Drying and Restoration Technician

Hastings Direct; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A digital insurance provider is seeking a Drying and Restoration Technician to manage customer claims related to water damage in a field-based role. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in restoration practices and customer service, along with strong IT skills. This position offers an opportunity for flexible working and competitive benefits in a growing team.

Benefits

Flexible working

Competitive bonus scheme

Health care cash back plans

Mental wellbeing programme

25 days annual leave

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in flood and escape of water damage management.
• Proven expertise across all damage perils and restoration scenarios.
• Physically capable of property strip-outs and equipment handling.

Responsibilities

• Visit customers to help evaluate claims and manage projects.
• Deliver accurate scopes for building works and ensure compliance.
• Work closely with customers to agree on settlement plans.

Skills

Flood and escape of water damage management

Restoration best practices

Customer care and professionalism

Diary management

Proficient in IT systems

Education

Qualification in drying and restoration (e.g. BDMA)

Tools

CoreLogic

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Overview

Drying and Restoration Technician

Locations: We are looking for our Technicians to cover Birmingham (West Midlands) and Bristol as priority areas, but due to our growth plans and number of vacancies, we're open to applications from wider UK regions. This is a field-based position which involves travel within your designated region, with flexibility to work from home when not on-site.

Welcome to Hastings Direct - From our Group HR Director Pam Angel

We're a digital insurance provider with ambitious plans to become The Best and Biggest in the UK market. We've made huge investments in our data and tech capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture. We're proud of the journey we're on as a company and know that our continued success will rely on the contribution of our talented colleagues.

We provide insurance for over four million customers, but we know there's an even bigger opportunity out there. The fact you're now reading this job advert means we've tempted you to find out more about #lifeatHD - we really hope you like what you see, and you'll join us to share in the success of the exciting chapter that lies ahead.

We understand some people may not apply for jobs unless they feel they tick every box. If you are excited about joining us and think you have some of what we are looking for, even if you're not 100% sure we would love to hear from you.

Role overview

Our Home Claims team is growing even bigger! As part of our Drying and Restoration Team, you'll be responsible for visiting our customers to help evaluate their claim, taking immediate and urgent action to remove debris and installing the relevant equipment to restore the customer's home. You'll project manage the customer's claim onsite, either offering immediate settlement or be their key point of contact until building repairs commence.

Job details - you'll need to have demonstrable experience in

• Delivering accurate scopes for building works, repair and installation of drying programs in a safe manner, ensuring compliance with health & safety standards, safe systems of work, and COSHH regulations
• Identifying and implementing best practices for escape of water incidents, maintaining accurate IT records and ensuring effective restoration planning
• Working closely with our customers to agree settlement plans, arranging alternative accommodation or temporary solutions, and ensuring a smooth claims journey
• Managing and maintaining company-provided equipment and vehicles as you'll be expected to travel to various locations throughout the week
• Escalating complex cases with proposed solutions, collaborating with Surveying Leads and supply chain partners to ensure efficient claim resolution and deliver a seamless experience for policyholders throughout the claims journey
• Continuously developing your skills with operational support, contributing to best practices, policy improvements, and driving efficient drying times and settlements

Essential skills/experience

• Extensive experience in flood and escape of water damage management, with strong knowledge of restoration best practices, health & safety regulations, and relevant legislation.
• Proven expertise across all damage perils and restoration scenarios, including hands-on use of specialist tools and equipment, with a proactive approach to diary management and claim volumes.
• A qualification in drying and restoration (e.g. BDMA) or an equivalent is desirable, alongside essential experience in domestic property claims and a strong commitment to customer care and professionalism
• Physically capable of property strip-outs and equipment handling, with full use of a company vehicle provided
• Proficient in IT systems and claims management software (e.g., CoreLogic, Microsoft Teams), with a clean driving licence and subject to DBS and ID checks
• Positive, adaptable attitude with a willingness to learn, supported by ongoing training to enhance technical skills and career development.

The interview process

Our interview process involves the below:

• Recruiter screening call
• 1st interview with hiring leader (Microsoft Teams)

As a Disability Confident employer, we're committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are fully inclusive - what this means to you is if you're applying for a job with us, you'll have fair access to support and adjustments throughout your recruitment journey. We also welcome applications through the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). For more information on the DCS, please visit our inclusive business page on our career's website.

Regrettably we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Benefits

• Flexible working - we champion a flexible hybrid working approach - please speak to your recruiter to discuss in more detail
• Competitive bonus scheme - all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus
• Financial wellbeing - including life assurance cover (4x salary), income protection at no extra cost, and matched pension contributions up to 10%, plus discounts, cashback, free independent mortgage advice and access to financial wellbeing support
• Mental wellbeing programme - Thrive app, colleague assistance programme 24/7, in-house mental health first aiders, support groups and dedicated team
• There’s more! - 25 days annual leave + bank holidays, with optional buy/sell of one week, health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted or free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year and more

Join us and you'll find a different way of doing things. We call it the 4Cs. We focus on getting it right for our colleagues, customers, company and community. Our 4Cs principles are simple: we believe by creating the right culture for our colleagues and giving them the right tools to do their job, we'll deliver good outcomes for every customer, helping us to grow the company profitably and sustainably and allowing us to invest in the communities we serve.

Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. Please also note that we have a thorough referencing process, which includes credit and criminal record checks.