Skilled Maintenance Operative (Plumbing)
Salary: Grade 5: £30,197 - £35,665
Contract type: Full-time, permanent
Reports to: Maintenance Supervisor
Location: Balliol College, Oxford
Hours: 37.5 per week
Balliol College
Occupying an historic site in central Oxford, 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. Balliol is a constituent college of the University of Oxford and employs some 80 fellows, 50 lecturers and about 170 support staff with Dame Helen Ghosh as its current Master.
The maintenance department is responsible for the effective maintenance and repair of the buildings ranging in date from 1425 to 2020, and as such, the staff need to have knowledge and experience of working with a variety of buildings. The team consist of skilled and unskilled post-holders who undertake a variety of maintenance work including reactive, planned and proactive maintenance.
The College operates over three sites and includes Fellows’ housing and properties owned by the College. In recent years, the College completed a major building project at the Master’s Field creating over 200 new student rooms and a new Pavilion
Purpose of the Post
Balliol College seeks to recruit a dynamic individual to join our busy maintenance team. We are looking for a multi-skilled maintenance operative with experience across the building industry with a good knowledge of all trades but predominantly plumbing. This role is part of a team but will need to thrive on their own and have a general ‘can do’ attitude.
Main Duties
- Respond to reactive requests as assigned by the Buildings Manager / Maintenance Supervisor
- Responsible for daily 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.
- Liaise with external heating and plumbing contractors when their services are required.
- Carry out planned, preventative maintenance activities as assigned
- Ensure that plant rooms are kept clean and tidy at all times
- Be responsible for keeping an appropriate level of stock to ensure that common parts are available when required.
- Participate in the call out rota; one week per month plus provide cover for colleagues during absence.
- Develop a comprehensive awareness of the college’s plumbing and mechanical systems including points of isolation.
- Participate in the college’s water monitoring programme, including legionella inspections and checks
- Bi-annual adjustments to heating systems May/October in the College and all external properties
- Supporting other trades within the department
- Carry out all works in a safe manner compliant with relevant legislation and college policies
Person specification/skills and experience required
Essential:
Qualified minimum NVQ level 2 in a suitable discipline or evidence of time served experience.
Experience / knowledge of multiple trades.
Experience of working in accordance with legionella monitoring systems
Strong time management skills.
Be an excellent team player with a positive attitude.
Be able to work as an individual using one’s own initiative whilst also knowing when to seek advice.
Full clean UK driving license
Desirable:
Gas safe registration (or willing to work towards one)
Experience of working within listed buildings
Experience of working in an institution such as schools, colleges, hotels.
Working knowledge of Building Management Systems (BMS)
Health and Safety qualifications e.g. PASMA, Asbestos Awareness, Abrasive wheels.
Knowledge of renewable energy systems
FURTHER PARTICULARS
Hours and location: The position is offered on a full-time basis (37.5 hours per week, with flexibility to work longer hours during specific periods, and also Bank Holidays if necessary, for which time in lieu can be taken). Normal hours of work will be during office hours (Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.30pm). However, work outside these normal hours, including weekend work, may be required at busy times. Working hours will be mutually agreed between the post-holder and line manager.
Salary: Grade 5 - £30,197 - £35,665
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. The College reserves the right to require staff to work on Bank Holidays during full term, receiving a day in lieu.
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) Further details provided on appointment.
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.
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
Informal enquiries: Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation about the role should in the first instance contact Jodi Thomas, Buildings Manager (jodi.thomas@balliol.ox.ac.uk) to arrange a confidential discussion.
Written applications: Applications should be made by 9.00 am on Friday 7th February online at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/careers.
Interviews: Candidates selected for interview will be notified as soon as possible following the application deadline.
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.
Data Protection
Personal data is processed in accordance with Balliol College’s Privacy Policy which is available at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/privacy-policy.
