Specification

Criteria

Essential  Desirable

Education/Qualifications
•  A minimum of 5 GCSES (or equivalent qualification or relevant

experience)

•
•  First  Aid  qualification  or  willingness  to  undertake  first  aid

training

•  Customer Service qualification
•  Prevent trained
•  Mental Health awareness trained or willingness to undertake the

training.

•  Experience with Microsoft Packages (Outlook, Word, Excel)
Knowledge/Experience
•  Previous  experience  in  a  front-facing  or  customer  service

position.

•  Experience of working in a college or Higher Education setting
IT Skills
•  Ability  and  enthusiasm  to  learn  new  IT  systems  and  enhance

skills.

•  Experience  with  the  following  systems:  Kinetics,  Fire  Alarm
Systems, SALTO, Chubb Intruder Alarm, MS Parcel/Key/Incident

Skills
•  Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
•  A good listener.
•  Excellent telephone manner

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•  Ability to self-motivate and prioritise workload.

•  Ability to remain calm under pressure.
•  Friendly attitude with a demonstrated ability to provide customer care

and service.

•  Ability to work both alone as well as part of a team.
•  Mature attitude with the ability to exercise firm but caring

control of others.

 Personal Qualities
•  Conscientious, hardworking and reliable.
•  Honest and trustworthy.
•  Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with other

team members and departments.

•  A desire to learn.
•  Smart in appearance.
Physical/Special Requirements
•  Due to the age and layout of the college, there are a number of

steep staircases and areas of restricted access

•  Evacuations of buildings may require the operation of evacuation

equipment i.e., chair and mat.

•  Flying the College flags requires the employee to use a ladder.
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•  Ability to ride a bicycle
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•  Holder of a full driving licence
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Issued by Department Head:

Ben Phillips, Head Porter

            Signature Mr B S Phillips

Date: 11/02/26

Accepted and Understood by Postholder

…………………………………….Name

…………………………………….Signature

…………………………………….Date

This job description will be reviewed periodically when additions and amendments may be made.

Job Description – Casual Porter 2026