Buildings and Maintenance Officer

Heart of Newhaven; Ratho; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

A local community charity in Scotland is seeking a Buildings Maintenance Officer to oversee the upkeep and maintenance of its facilities. This role involves ensuring safety, managing day-to-day operations, and maintaining the cleanliness of the site. Applicants should possess good communication skills, basic maintenance abilities, and experience in facilities management. The position demands flexible working hours including some evenings and weekends. A commitment to community ethos and values is essential.

Benefits

Annual Leave: 28 days including public holidays

Time Off in Lieu system for overtime

Qualifications

• Good and clear level of communication with management, staff, and tenants.
• Ability to carry out regular light physical tasks.
• Experience of facilities management and understanding of Health and Safety legislation.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety procedures are followed to maintain security of the building.
• Keep the buildings clean and tidy.
• Work with the Transition Manager to plan repairs and improvements.

Skills

Organisational skills and attention to detail

Good communication skills including fluency in written and spoken English

Customer service experience

Ability to self-manage workload

IT comprehension (e.g., Microsoft Office)

Job description

About the Heart of Newhaven Community

The Heart of Newhaven Community (a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, SC049919) was created on the back of community consultation around four years ago. The aim was to save Victoria Primary School from development, dereliction or destruction and turn it into an inclusive, welcoming hub that everyone could enjoy. Our core themes of Culture and Heritage, Learning and Enterprise, and Community and Well‑being will lead the ambitious programme of collaborative, intergenerational activity at ‘The Heart’.

We are in the early stages of opening The Heart to the public, and are looking for an enthusiastic, flexible and reliable person to join our small team and help turn the vision into reality.

Job purpose

The Buildings Maintenance Officer will play a key role in the upkeep, maintenance and repairs of The Heart and its buildings, liaison with facilities management contractors, as well as setting up additional one‑off and regular hires and events. The post holder will be given a high degree of autonomy and will be self‑motivated to play a key role in the day‑to‑day management of the Heart’s spaces, buildings, and grounds.

The role is based on‑site at the Heart, 4‑6 Main Street, Newhaven, Edinburgh. The role holder must be readily able to commute to this location. There will be a requirement to perform out of hours cover to open and close the building, but due notice would be given and full pay for this would always be provided.

The role has three central aims in the development of a thriving intergenerational hub, its three buildings and the wider site:

• Provide efficient and effective caretaking support including the security, as well as the upkeep, and the general appearance of the buildings and surrounding grounds.
• Manage and organise the building for day‑to‑day use, as well as additional one‑off and regular hires and events.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety regulations.

Main Responsibilities

• Ensure safety procedures and management plans are followed to ensure security of the building and the safety and wellbeing of its users.
• Facilitate and inform about safe and practical use of the building’s rooms for a variety of activities and events.
• Keep the buildings clean and tidy.
• Carry out basic maintenance throughout the Heart’s buildings and grounds.
• Work with the Transition Manager to escalate and plan repairs and improvements to the Heart’s buildings.
• Instruct and manage contractors for both planned and reactive maintenance ensuring compliance with health & safety.
• Carry out regular building checks and complete in-house PAT testing.
• Maintaining cleaning supply levels and the safe storage of cleaning products.
• Attend relevant training as decided on by the Heart of Newhaven Community Board of Trustees.

This job description is neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the duties and responsibilities may vary from time‑to‑time in the light of changing circumstances and in consultation with the jobholder.

Hours of work

16 hours per week. Some evening and/or weekend work will be required. The Heart operates a Time Off in Lieu system for staff working overtime in accordance with Heart of Newhaven Community policy.

Annual Leave: 28 days including public holidays (i.e 126 hours p.a).

Heart of Newhaven Community is open to flexible working requests. The charity is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences.

To apply, please send us a copy of your CV, a supporting statement describing how you meet the person specification, and a short covering letter.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• Good and clear level of communication with management, members of staff, members of the public, and tenants; ability to articulate building rules and procedures, and is comfortable working both alone and within a team
• Applicants must be able to carry out regular light physical tasks, such as moving chairs and tables, as well as minor joinery, plumbing and maintenance tasks.
• Experience of facilities management and understanding of Health and Safety at Work legislation.

Desirable

• DIY and painting experience. Plumbing, joinery, and maintenance experience.
• Completion of work‑related trainings, including COSHH training First Aid at Work; PAT testing; Fire Marshall training; Mental Health First Aid.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion, community empowerment and community development.
• Experience in stock management.
• Experience of partnership working.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Organisational skills and attention to detail
• Good communication skills including fluency in written and spoken English
• Customer service experience
• Ability to self‑manage workload
• IT comprehension (eg. Microsoft office)
• Basic understanding of events equipment (projectors, microphones etc.)

Qualities and attributes

Essential

• Highly motivated individual, able to meet tight deadlines and to manage workload priorities.
• Ability to be a positive, flexible, and enthusiastic member of the Heart team.
• Commitment to the Heart’s ethos and values