Mechanical Installation & Maintenance Technician (Plumber)

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 38+ days

Hybrid working options

Generous pension scheme

Staff discounts

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking a Maintenance Plumber/Technician to perform planned and reactive mechanical maintenance across university facilities. You will prioritise tasks, inspect and repair a range of services, and ensure work is completed safely and in line with policy.

You will collaborate with other teams, liaise with contractors, and participate in an on‑call rota for emergencies, contributing to a world-class facilities service.

Qualifications

• Apprenticeship in mechanical engineering and a recognised qualification (City & Guilds Level 3 or equivalent).
• Gas Safe registration for domestic and commercial premises.
• Working knowledge of health & safety legislation relevant to heating, ventilation, gas, and water installations.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned and reactive mechanical maintenance on services and systems.
• Prioritise jobs, decide methods and ensure timely completion per policies and safety standards.
• Liaise with contractors and inform on progress and safety requirements.
• Maintain tools, equipment, and vehicles; participate in on-call rota for emergencies.
• Work collaboratively across university departments and with external partners.

Skills

Health & safety awareness

Communication skills

Teamwork

Decision making

Flexible / on-call availability

Education

Apprenticeship in mechanical engineering

Gas Safe registration

City & Guilds Level 3 or equivalent

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities, and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The Engineering and Maintenance team provide a reactive and planned programme of works for every building within the university, working in collaboration with other university departments and outside partners to deliver an outstanding, world-class service.

As part of a team of maintenance plumbers & technicians, use mechanical maintenance & plumbing skills to ensure effective delivery of the university’s maintenance function. Carry out the day to day planned and reactive maintenance of mechanical elements and supporting other disciplines.

At all times work in compliance with the University’s policies, current technical legislation and health and safety standards.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Carry out planned and reactive mechanical maintenance activities through testing, fault finding and repair on a range of services, installations, associated plant, appliances and systems. Complete jobs safely, following correct procedures, and that own work is completed on time, in compliance with the University’s policies, current technical legislation and health and safety standards.
• Prioritise jobs in order of urgency, as directed by the supervisor, calling upon depth of knowledge, skills and experience and expertise. Make decisions on the methods to be used.
• Undertake mechanical maintenance of services using a range of tools and techniques. The work is split between planned and reactive maintenance.
• Liaise with contractors working on University premises ensuring they are carrying out work to required timescales and University Health and Safety standards. Provide detailed information about how to tackle technical tasks.
• Maintain good relationships with key contacts in University departments to inform them about work being undertaken, keeping them up to date.
• Reporting stock levels of consumables to enable all work to be achieved.
• Maintain personal tools, equipment and vehicles. Complete regular checks on vehicles to ensure it is in good condition.
• Respond to requests for assistance at the University outside normal working hours in accordance with the departments’ call-out procedures. The post is required to participate in a formal on-call rota to provide emergency responses across the Estate. Participation in this rota will be determined by the University in accordance with the on-call provisions.
• Responsible for completing an initial investigation, if not the whole job itself, within the required timescale, according to the pre-set Service Level Agreements.
• As a member of our Professional staff you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework. As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply.

Criteria

• Essential Or Desirable
• Stage(s) assessed at: An apprenticeship in mechanical engineering and an industry recognised qualification, City & Guilds Level 3 or equivalent.
• Essential: Interview, Application. Gas Safe registration on domestic & commercial premises.
• Desirable: Application. Experience of liaising with contractors and suppliers.
• Essential: Interview. A comprehensive working knowledge of current, relevant health & safety legislation is essential to meet the job requirements.
• Essential: Interview. Knowledge of heating, ventilation, gas, hot and cold water installations as well as of the products and services for maintaining these.
• Essential: Interview. Demonstrable knowledge of other disciplines and an understanding of their maintenance activities.
• Essential: Interview. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with customers, contractors and suppliers.
• Essential: Interview. Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative with an ability to prioritise and make decisions effectively with an appreciation of longer term implications.
• Essential: Interview. A flexible and positive approach to work with a willingness to work out of hours
• Essential: Interview. Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Essential: Interview. Technical Professional Registration or the willingness to work towards it.
• Desirable: Interview, Application. Full current driving license.
• Desirable: Application.

Further Information

Grade

G5

Salary

£27,719 to £31,236 per annum (£14.97 to 17.12 per hour) with potential to progress to £33,482 per annum (18.60 per hour) through sustained exceptional contribution.

Work arrangement

Full Time

Duration

None specified (implied ongoing)

Line manager

Mechanical Engineering Manager

Direct reports

None

Right to work in the UK

This role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship under the UK Visa & Immigration points-based system. Information on alternative visa options is available on www.gov.uk.

Our website

www.shef.ac.uk/efm

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will consist of a face to face interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [e-mail]

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What We Offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

For informal enquiries about this job contact Mark Sanderon, Operations Manager (Mechanical): on [e-mail]