Plant Room Operative

University of York; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected educational institution in York is seeking a mechanically biased tradesperson to maintain its infrastructure and equipment. The role focuses on the university's district heating network, requiring knowledge of HVAC systems. Candidates must have an NVQ in Heating and Ventilation and experience with commercial systems. This position offers opportunities for overtime and a range of perks, including generous annual leave and health support.

Benefits

38 days annual leave

Generous pension benefits

Access to discounts and services

Opportunity for overtime

Family friendly policies

Comprehensive health and wellbeing support

Uniform

Tools supplied

Professional qualifications support

Learning and development opportunities

Opportunities for progression

Qualifications

• Must have NVQ (or equivalent) in Heating and Ventilation.
• Hands-on experience with complex heating and ventilation systems is necessary.
• Experienced with Building Environment Management Systems required.
• Knowledge of air handling units and Low Electrical Voltage systems is a plus.
• Experience with commercial heating and Hot Water systems is essential.

Responsibilities

• Maintain University buildings' infrastructure and equipment.
• Pay attention to large district heating network and energy centres.
• Provide specialist assistance within a multi-discipline maintenance team.
• Assist in out of hours support for critical infrastructure.

Skills

Hands-on skills

Strong customer focus

Knowledge of modern technologies and control systems

Experience with Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems

Education

NVQ (or equivalent) in Heating and Ventilation

Tools

Building Environment Management Systems

Air handling units

Low Electrical Voltage systems

Commercial heating systems

Hot Water systems

Job description

This role is part of the Estates Operations & Maintenance team within the Directorate of Technology, Estates & Facilities (DTEF). The team includes fully qualified and semi-skilled colleagues, who work alongside the University's technical team as support on central utility infrastructure projects.

This role requires a mechanically biased tradesperson to safely maintain the University buildings’ infrastructure and equipment. You will be required to pay particular attention to the University's large district heating network that includes two energy centres containing natural gas boilers and a Combined Heat and Power plant.

You will have hands‑on skills, strong customer focus and good knowledge of modern technologies and control systems. It is expected that you will improve the reliability of our equipment and operations. You will also provide specialist assistance and cross‑skills support within our multi‑discipline maintenance team. It is essential that you have experience of working with commercial Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems.

As part of a motivated self‑managed team, we offer:

• 38 days annual leave
• Generous pension benefits
• Access to discounts and services
• Opportunity for overtime
• Family friendly policies and flexible approach to working patterns
• Comprehensive health and wellbeing support including an Employee Assistance Scheme
• Uniform
• Tools will be supplied along with access to a vehicle on campus
• Supported to maintain your professional qualifications
• Learning and development opportunities
• Opportunities for progression

On occasions, you may be required to provide out of hours support and assistance. For example: in the event of loss of services or an incident that may impact the business or the smooth running or continuance of key infrastructure to the campus.

We largely operate core hours Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm, but during periods of high demand the team is expected to work flexibly to ensure continuity of service. As part of the roll you will on occasion be expected to be called out to attend to business critical issues out of hours and at weekends, with overtime paid.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• NVQ (or equivalent) in Heating and Ventilation
• Knowledge of and hands on experience of working with complex heating and ventilation systems
• Knowledge of and hands on experience of working with Building Environment Management Systems
• Knowledge of and hand on experience of working with air handling units and Low Electrical Voltage systems
• Knowledge of and hands on experience of working with commercial heating and Hot Water systems
• Evidence of upholding our behaviours as detailed in the Person Specification within the accompanying Job Description.

Interview date:to be confirmed

If you’d like to hear more about the role or have any questions, please contact our Estates Maintenance Zone Manager Alan Willits via email [e-mail] or telephone [phone] for an informal discussion.