Multi-Skilled Operative (External Works)

Lifestone Homes Ltd; Chesham; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company van and fuel card

Pension scheme

Health cash plan

Volunteer days

Training and apprenticeships

Paid subscriptions

Job summary

Lifestone Homes is seeking a Multi-Skilled Operative to join our Repairs team, delivering external repairs and maintenance across our housing stock. This mobile role covers Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and surrounding counties, performing tasks including fencing, paving, drainage, brickwork and groundworks.

You will diagnose issues, source materials, manage work orders, keep residents informed, and ensure repairs are completed safely, to a high standard, and in line with our

Qualifications

• Experience carrying out groundworks, brickwork, fencing repairs and external maintenance.
• Experience in social housing or domestic property maintenance.
• Full UK driving licence.
• City & Guilds NVQ Level 3 or equivalent trade experience.

Responsibilities

• Carry out external repairs including fencing, gates, paving, pathways, drainage repairs, brickwork, and groundworks.
• Manage work orders and order materials to ensure value for money.
• Ensure repairs are completed safely and to high standards.
• Maintain records using PDA and repairs management systems.
• Communicate with residents throughout repairs.

Skills

Groundworks

Brickwork

Fencing

Paving

Drainage repairs

Driving licence

Health & safety

Education

NVQ Level 3

Tools

PDA systems

Job description

Multi-Skilled Operative (External Works - fencing, gates, paving, pathways, drainage repairs, brickwork, concrete repairs and general groundworks)

Salary: £43,268 + Excellent Benefits

Office base: Letchworth Garden City

Location of work: Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and surrounding counties

Mobile role: Fully branded company van and fuel card provided for business use

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 40 hours per week, 08:00 - 17:00 Monday - Friday

Are you looking to join an organisation with strong values and a clear social purpose?

At Lifestone Homes, we're proud to manage more than 30,000 homes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Everything we do is about delivering excellent services, high quality homes, neighbourhoods we can be proud of and maximising the number of new affordable homes we build. Through our merger, we've brought together shared values, skills and ambition, allowing us to build more affordable homes and make an even bigger difference in the communities we serve.

If you're ready to grow your career in a supportive and inclusive environment whilst helping to shape stronger communities, we'd love to welcome you on our journey. Together, we're building a better future.

About The Role

We're looking for a Multi Skilled Operative to join our Repairs team, delivering external repairs and maintenance services across our housing stock.

This is a mobile role covering Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and surrounding counties. Working across our homes and communal areas, you'll carry out a wide range of external repairs including fencing, gates, paving, pathways, drainage repairs, brickwork, concrete works and general groundworks.

You'll take ownership of repairs from initial diagnosis through to completion, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently and to a high standard. You'll work closely with residents, colleagues and contractors, providing an excellent customer experience whilst delivering quality repairs that improve the homes and communities we serve.

We're looking for somebody who takes pride in their workmanship, enjoys solving problems and is committed to delivering excellent customer service alongside excellent repairs.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out a wide range of external repairs including fencing, gates, paving, pathways, drainage repairs, brickwork, concrete repairs and general groundworks
• Complete maintenance, renewal and replacement works across our housing stock and communal areas
• Deliver repairs safely and to a high standard, achieving repairs right first time wherever possible
• Diagnose repair issues and identify practical solutions
• Order materials and specialist products as required whilst ensuring value for money
• Manage work orders effectively, including follow on works, cancellations and status updates
• Identify and report health and safety concerns, compliance issues or risks
• Support the delivery of an efficient, resident focused repairs service and contribute towards team performance targets
• Ensure repairs are completed in line with organisational standards, policies and schedules of rates
• Manage workload effectively from initial diagnosis through to completion
• Maintain accurate records using PDA and repairs management systems
• Manage van stock, materials and equipment efficiently
• Communicate professionally with residents, keeping them informed throughout repairs
• Ensure work areas are left safe, clean and tidy upon completion
• Maintain company vehicles in a clean and roadworthy condition

Our Expectations

• Excellent workmanship delivered consistently across all repairs
• Repairs completed right first time wherever possible
• Reduced defects, recalls and follow on works
• Positive customer outcomes and high levels of resident satisfaction
• Repairs completed efficiently within agreed timescales
• Effective management of workload, materials and resources
• Accurate and timely updates recorded on PDA and repairs systems
• Well managed van stock with minimal waste
• Strong compliance with health and safety requirements, policies and regulations
• Proactive identification and resolution of issues
• Positive contribution to team performance and service delivery

About You

Essential

• Experience carrying out groundworks, brickwork, fencing repairs and external maintenance works
• Experience working within social housing, domestic property maintenance or a responsive repairs environment
• Experience delivering excellent quality repairs and achieving repairs right first time
• Experience diagnosing and resolving repair issues whilst working directly with residents
• Strong knowledge of groundworks, bricklaying, paving and fencing repair techniques
• Good understanding of responsive repairs operations and service delivery standards
• Good knowledge of health and safety legislation and safe systems of work
• Understanding of customer service standards and resident focused service delivery
• Knowledge of value for money principles and efficient use of materials and resources
• Experience using mobile technology, PDAs and repairs management systems
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage workload effectively
• Ability to identify issues, make sound decisions and contribute to service improvements
• City & Guilds qualification up to NVQ Level 3 or relevant trade experience
• Significant experience within the building, maintenance or repairs sector
• Full UK driving licence

Desired

• Experience working within a housing association or large social housing provider
• Additional experience across complementary trades

Benefits

At Lifestone Homes, we believe in creating an environment where our people feel valued, supported and inspired to grow. Our comprehensive benefits and rewards package reflects this commitment.

• Annual salary: £43,268 per annum
• 25 days holiday, increasing with service, plus Christmas closure and buy options
• Generous pension scheme – up to 9.5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice
• Family friendly leave: Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Health cash plan – claim up to £1,800 for everyday health costs (plus free kids' cover)
• Life cover and income protection
• Fully branded company van and fuel card provided for business use

And that's just the beginning! We're also thrilled to provide:

• Mental Health First Aiders available to support
• Car leasing via salary sacrifice (for permanent colleagues subject to conditions)
• Funded training, qualifications and apprenticeships
• 3 paid volunteering days in the local communities
• Peer recognition rewards platform
• Paid professional subscription (one per year)

Working Hours & Additional Pay

• 40 hours per week
• 08:00 - 17:00 Monday - Friday
• Participation in out of hours rota and emergency repair cover where required

Our Commitment

We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from underrepresented groups.

Accessibility and Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required.

Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made.

Please ensure you fully answer the questions on the application form.

Closing Date: 15th October, 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the closing date should we find a suitable candidate.