Band 4 - Mechanical Craftsperson, Estates

The Methodist Church in Britain; England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High cost area allowance

Recruitment and retention payment

On-call payment

Flexible working

Job summary

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking an Estates mechanical craftsperson to diagnose and repair complex mechanical plant, steam systems, pipework and water hygiene equipment.

You will undertake statutory testing, planned maintenance and respond to emergency recalls on a 1-in-9 on-call rota. The role covers on-site work with a focus on safety and compliance, with opportunities for additional site-specific training.

Qualifications

• Recognised time‑served apprenticeship or City & Guilds in mechanical engineering or plumbing, or BTEC ONC in engineering.
• NVQ level 3 or above (the job description also cites NVQ2).

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair faults on complex mechanical services, plant and equipment.
• Respond to emergency recalls and carry out on-call duties out of normal hours.
• Monitor temperatures and repair thermostatic mixing valves, tanks and calorifiers to meet Legionella policy.
• Carry out installation repairs and planned maintenance on heating, compressors, motors, pumps, heat recovery, ventilation and controls.
• Carry out statutory inspections and testing on mechanical services and plant, and complete the documentation.
• Work on steam raising plant, including distribution and condensate return systems.
• Manufacture, assemble, erect and install new plumbing work.
• Fabricate and repair iron pipework by screwing or welding.
• Carry out electrical isolations of pumps and motors as instructed, once assessed as competent.
• Repair lifts, including emergency evacuation of people in line with health and safety requirements.
• Install heavy engineering plant using lifting equipment in line with Trust policies.
• Undertake non-complex fault finding on other trades' work.

Skills

Mechanical services knowledge

Independent work

On-call readiness

Education

Time-served apprenticeship or City & Guilds in mechanical engineering or plumbing / BTEC ONC in engineering

NVQ level 3 or above (NVQ2 cited)

Job description

This Estates mechanical craftsperson post at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust covers the Estates team's mechanical and plumbing work. The work centres on diagnosing and repairing complex mechanical plant, steam systems, pipework and water hygiene equipment, alongside statutory testing and planned maintenance. The role carries a one-in-nine on-call rota and emergency overtime, with 37.5 hours worked Monday to Friday. Certificate of Sponsorship is not available for this role.

What the job involves

• Diagnose and repair faults on complex mechanical services, plant and equipment, including new situations as they arise
• Respond to emergency recalls and carry out on-call duties out of normal hours
• Monitor temperatures with a handheld data device and repair thermostatic mixing valves, tanks and calorifiers to meet the Legionella policy
• Carry out installation repairs and planned preventative maintenance on heating, compressors, motors, pumps, heat recovery, ventilation and controls
• Carry out statutory inspections and testing on mechanical services and plant, and complete the documentation
• Work on steam raising plant, including distribution and condensate return systems
• Manufacture, assemble, erect and install new plumbing work
• Fabricate and repair iron pipework by screwing or welding
• Carry out electrical isolations of pumps and motors as instructed, once assessed as competent
• Repair lifts, including emergency evacuation of people in line with health and safety requirements
• Install heavy engineering plant using lifting equipment in line with Trust policies
• Undertake non-complex fault finding on other trades' work

Qualifications

• Recognised time‑served apprenticeship, City & Guilds in mechanical engineering or plumbing, or BTEC ONC in engineering, or equivalent
• NVQ level 3 or above (the job description also cites NVQ2)

Experience

• Heating, ventilation or plumbing experience

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge and experience of mechanical services
• Working unsupervised, using own initiative and making safe decisions on site

Other

• Willingness to join the mechanical on-call rota, currently one week in nine
• Willingness to work emergency overtime when required

Nice to have

• CP MGPS (medical gas pipeline systems)
• CP Ventilation
• CP Pressure Systems
• BG01 boiler operator or steam qualification
• Legionella awareness
• Steam and medical gases experience
• Pressure systems experience
• Water hygiene experience

What’s offered

• High cost area (HCA) supplement included in pay
• 15.5% recruitment and retention payment, reviewed annually
• 3% on-call payment
• Flexible working options
• Training may be available in site-specific roles, with support from Estates management