Senior Reactive Maintenance Operative

Queen Alexandra College; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On site car parking

Cycle to Work Scheme

Fitness Centre access

Staff room facilities

Education Support

Job summary

Queen Alexandra College in Harborne, Birmingham, is seeking a Senior Reactive Maintenance Operative to join the Estates team. The role requires confidence across multiple trades, independence, and a track record of delivering high-quality work across residential and educational properties.

You will perform carpentry, painting, kitchen and bathroom installations, and plumbing, while ensuring health and safety compliance and accurate record-keeping.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in a relevant trade or equivalent.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Experience in a similar role, ideally in education or public sector.
• Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively.
• Able to plan, prioritise and work to deadlines.
• Good communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Multiskilled maintenance experience.
• Willingness to undertake further training and development.

Responsibilities

• Carry out reactive maintenance tasks across residential and educational properties.
• Perform reactive multi-trade duties including Carpentry, Painting and Decorating, Kitchen and Bathroom Installations, Plumbing.
• Diagnose and resolve maintenance issues efficiently.
• Ensure all work complies with health and safety regulations and company standards.
• Maintain accurate records of work completed.
• Liaise with tenants, clients, and team members professionally.
• Working at height to ensure installations can be carried out safely.
• Lone working, including use of a Lone Working app and fall sensor, will be required.
• Liaise with contractors and suppliers when necessary.
• Maintain a safe working environment and adhere to college health and safety policies.
• Carry out other Estates duties based on direction from your Line Manager.

Skills

NVQ Level 2

Driving licence

Maintenance experience

Independent worker

Time management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Multiskill trades

Training willingness

Education

NVQ Level 2 in a relevant trade

Tools

None

Job description

Senior Reactive Maintenance Operative

Application Deadline: 1 September 2026

Department: Estates

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Harborne, Birmingham, UK

Compensation: £26,843 - £33,836 / year

Description

Salary: £26,842.55 - £33836.23 per annum

Salary dependent on qualifications and experience

Hours: 37 hours per week

Plus minimum 1 week in 6 out of hours on call (paid as overtime)

Weeks: 52 Weeks per year

Contract: Permanent

Job Purpose

We are seeking a skilled and self-motivated Senior Reactive Maintenance Operative to join our maintenance team. The ideal candidate will be a confident all-rounder with proven experience across multiple trades, capable of working independently and delivering high-quality work.

Key Responsibilities & Safeguarding

• Carry out reactive maintenance tasks across residential and educational properties.
• Perform reactive multi-trade duties including:
  • Carpentry (e.g., door hanging, repairs)
  • Painting and Decorating
  • Kitchen and Bathroom Installations
  • Plumbing
• Diagnose and resolve maintenance issues efficiently.
• Ensure all work complies with health and safety regulations and company standards.
• Maintain accurate records of work completed.
• Liaise with tenants, clients, and team members professionally
• Working at height to ensure installations etc. can be carried out safely
• Lone working, including use of a Lone Working app and fall sensor, will be required.
• Liaise with contractors and suppliers when necessary.
• Maintain a safe working environment and adhere to college health and safety policies.
• Carry out other Estates duties based on direction from your Line Manager.

Safeguarding Commitments

As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, and in line with updated guidance published in September 2022, we will carry out an online search of all shortlisted candidates. This search may enable us to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and publicly available for review online, which we may wish to explore with you in further detail during the interview process. As part of your application we have asked you to provide the account names, usernames and/or handles for any social media platform that you use, as well as the names of any websites that you own, post on, or contribute to. A Google search will also be conducted. These checks will only be conducted if you are shortlisted for interview. Please see our safer recruitment and selection policy for further information.

Under Section 7 of SVGA 2006 it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The College's Safeguarding Policies are available here.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Criteria

• NVQ Level 2 in a relevant trade (e.g., Carpentry, Plumbing, Multi-skills)
• Full UK driving licence
• Experience in a similar role, ideally in education or public sector
• Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively
• Able to plan, prioritise and work to deadlines
• Good communication skills
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Multi-skilled maintenance experience
• Willingness to undertake further training and development

For further information on person specification please read the job description attached

Benefits

Join Our Business Support Services Team

Behind every successful service at QAC is a dedicated team of professionals providing the essential support that enables our students, clients, staff, and visitors to thrive. We are looking for talented and committed individuals to join our Business Support Services teams across a range of specialist areas.

Our Business Support functions play a vital role in ensuring the smooth, safe, and efficient operation of the charity. Whether supporting people, finances, technology, facilities, or frontline customer services, every role contributes to our mission of empowering people with disabilities to achieve greater independence and fulfilment.

Our Business Support Services is built up of:

• Human Resources (HR) - Supporting recruitment, employee wellbeing, learning and development, employee relations, and ensuring colleagues have the support they need to succeed.
• Finance - Providing financial management, budgeting, payroll, procurement, and financial administration services that help the organisation operate effectively and sustainably.
• Reception and Customer Services - Creating a welcoming and professional first impression for students, clients, visitors, and stakeholders, while providing information, support, and administrative assistance.
• Health and Safety - Promoting a culture of safety and wellbeing, ensuring compliance with legislation and supporting the creation of safe environments across our campus and services.
• Estates and Facilities - Maintaining our buildings, grounds, accommodation, and facilities to ensure they remain safe, accessible, and fit for purpose.
• IT and Resources - Delivering technology solutions, technical support, assistive technologies, and learning resources that enable staff, students, and clients to work, learn, and live independently.

Working within our Business Support teams offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to an organisation with a strong social purpose. While these roles may not involve direct support delivery, they are fundamental to ensuring our services run effectively and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of the people we support.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a collaborative and values-driven organisation where your skills and expertise will help drive excellence across the charity.

If you are professional, proactive, and passionate about making a difference behind the scenes, we'd love to hear from you.

Our benefits include; Schedule 1 Benefits (reviewed annually and/or as appropriate)

• Access to on site car parking
• Use of QAC Fitness Centre (subject to opening hours)
• Cycle to Work Scheme (Salary Sacrifice)
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme Helpline (BHSF)
• Access to Education Support Free Helpline for Teachers & Education Staff
• QAC Mental Health First Aiders & activities to support health and wellbeing
• BHSF Benefits Package including Healthcare Plans, discounted shopping/services
• Annual Flu vaccination/voucher
• Access to other benefit/discount schemes (which may be subject to charge) e.g. Blue Light Card, TOTUM (NUS), Charity Worker Discounts, Discounts for Teachers
• Dell Advantage programme - a free programme that offers savings to students, parents and all staff at QAC - up to 20% off. https://www.dell.com/en-uk/lp/dell-advantage
• Health and Wellbeing Services (Occupational Health/Counselling)
• Free Tea/Coffee and Staff Room facilities
• Dining Room facilities with hot/cold food (free meal provided for those supporting students at mealtimes)
• Additional discretionary concessionary/closure days as part of leave entitlement (including closure over Christmas/New Year period)
• Reward and Recognition Policy - Living the Values Awards (team & individual) and long service
• Enhanced/Occupational paid leave e.g. maternity/paternity (subject to qualifying criteria)
• Occupational sick pay (based on length of service)On site wellbeing activities (e.g. yoga, meditation)
• Support for training/ CPD (either by way of study leave and/or funding)
• Flexible working arrangements including Flexible Working Policy Agreements, Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) in prior agreement with line manager.

This list is not exhaustive and may be subject to review and/or change.