Maintenance Operative

Homeless Link; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Pension

Blue Light Card

Discounted tickets

Mental Health support

Training & Development

Employee Assistance

Life Assurance

Cycle-to-work

Staff Awards

EDI Ambassador

Job summary

Social Interest Group (SIG) is seeking a Maintenance Operative to work across several services in the Kent area. Based in the central office, you will travel regularly to sites to ensure properties meet safety and Good Homes standards, delivering timely maintenance and repairs with the Estates team.

You will perform carpentry, plumbing and general maintenance, with strong attention to detail, managing inventories and coordinating external contractors to sustain service quality.

Qualifications

• Proven multi-trade technical skills, particularly in carpentry and plumbing.
• Ability to manage projects independently and as part of a team.
• Capability to handle fast-paced environments, manage competing priorities, and resolve challenges proactively.
• Attention to detail and competence in administrative tasks and using digital systems.

Responsibilities

• Carry out responsive repairs, cyclical maintenance, and inspections to maintain properties to SIG’s standard.
• Manage inventories—monitor stock and order supplies as needed.
• Coordinate external contractors (e.g., electricians, roofers) to deliver high-standard work.
• Promote best practices in health, safety, and environmental compliance.
• Address HSE concerns proactively and report incidents or risks appropriately.
• Contribute to regular risk reviews and mitigation strategies.

Skills

Carpentry

Plumbing

Multi-trade skills

Driving licence

Job description

Job Title: Maintenance Operative

Location: Kent area working across multiple services. Please note that unfortunately, some of our services do not have step free access.

Salary: £28,800

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:00. You will be based in central office but are required to travel to our different services on a regular basis throughout the week, mainly around Kent.

About the role

We're looking for a Maintenance Operative to join our team based in Kent. You will work across several services, working within the Maintenance and Estates team, to provide a good customer service to our residents, participants, staff, and external contractors. You will carry out work to our properties to ensure they are safe, within our standards, and are a homely environment for our residents. You will ensure the smooth delivery and upkeep of repair operations, working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to ensure high-quality, timely maintenance and across our property portfolio.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Carry out responsive repairs, cyclical maintenance, and inspections to maintain properties to SIG’s standard.
• Manage inventories—monitor stock and order supplies as needed.
• Coordinate external contractors (e.g., electricians, roofers) to deliver high-standard work.
• Promote best practices in health, safety, and environmental compliance.
• Address HSE concerns proactively and report incidents or risks appropriately.
• Contribute to regular risk reviews and mitigation strategies.

Please note, a Full Manual UK Driving Licence is an essential criteria for this position due to the travel required for this role.

About you

You bring a versatile skill set grounded in hands‑on experience, skilled in carpentry, plumbing, and general property maintenance, with the ability to diagnose issues efficiently and deliver high-quality solutions. Your attention to detail means you catch small defects before they escal​ate, ensuring every task meets the "Good Homes" standards. You’re also an organised self‑starter: adept at juggling multiple priorities, maintaining inventories, and managing supplies to keep operations running smoothly.

We’re looking for:

• Proven multi-trade technical skills, particularly in carpentry and plumbing.
• Ability to manage projects independently and as part of a team.
• Capability to handle fast‑paced environments, manage competing priorities, and resolve challenges proactively.
• Attention to detail and competence in administrative tasks and using digital systems.
• A collaborative mindset with creative thinking to drive service improvements.
• Commitment to confidentiality, compliance, and ethical conduct in alignment with SIG values.

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop‑in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change.

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma‑informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets. Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group.

Additional Information

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions.