Maintenance Operative

Commercial Real Estate Management Ltd; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Flow Student at Parham Student Village in Canterbury is seeking a Maintenance Operative to help maintain a safe, well-presented living environment for students, across bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and communal areas.

You'll work under the Facilities Manager, respond quickly to maintenance requests, carry out planned preventative maintenance, and support compliance checks, with a focus on plumbing proficiency and a proactive, resident-centered approach.

Qualifications

• Background in plumbing and good knowledge of plumbing systems.
• Experience in general property maintenance.
• Basic knowledge of electrical systems.
• Strong problem-solving and attention to detail.
• Good communication with residents.
• Ability to work independently and manage daily tasks.
• Proactive, can-do attitude.

Responsibilities

• Carry out day-to-day reactive maintenance across bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and communal spaces.
• Complete basic repairs to plumbing, electrical fittings, joinery and fixtures.
• Diagnose faults and implement effective solutions in a timely manner.
• Assist with room inspections and end-of-tenancy work.
• Support Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPMs) and safety checks.

Skills

Plumbing

General maintenance

Electrical knowledge

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Communication

Independent working

Can-do attitude

Job description

Maintenance Operative

Location: Parham Student Village – Canterbury

Reporting to: Facilities Manager

Department: Operations / Facilities

Salary: £32,000

Working Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm (37.5 hours per week)

Role Overview

Our Maintenance Operative plays a key role in maintaining a safe, well-presented and fully operational environment for students at Parham Student Village, part of the Flow Student portfolio.

This role is responsible for delivering high-quality day-to-day maintenance across the property, ensuring that the building, rooms, communal areas and services are kept in excellent condition. The maintenance operative will support the operational team by responding quickly to maintenance requests. An important part of the role is focusing on completing Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM’s) and assisting with compliance checks, this will be a large proportion of the role.

Working closely with the Facilities Manager, the role also contributes to the wider resident experience. We are particularly interested in hearing from someone with Plumbing qualifications or experience.

In student accommodation, maintenance is not only about fixing issues but about ensuring residents feel supported and that their home functions smoothly and safely.

The successful candidate should also have practical experience in general maintenance and a can-do attitude with a willingness to learn and help out.

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance & Repairs

• Carry out day-to-day reactive maintenance across the property including bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, corridors and communal spaces.
• Complete basic repairs relating to plumbing, electrical fittings, joinery, fixtures and fittings.
• Diagnose faults and implement effective solutions in a timely manner.
• Ensure all maintenance work is completed safely and to a high standard.
• Assist with room inspections, end-of-tenancy work and preparation of rooms for incoming residents.

Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM)

• Support the delivery of the site’s planned preventative maintenance programme.
• Carry out routine inspections of building systems including Fire Alarms, Emergency lighting, plumbing fixtures, appliances and safety equipment.
• Record completed tasks and report any compliance issues or defects to management.

Resident Support

• Respond to resident requests in a professional and friendly manner.
• Provide practical support to residents where required, including minor adjustments or troubleshooting.
• Ensure residents feel supported and that issues are resolved efficiently.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Assist with regular compliance checks across the building including fire safety equipment checks, emergency lighting checks and basic water hygiene monitoring.
• Ensure all work complies with relevant health and safety regulations.
• Always maintain safe working practices.

Contractor Support

• Assist with the supervision of external contractors working on site.
• Ensure contractors follow site procedures and health and safety standards.
• Support larger maintenance projects and refurbishment works where required.

General Site Standards

• Ensure communal areas, plant rooms and service areas remain clean, safe and organised.
• Report any building defects or safety risks promptly.
• Assist with stock control for maintenance supplies and equipment.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• A background within plumbing and a good working knowledge of plumbing systems
• Experience in general property maintenance
• Basic technical knowledge of electrical systems.
• A strong problem solver.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Good communication skills and ability to interact with residents professionally.
• Ability to work independently, be proactive in quieter periods and be able to manage your own daily tasks.
• A can-do attitude

Desirable

• Qualification or trade background, preferably in plumbing
• Experience working in residential or student accommodation environments.
• Knowledge of building compliance requirements.

Personal Attributes

• A proactive can do and hands-on approach.
• Pride in maintaining high standards.
• A calm and solution-focused mindset.
• A positive and resident-focused attitude.
• Strong reliability and organisational skills.
• Confident with engaging with residents

What success looks like

• Maintenance issues resolved quickly and efficiently.
• High standards of building presentation and functionality.
• Positive feedback from residents and site management.
• Compliance checks completed accurately and on time.
• A safe and well-maintained living environment across the village.

About Flow Student

Flow Student is the national student living brand from MCR Property Group, delivering modern, well-managed accommodation designed around how students live today.
Our focus is on clarity, quality and consistency, creating environments that support student wellbeing, independence and community.
At Parham Student Village, the maintenance operative will play an important role in ensuring residents enjoy a safe, comfortable and well-maintained home throughout their time with us.