Workshop Technician

Location

The role will be based in Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Job summary

Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crisis? Forest Research (FR) is all about giving top quality evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners to make a positive impact on the ground. Internationally recognised, we need people who have the skills and passion to work on excellent science and provide practical solutions for nature.

We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways. Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our planet. You will find us a flexible and inclusive employer, so you can have a work life balance that is tailor-made to your circumstances. So, whether it’s climate or carbon, pests or pathogens, behaviour or biodiversity that interests you, you can be assured of a warm welcome to the team. To find out more please visit our website.

This position will be part of our Programmes and Estates team, which delivers a broad spectrum of essential services to the entire organisation. The team covers health and safety, quality, and environmental management, and holds responsibility for various ISO accreditations and Greening Government commitments.

Job description

The successful applicant will be responsible for:

•  Planning and coordinating engineering projects

•  Supervising teams of FR staff and external contractors

•  Developing and implementing strategies to facilitate and support research activities

•  Ensuring the ongoing suitability of facilities in collaboration with the Facilities Manager

Building strong working relationships across the organisation and with external contractors is crucial for this role.

To support our science teams, the successful applicant will be expected to perform engineering tasks such as fabrication, installation, commissioning, fault finding, and repairs as needed.

Health and safety, along with ISO14001 standards, play a significant role throughout Forest Research. The postholder will ensure that contractors and staff adhere to the correct standards.

Person specification

• Support the day to day running of the site and general building maintenance repairs

• Oversee and support daily operations to ensure compliance with all building and workplace regulations, providing a safe and high-quality working environment

• Plan and deliver both scheduled and reactive maintenance programs

• Assist science teams with engineering tasks such as fabrication, installation, commissioning, fault finding, and repairs as needed

• Assist management in ensuring procedures are in place to meet all facilities' legal and other obligations, including, health & safety, fire safety, building structures, accessibility, asbestos management, Legionnaires’ disease, The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.

•  Support the Health and Safety Management System by overseeing risk assessments, monitoring action records, and implementing overarching arrangements with resumption systems.

•  Maintain equipment and supplies to meet health and safety standards

• Support a small in-house team and a wide range of contractors and suppliers, including supervision of installations

• Serve as a visible presence and the first point of contact for FR staff, tenants, and other customers, providing a high-quality and responsive facility management service

• Proactively support FR's Environmental Management System for energy, waste, and water management to ensure ongoing ISO14001 certification, environmental best practices, and support for the Greening Government Initiative.

• Provide support for the management of ongoing capital investment projects, including supervision and acting as the point of contact for contractors.

Essential Criteria:

•  A relevant engineering or trade qualification, e.g. SVQ Level 3 Modern Apprenticeship or equivalent City & Guilds / NVQ  

•  Proficiency in MS Office Suite

•  Confidently able to work with FR science teams to design, fabricate and fault find on engineering projects               

•  Experience with building operation systems (e.g. electrical wiring systems or air conditioning or building management systems etc)

•  Demonstrable experience of working in complex contract and customer environment 

•  Demonstrable understanding of compliance with statutory, regulatory and professional requirements

•  Experience working in a varied commercial environment 

•  Ability to multi-task and deliver minor works projects within budget in conjunction with the wider team and contractors.

•  Able to regularly handle/carry items

A full driving licence is required. The Workshop technician will be required to move materials around the site and from time to time collect goods from external suppliers.

Closing date: 11:55 pm on Sunday 15th June 2025

For more detail and to apply please click the apply link.