Band 4 - Mechanical Craftsperson, Estates

NHS; Watford; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a Band 4 Mechanical Craftsperson in Estates to diagnose and repair faults on complex mechanical services, plant and equipment, and to contribute to safe, reliable patient care.

You will work 37.5 hours weekly, participate in on‑call rota, and maintain heating, water and ventilation systems, including gas safety and statutory checks. Applicants should have an apprenticeship or NVQ level 3 in mechanical engineering or plumbing.

Qualifications

• Recognised time served apprenticeship, or City & Guilds in Mechanical Engineering/Plumbing or BTEC (ONC) in Engineering or equivalent. NVQ3 or above.
• CP MGPS.
• CP Ventilation.
• CP Pressure Systems.
• BG01 Boiler operators or Steam.

Responsibilities

• Provide emergency recall and undertake on-call duties as part of the on-call team to ensure that emergency repairs occurring out of normal hours are attended to.
• To liaise and work with other trades/disciplines including external agencies (contractors).
• Participate fully in the Labour Management Scheme completing timesheets and job dockets and providing all relevant information.
• Interpret detailed engineering drawings and specifications to instruct and advise others.
• Complete competent person assessments in relevant mechanical positions i.e. BG01 operators, CP Medical Gases, CP Ventilation, CP Confined Spaces CP Pressure Systems.
• Work on repair and maintenance of Trust Estates assets such as heating plant, pumps, boilers, Air handling units, BMS plant controls, water tanks and water quality systems, mechanical control panels.
• Work on HWS systems, medical gas systems and refrigeration systems. Programmed planned preventative and statutory maintenance on selected equipment.

Education

Apprenticeship / City & Guilds in Mechanical Engineering/Plumbing or BTEC (ONC) in Engineering or equivalent

CP MGPS

CP Ventilation

CP Pressure Systems

BG01 Boiler operators or Steam

Job description

Go back West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 4 - Mechanical Craftsperson, Estates

The closing date is 11 October 2026

We are looking for a motivated and skilled individual to join our Estates team, where you will have the opportunity to contribute to a vital service supporting patient care.

You would need to have completed any of the following: recognised and registered Apprenticeship in City & Guilds, B-TEC ONC, NVQ2 and above or have achieved recognised equivalent training or experience in Mechanical/Plumbing Engineering so that you are able to work on your own initiative, make safe and prioritize requests.

Training may be available in site specific roles, and you will be able to broaden and develop your skills with the support of the Estates management..

Emergency overtime when required and to work unsupervised.

37.5 hours a week Monday to Thursday 8am to 4.30pm (1 hour lunch time) and Friday 8am to 4pm (30 minutes lunch time).

Must participate in the Mechanical on call rota currently 1 week in 9 and to be able to make on site decisions using your own initiative to keep patients and staff safe.

Main duties of the job

Diagnose and repair faults on complex mechanical services, engineering plant and equipment, deal with new situations as they arise and pass on knowledge to others.

Monitor temperatures using handheld data collection device, diagnose faults, recalibrate, and carry out repairs to thermostatic mixing valves, tanks and calorifiers to ensure compliance with the Control of Legionella Policy.

Manufacture, assemble, erect, and install new plumbing work as required.

Fabricate / repair all sizes of iron pipework by screwing or welding.

Work on steam raising plant, including distribution and condensate return systems.

Carry out both installation repairs and planned preventative maintenance on heating systems, compressors, motors, pumps, heat recovery, ventilation systems and controls.

Carry out statutory inspections and testing on mechanical services, engineering plant and equipment, and complete necessary documentation.

Undertake electrical Isolations of pumps, motors etc. as instructed and on assessment of electrical competency.

Undertake non-complex tasks including fault finding of other trades.

Repairs to lifts including emergency evacuation of persons in accordance with Health & Safety requirements.

Install heavy engineering plant using lifting equipment in compliance within Trust policies.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please [e-mail] If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

Job responsibilities

Provide emergency recall and undertake on-call duties as part of the on-call team to ensure that emergency repairs occurring out of normal hours are attended to.

To liaise and work with other trades/disciplines including external agencies (contractors).

Participate fully in the Labour Management Scheme completing timesheets and job dockets and providing all relevant information.

Interpret detailed engineering drawings and specifications to instruct and advise others.

You will be required to complete competent person assessments in relevant mechanical positions i.e. BG01 operators, CP Medical Gases, CP Ventilation, CP Confined Spaces CP Pressure Systems.

You will be working on the repair and maintenance of Trust Estates assets such as heating plant, pumps, boilers, Air handling units, BMS plant controls, water tanks and water quality systems, mechanical control panels.

You will also work on HWS systems, medical gas systems and refrigeration systems. There is programmed planned preventative and statutory maintenance on selected equipment that you will be involved in managing

Must be able to work efficiently with minimum supervision at all timesTo carry communication devices [mobile phones, two-way radios] to facilitate immediate response to emergencies.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

• Recognised time served apprenticeship, or City & Guilds in Mechanical Engineering/Plumbing or BTEC (ONC) in Engineering or equivalent. NVQ3 or above.
• CP MGPS.
• CP Ventilation.
• CP Pressure Systems.
• BG01 Boiler operators or Steam
• Knowledge & experience

Knowledge

• Mechanical Services and experience
• CP MGPS
• CP Ventilation
• CP Pressure Systems.
• BG01 Boiler operators or Steam.
• Knowledge & experience.

Experience

• Heating & Ventilation Plumbing.
• Steam, Medical Gases
• Pressure Systems
• Water Hygiene

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

£29,812 to £32,715 a yearinc. HCA plus 15.5% R&R reviewed annually & 3% On Call payment