Plumber

Salary:  £28,759-£33,966 plus discretionary points up to £37,099 (Grade 5) per annum
Contract Type: Full-time, permanent
Location: Balliol College, Oxford
Department:  Maintenance
Responsible to:   Buildings Manager
Hours:  37.5 hours per week. Whilst the normal working hours are 8.00 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday, flexibility will be required.
Start Date: As soon as possible

Balliol College

Balliol was founded in 1263 and is now one of the larger Oxford colleges, with about 400 undergraduates and a similar number of graduates in residence at any one time. The College takes academic work very seriously, but visitors are generally struck by the informal and friendly feel of the place. The College occupies a historic site in the middle of Oxford.

Further information about the College is available at www.balliol.ox.ac.uk.  

Job Description

The College Plumber/ Heating engineer is responsible for the running of all of the College’s, plumbing and heating systems, in which capacity he will be required to oversee the efficient upkeep and maintenance of all mechanical equipment and associated pipe work. They will report directly to the Buildings Manager and is expected to regularly update the Buildings Manager to ensure collectively that all equipment and systems are appropriately maintained and replaced as required. They will work closely with the other members of the department and will be expected to become an active member of the Maintenance Team.

Job Description: Specific duties will include:

• Responsible for weekly inspections of all mechanical plant rooms to appraise them for any potential faults and breakdowns. Undertake the necessary appropriate action to rectify faults and breakdowns.
• Ensure that plant rooms are kept clean and that all appropriate safety signage is displayed.
• Responsibility for the installation and replacement of plumbing systems and responding immediately to all reports of failures and faults as required in College and all external properties. .
• Routine maintenance to all valves and pumps.
• Member of the Call out Team, one week per month plus provide cover for colleagues during absence. Liaise and support other members of the Call Out Team for any plumbing and heating failures, responding personally as required at all times.
• Liaison with external contractors to provide information, support and monitoring during new plumbing and heating installation programmes.
• Coordinating annual gas service and heating contracts with external contractors and maintaining and checking statutory certification and being responsible for signing for all ‘Landlord Certificates’.
• Responsibility for calling out and overseeing Drainage Contractors when required to rectify faults with the drainage systems and ensure satisfactory completion of any work undertaken.
• To be Gas Safe. (Fees will be paid by College).
• Oversee and ensure efficient management of ‘Hot Works Permit’ system to the post holder and external contractors.
• Responsible for liaising with Water Treatment (legionella control) Contractors. Deal with their report to ensure that correct water temperatures are maintained. Deal with all repairs and replacement of all faulty service valves in the College and all external properties.
• Responsible for the twice daily check of the College maintenance register held in the Lodge and respond to any emergency repairs as required.
• Availability for daily bank run (this service is not cost effective and is under review)
• Responsible for purchase of mechanical stock, and ensure effective cost control.
• Inspection and maintenance of rainwater goods.
• In the absence of Buildings Manager  oversee workshop activity.
• Bi-annual adjustments to heating systems May/October in the College and all external properties

The above list is not exhaustive, and other areas of plumbing and heating activity may reasonably be requested by the Buildings Manager within the scope of the post.

Skills required

A qualified and experienced Plumber is required. In addition, a good practical knowledge and ability to assist with general maintenance is essential. A willingness to be flexible and adaptable. A team player.

FURTHER PARTICULARS

Holiday:  The postholder will receive paid leave entitlement of 30 working days (in addition to Bank Holidays) during a complete holiday year, five of which are taken around Christmas and New Year.  

Probation and notice: The probationary period will be twelve months, during which time the length of notice is one month on either side, given in writing.  The length of notice thereafter will be three months on either side, given in writing.

Pension: The post holder would be eligible to join the Oxford University Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS)

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Staff meals: a free two-course lunch is available in the Hall, when the kitchens are open.

Travel: benefits include interest-free loans enabling the purchase of bus passes, annual rail season tickets to Oxford, and discounted bicycles and accessories.

Healthcare: benefits include free eye tests, free flu jabs, free use of the College’s onsite gym and the University swimming pool, and preferential rates for other University sports facilities.

University Club: staff are eligible for free membership of the University Club, which offers food, drink and accommodation in an exclusive space for staff, postgraduates and alumni.

Learning and personal development: resources are available from the University in addition to training organised by the College and Development Office

Visitor access: staff benefit from free visitor access to the 45 colleges and halls of the University and the University’s Libraries, Botanic Gardens, Arboretum and Museums.

Employee discounts: available at local and national retailers and online services using exclusive discount codes for University staff and with a TOTUM (formerly NUS) card.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Right to Work: Shortlisted candidates will be expected to supply original documentation proving that they have the right to work in the United Kingdom (UK). 

Equal Opportunities: Balliol College is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants are asked to complete a separate confidential Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to help us fulfil our duties in this regard. Applicants are encouraged to ask if they require reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process.