At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to keep student homes safe and welcoming through hands-on maintenance.
- Company: Colby River Student Living, dedicated to creating comfortable student accommodation.
- Benefits: Earn £14.48 per hour with potential bonuses and flexible hours.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by ensuring their homes are well-maintained.
- Qualifications: Experience in maintenance roles and strong problem-solving skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 14.48 - 14.48 £ per hour.
Help us create safe, welcoming homes for our students.
Shift Pattern - 22.5 hours a week covering Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to meet business needs.
At Colby River Student Living, we provide purpose-built student accommodation communities where residents can feel safe, comfortable and at home. We are looking for a practical, reliable and customer-focused Maintenance Operative for our Student Accommodation Development, The Barn, in Exeter to join our Operations team and help keep our buildings running at their best. This is a varied, hands-on role where no two days are quite the same. From completing everyday repairs and planned maintenance to carrying out safety checks and supporting our busy summer turnaround, you'll play an important part in the experience our residents have with us.
What you'll be doing:
- Working closely with our site teams, you'll take responsibility for a range of maintenance and caretaking activities across one or more of our student living locations.
- Completing planned and reactive maintenance and repairs.
- Helping maintain our buildings, grounds and communal areas to a high standard.
- Tackling practical repairs including plumbing, doors, guttering, electrical and general building maintenance where appropriately qualified and competent.
- Carrying out and recording PAT testing and other statutory checks where trained and certified.
- Identifying potential safety issues and making sure they are dealt with quickly.
- Supporting contractors on site and checking work has been completed to the required standard.
- Keeping accurate maintenance and compliance records.
- Managing materials and stock effectively and helping control maintenance costs.
- Providing practical support during our important summer turnaround period.
- Keeping residents informed about repairs, access and progress.
- Supporting the wider site team during urgent incidents and busy periods.
Most importantly, you'll take pride in keeping our student homes safe, presentable and running smoothly.
About you:
You'll be someone who enjoys solving problems and getting things fixed properly. You'll be comfortable working independently but equally happy being part of a busy accommodation team. Ideally, you'll bring:
- Previous experience in a maintenance or facilities role, preferably within student accommodation, residential property, hospitality or another large operational building.
- Around three years' experience in a similar maintenance position.
- Good general building and maintenance knowledge.
- An understanding of planned and reactive maintenance.
- Strong practical problem-solving skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- A professional, friendly and resident-focused approach.
- The ability to organise your workload and meet deadlines.
- Confidence working with contractors, colleagues and residents.
- Basic IT skills, including Microsoft applications.
A plumbing, electrical or building-related qualification would be particularly welcome. Commercial plumbing, Part P electrical and PAT testing qualifications would also be advantageous. You don't necessarily need every qualification listed. What matters is that you have the practical experience, attitude and understanding to work safely and recognise when a job needs to be escalated to a specialist.
A role where you can make a visible difference:
Our Maintenance Operatives are an important part of the resident experience. A quick repair, a well-maintained communal area or simply keeping someone informed when something goes wrong can make a real difference to how students feel about their home. You'll work alongside colleagues across our accommodation teams, helping us deliver buildings we're proud of and a service our residents can rely on.
A DBS check will be completed following a successful appointment where required.
What We Offer:
- £14.48 an hour.
- Annual discretionary bonus.
- Other benefits to be discussed at the interview.
Maintenance Technician - The Barn - Exeter in Heavitree employer: Colby River
Colby River is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a competitive salary and a range of benefits including an annual discretionary bonus and generous leave entitlement. Our collaborative work culture in Altrincham fosters professional development, allowing you to play a vital role in shaping high-quality residential communities while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model after probation. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering outstanding service and creating sustainable value for our residents and investors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Maintenance Technician - The Barn - Exeter in Heavitree
✨Join Local Trade Associations
Get involved with local trade associations or unions relevant to your field – they often have job boards and networking opportunities. This is a great way for us to get our foot in the door and meet folks who already work in the industry.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that showcases your best work, whether that's before-and-after photos of projects or testimonials from past clients. Let’s make your skills visible online and offline, helping potential employers see what you can do!
✨Network at Local Events
Attend local job fairs or trade shows – these are gold mines for making connections in the skilled trades. Speak to the booths and don’t be shy about handing out your CV. We never know who might be looking for part-time help!
✨Utilise Social Media Communities
Join groups on social media platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn that are focused on skilled trades. Engaging with these communities can lead to job opportunities, and sometimes even gigs that aren’t publicly advertised. Let's put ourselves out there and connect!
We think you need these skills to ace Maintenance Technician - The Barn - Exeter in Heavitree
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Experience:In the skilled trades, your on-the-job experience speaks volumes. Make sure to highlight any apprenticeships, relevant projects, or even DIY jobs you've tackled. Specifics about tools you've used or methods you've mastered can really set you apart.
Include Certifications:If you’ve got any trade-specific certifications or licenses, feature them prominently in your CV. These are often essential in our field and show you're serious about your craft. Don't forget to mention any ongoing training too – it shows your commitment to learning!
Express Your Flexibility:Since this is a part-time role, it's crucial to emphasise your availability in your cover letter. Let Colby River know when you can work and that you’re open to different shifts. Being flexible can be a major selling point for part-time positions!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure you customise your CV and cover letter for Maintenance Technician - The Barn - Exeter at Colby River. Mention specific skills that align with the job description – whether it's carpentry, plumbing, or electrical work, showing you’ve done your homework makes a great impression.
How to prepare for a job interview at Colby River
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Skills
In the skilled trades, it’s all about showing what you can do! Bring along a portfolio of your previous work – think photos of projects, testimonials from past employers, or even a list of tools you’re comfortable using. This will give a tangible proof of your expertise and show that you’re ready to hit the ground running with Colby River.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect some hands-on questions during your interview. The interviewer might ask you how you’d tackle specific job scenarios. Brush up on techniques and tools relevant to your trade, and think through solutions for common challenges you’ve faced in the past. We want you to demonstrate not only your knowledge but also your problem-solving skills!
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since it's a part-time position, it's crucial to emphasise your adaptability. Be ready to discuss how your schedule can fit in with the needs of Colby River. If you’re available for emergencies or extra hours, let them know – this flexibility can set you apart from other candidates who may only want to stick to a strict schedule.
✨Communicate Your Learning Attitude
As a part-time worker, demonstrating your willingness to learn and adapt is key. Share examples of how you've picked up new skills in previous roles or training sessions. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job to fill some time, but that you’re genuinely interested in growing within the skilled trades sector with Colby River.