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- Tasks: Join us as a Maintenance Operative, tackling repairs and ensuring our spaces shine.
- Company: Square Gardens by Downing Living offers sustainable living with lush green spaces and exclusive amenities.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 25 days holiday, paid overtime, and a company pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team, making a real impact on residents' lives in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in maintenance is a plus; qualifications in plumbing or electrical systems are advantageous.
- Other info: Work Monday to Friday with occasional Saturdays; enjoy a supportive and collaborative workplace culture.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
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.
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 14 operational student accommodation schemes in 10 major cities, with a further £1.6bn of upcoming developments in our pipeline.
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, lightening 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.
Key Requirements
- 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.
Hours of Work
- Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm or 9am to 6pm.
- We require you to work 1 in 4 Saturday’s 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
25 days holiday
Bank holidays
Life assurance cover
Mental health support
Company pension contribution
Work for us
Our people are our success and there has never been a more exciting time to join Downing as it enters the most significant expansion for three decades.
Our team is united in a mutual respect and a desire to move the business forward. Here you’ll find all our latest job vacancies. If you’re excited by opportunity and want to be valued for your contribution, take a look at what we currently have available.
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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 plumbing, electrical work, and joinery. Being able to discuss your hands-on experience or knowledge in these areas during an interview will show that you're well-prepared for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your understanding of health and safety legislation. Be ready to share examples of how you've implemented safety measures in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Maintenance Operative position.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your problem-solving skills by preparing examples of past challenges you've faced in maintenance roles and how you resolved them. This will showcase your ability to think on your feet and handle emergencies effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Emphasise your teamwork and communication skills. Since you'll be working closely with management and other team members, being able to convey your collaborative spirit and how you support colleagues will make you a more attractive candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Maintenance Operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in maintenance tasks such as plumbing, electrical work, and joinery. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of health and safety legislation and your ability to respond to maintenance requests promptly. Mention your previous experience and how it aligns with the role at Square Gardens.
Highlight Customer Service Skills: Since the role involves providing a high level of service to residents, emphasise your customer service skills in both your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you've successfully interacted with customers in past roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Downing
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Make sure to highlight your experience with plumbing, electrical work, and general maintenance during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific tasks you've completed in these areas, as well as any relevant qualifications you hold.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Employers are looking for candidates who can think on their feet. Prepare examples of past situations where you successfully identified a problem and implemented a solution, especially under pressure.
✨Emphasise Health and Safety Knowledge
Since health and safety is crucial in this role, be ready to discuss your understanding of relevant legislation and how you have applied it in previous positions. This will show that you take safety seriously.
✨Exhibit Strong Communication Skills
As a Maintenance Operative, you'll need to interact with residents and contractors. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, and be prepared to demonstrate your customer service skills during the interview.
