Maintenance Officer

Field Studies Council; Slapton; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life assurance 5x salary

Health & wellbeing support

28 days annual holiday + bank holidays

Cycle to work scheme

Employee rewards & discounts

Job summary

Field Studies Council Slapton is seeking a proactive Maintenance Officer to keep the centre safe, welcoming and running smoothly in a stunning coastal setting.

You will lead hands-on maintenance for interior and exterior fabric, oversee health and safety checks, manage external contractors and support the maintenance plan, including site vehicles and routine servicing. This full-time, permanent role offers generous benefits and a strong sense of environmental purpose.

Qualifications

• Experience in safe use and care of machinery for indoor and outdoor maintenance.
• Experience liaising with external contractors.
• Good practical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage day-to-day tasks with safety responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead centre safety, compliance and smooth operation.
• Carry out internal and external fabric and fittings repairs.
• Oversee health & safety monitoring, checks and record-keeping.
• Support maintenance planning and on-call emergencies.

Skills

Maintenance experience

Health & Safety awareness

Contractor liaison

Problem solving

Driving licence

Job description

Do you have the skills and confidence to take the lead in maintaining a busy learning centre in a stunning natural setting? We’re looking for a proactive and capable Maintenance Officer to join our team at Field Studies Council Slapton.

• Permanent contract - Full time average 37.5 hours per week
• Weekly hours may vary, with more during busy periods and fewer in quieter weeks.
• £27,365 - £29,040 per annum (DOE?) + excellent benefits - including life assurance 5 x your salary and health and wellbeing support.
• *This role is currently eligible for our geographical allowance incentive. This means that during your first two years of employment with us, you'll be paid an extra amount each month on top of your usual salary - this extra payment is calculated at 5% of the gross basic salary figure.
• Work in a place where your breaks come with fresh sea air and birdsong. Here, nature is part of everyday life.

Love where you work! At the Field Studies Council, our mission is to create outstanding opportunities that inspire everyone to engage with and care for the environment.

Every role plays a vital part in making that happen. As Maintenance Officer, your work ensures our centre remains safe, welcoming ready to deliver outstanding outdoor learning experiences.

We value the contribution each team member makes and provide excellent benefits to reward and support you in your role.

What You’ll Be Doing

You will take the lead in keeping our centre safe, compliant and running smoothly. This is a busy, active role requiring hands‑on maintenance skills and the ability to carry out manual handling tasks.

As a Senior Member Of The Team, You Will Take Responsibility For The Overall Maintenance And Improvement Of Our Buildings, Grounds, And Essential Site Systems. This Includes

• Carrying out internal and external repairs to fabric and fittings
• Overseeing routine Health & Safety monitoring, checks and record-keeping
• Maintaining and monitoring internal systems such as heating and hot water, alarms, sewage system, electronic door locks, portable electrical equipment and other essential equipment
• Liaising with external contractors regarding planned and reactive maintenance work to ensure quality, value for money and compliance
• Contributing to maintenance planning, including supporting the Maintenance Action Plan
• Ensuring routine checks on learning location vehicles and arranging MOTs, servicing and repairs
• Supporting grounds maintenance, waste management, and keeping the site clean and welcoming
• Setting up rooms and assisting other teams with practical tasks when needed
• This role also forms part of our duty/on-call rota to support customers and respond to emergencies.

Please refer to the vacancy pack for further details on the full responsibilities of the role.

Where you’ll be based

Field Studies Council Slapton sits within the South Devon National Landscape, nestled between Start Bay and the freshwater lake of Slapton Ley, with Dartmoor just beyond. This is more than a workplace. It is a chance to help care for a beautiful coastal setting that inspires thousands of young people and adults to connect with and care for the environment. If you’re looking for a role where your surroundings are as rewarding as your work, this could be it.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone with experience in both interior and exterior maintenance work who takes pride in delivering high-quality workmanship and understands the Health & Safety responsibilities that come with this role.

You Will Also Bring

• Experience of the safe use and care of relevant machinery and equipment for indoor and outdoor maintenance tasks
• Experience of liaising with (and supervising if necessary) external contractors
• Good practical problem-solving skills
• Ability to effectively manage tasks on a day-to-day basis
• A professional manner in all that you do
• An empathy with the aims and objectives of the Field Studies Council
• Motivation to learn new skills and take on new challenges

A full driving licence is essential, as you will be asked to drive our vehicles. To do so, you must be aged 21 years or over, have been driving for at least two years, and undertake an internal assessment on commencement in the role.

Your Benefits Whilst Working With Us Will Include

• 28 days annual holiday entitlement plus bank holidays
• Extra loyalty days dependent on length of service
• Life assurance 5 x your actual salary
• Health and Wellbeing Support App
• Second opinions from top doctors
• 24hr Counselling Helpline Service
• Cycle to work and EV schemes
• Reward programme with discounts and cashback opportunities
• Flexible working options where roles permit
• Quality learning and development opportunities

If you’re ready to take pride in a role that keeps this special place running safely and smoothly, we would love to hear from you.

The closing date for receipt of your completed application is 9 October 2026. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we’re in receipt of sufficient applications. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Interviews are scheduled to take place at Field Studies Council Slapton in the week commencing 12 October 2026.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and we expect all team members to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will only be confirmed following the successful completion of rigorous pre-employment checks, including appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

We want to create a world where everyone feels connected to the environment so they can enjoy the benefits it gives and make choices that help protect it.

As an Investors in People charity, we realise that to achieve our vision we need diverse teams of staff who have a wide range of skills, a real passion for the work of the charity and pride in their role within it. No matter what role you perform at the Field Studies Council, everyone can make a difference and every role is vital to delivering our mission and vision… if this inspires you, we would love to hear from you.