Maintenance Assistant

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

An established university is seeking a reliable Maintenance Assistant to support day-to-day operations. In this dynamic role, you will engage in various planned and general maintenance tasks, ensuring compliance with safety standards and regulations. The ideal candidate will possess strong manual skills across building, electrical, and mechanical disciplines, alongside excellent customer care abilities. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a vibrant educational environment while developing your skills and working with a supportive team. If you are physically fit, proactive, and eager to learn, this role could be your next career step.

Benefits

Generous holiday package

Great pension schemes

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience in maintenance and repair of buildings and services is essential.
• Must possess a clean driving license and be physically fit.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic maintenance work in compliance with industry standards.
• Ensure safety and health regulations are followed during maintenance tasks.

Skills

Manual skills

Customer care

Communication skills

Mechanical knowledge

Electrical knowledge

Education

Good level of secondary education

Literate and numerate to NVQ level 2

Job description

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 13 January 2024

The Role

Estates and Facilities are looking for an experienced & reliable Maintenance Assistant to join their dynamic team in day to day maintenance across the University.

Based within the Estates & Facilities Service, you will undertake a variety of planned preventative and general maintenance and installation tasks, as well as supporting other E&F teams and trades as required. You should have a good level of secondary education and be literate and numerate to NVQ Level 2. Demonstrable experience in a similar role would be desirable and manual skills in a wide range of building, electrical or mechanical disciplines is essential. You will have excellent customer care and communication skills and be willing to attend training as required. You should be physically fit and active with the ability to work at height and in confined spaces. A full driving licence is essential and the successful applicant may occasionally be required to work unsocial hours or weekends.

Key Accountabilities

• To undertake basic maintenance work to an agreed standard, in compliance with industry standards.
• To ensure that the work carried out is in compliance with all applicable legislation, codes of practice, bye laws and health and safety requirements to ensure a safe environment. Be familiar with and understand the requirements of Health and Safety guidelines and University policies and procedures particularly with reference to asbestos and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations.
• To carry out minor works on a range of building fabric, mechanical and electrical services which may include replacing components on interior and exterior lighting outlets, drain cleaning and other planned preventative maintenance tasks.
• Carry out assigned tasks with an appreciation of possible disruptions to minimise inconvenience to staff, students and visitors.
• To have a clear understanding of the COSHH Regulations, particularly with respect to solvent based materials. Ensuring that these regulations are fully complied with when carrying out operations duties and that any concerns or recommendations for improvement in relation to working practices are reported to the Supervisor/Direct Works manager.
• To meet at all times the requirements of tight timescales, service level standards and emergency situations, including where necessary the working of unsociable hours. To work overtime subject to reasonable notice from management and to complete jobs which may require a short period of overtime, when requested by their Supervisor.
• Ensure the accurate and timely completion of electronic or paperwork systems necessary to assess and account for the processes, actions and procedures carried out by the post holder, to ensure compliance with service level standards and health and safety legislation. Be familiar with and able to work to standard risk assessments and where applicable contribute to the revision of job specific risk assessments.
• To report systems, installations and plant that may be encountered in the University Estate where safety and working practices may no longer be appropriate or acceptable. Take appropriate action to ensure the safety of themselves and others.
• Work occasionally with external sub-contractors.
• Carry out other duties as may be deemed necessary by the Maintenance Manager, Maintenance Officer or Maintenance Supervisors.

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Manual skills in a wide range of building, electrical and mechanical disciplines.
• Excellent customer care and communication skills.
• A willingness to attend training course/sessions.
• Demonstrable experience in maintenance and repair of buildings and mechanical and/or electrical services.
• Physically able to carry out the duties of the position – regular bending, lifting, moving around a large building or complex.
• Clean current driving licence.
• Basic theoretical knowledge of mechanical and/or electrical plant and equipment or building fabric.
• An ability to understand permit to work systems, COSHH systems and procedures and manual handling requirements.

Attributes and Behaviour

• Inspiring others
  • Communicating
• Working together
  • Team working
• Taking responsibility
  • Service delivery
• Looking to the future
  • Embracing change

Qualifications

• Good level of secondary education.
• Literate and numerate to NVQ level 2.

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams. We believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.