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- Tasks: Join us as a Maintenance Operative, ensuring our student accommodation is in top shape.
- Company: Downing is a leading developer of luxury student accommodation across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, paid overtime, and a pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team, making a real difference in students' lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in maintenance and a relevant qualification in plumbing, joinery, or electrical systems preferred.
- Other info: Work Monday to Friday with occasional Saturdays; flexible hours available.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Downing are an award-winning leading developer, owner, and operator of bespoke, luxury student accommodation, residential and commercial property across the UK. We have been operating for over 35 years and currently have 13 operational student accommodation schemes in 9 major cities, with a further £1.6bn of upcoming developments in our pipeline.
We are looking for a Maintenance Operative to join our team responsible for our Student Accommodation Scheme with 578 beds comprising superior en-suite student bedrooms and exceptional studio apartments in Vauxhall, London.
As a Maintenance Operative, you will be responsible for delivering the best experience to our customers by providing a pro-active and responsive repair and maintenance service, ensuring that faults and maintenance requests within the accommodation are dealt with in a timely manner.
Key Responsibilities:- Exercise initiative in providing excellent customer service, liaising effectively with Managers and other colleagues.
- Liaise with and monitor onsite contractors to ensure completion of work.
- Be responsible for the day to day reactive and preventative maintenance.
- Be responsible for the planned maintenance including fire alarm testing, emergency lighting testing, fire extinguisher checks, water hygiene flushing/temperature monitoring, shower head descaling and health & safety checks.
- Undertake regular building patrols to identify any maintenance requirements or Health and Safety risks.
- Undertake scheduled flat inspections and complete all resultant actions in a timely manner.
- Record, log and monitor any maintenance issues that may arise within the maintenance logbook.
- Ensure that maintenance records are kept for all services, including gas safety inspections, lightning protection systems, fall arrest systems, PAT testing and fixed wiring certification.
- Ensure that all Property Documentation Files are accurately maintained and up to date.
- Adherence to H&S policy ensuring that Risk Assessments and Method Statements are obtained/maintained and that safe systems of work are followed, including Permit to Work and hot works permits.
- Always interact with students professionally, showing empathy towards any maintenance issues you may find and understanding that this is their home.
- Report any welfare issues to a manager immediately.
- Take ownership of responsibilities and display pride in work carried out.
- Have a thorough understanding of Health & Safety legislation and the impact of the works being undertaken.
- Hold a relevant qualification in either plumbing, joinery, or electrical systems if possible.
- Have previous experience of domestic electrical/plumbing/general maintenance.
- Have intermediate level skills in business operating systems including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Have demonstrable experience of effective communication both orally and in writing.
- Have the ability to prioritise your own workload.
- Work within a team to cover reception/admin duties and gain a knowledge of the student booking system.
Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm or 9am to 6pm. We require you to work 1 in 4 Saturdays 8am to 5pm on a rota’d shift basis, with hours given back in lieu the following week. During our summer turnaround period, we may require additional support to cover additional hours.
Benefits:- Competitive salary
- 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays (that’s 33 days)
- Paid overtime
- Pension scheme
- Life Assurance cover
- Employee Assistance Scheme
Maintenance Operative employer: Downing
Contact Detail:
Downing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Maintenance Operative
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific maintenance tasks mentioned in the job description, such as fire alarm testing and health & safety checks. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the role during any interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your customer service skills by preparing examples of how you've effectively communicated with clients or colleagues in previous roles. This is crucial for a Maintenance Operative who needs to interact with students professionally.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Downing and their student accommodation schemes to understand their values and what they prioritise in maintenance. Tailoring your conversation to reflect this knowledge can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with relevant qualifications in plumbing, joinery, or electrical systems. Highlight any specific projects or tasks that demonstrate your hands-on skills and ability to take ownership of responsibilities.
We think you need these skills to ace Maintenance Operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the key responsibilities and requirements for the Maintenance Operative position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these expectations.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous experience in maintenance, plumbing, or electrical work. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully handled similar tasks or challenges in the past.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since effective communication is crucial for this role, make sure to demonstrate your communication skills in your application. Use clear and concise language, and consider including examples of how you've effectively communicated with colleagues or customers in previous roles.
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Craft a personalised cover letter that addresses the specific needs of Downing. Mention your understanding of health and safety legislation and your commitment to providing excellent customer service, as these are key aspects of the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Downing
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Make sure to highlight any relevant qualifications or experience you have in plumbing, joinery, or electrical systems. Be prepared to discuss specific maintenance tasks you've handled in the past and how you approached them.
✨Demonstrate Customer Service Skills
Since the role involves interacting with students, it's crucial to show that you can provide excellent customer service. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated with clients or customers in previous roles, especially in resolving issues.
✨Understand Health & Safety Regulations
Familiarise yourself with health and safety legislation relevant to maintenance work. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your previous roles and how you would approach safety checks and risk assessments.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think of scenarios where you had to prioritise tasks or deal with unexpected maintenance issues, and be ready to explain your thought process and actions.
