At a Glance
- 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 with over 35 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, paid overtime, and a pension scheme, plus more perks!
- Other info: Work Monday to Friday with occasional Saturdays; flexible hours available during summer.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team, making a real difference in students' lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in maintenance, with skills in plumbing, joinery, or electrical systems preferred.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Maintenance Operative
Vauxhall - London
Full-Time
Permanent
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:
- Competitive salary.
- 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays.
- Paid overtime.
- Pension scheme.
- Life Assurance cover.
- Employee Assistance Scheme.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Maintenance Operative in Slough
✨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 showcase your hands-on skills and problem-solving abilities.
We think you need these skills to ace Maintenance Operative in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Read the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and requirements for the Maintenance Operative position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience and skills that match what Downing is looking for.
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 maintenance tasks or customer service situations in the past.
Showcase Your Skills:Make sure to mention your proficiency with business operating systems like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. If you have any relevant qualifications, such as in plumbing or joinery, be sure to include these as well.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter:Write a compelling cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also demonstrates your understanding of the importance of health and safety in maintenance work. Show your enthusiasm for providing excellent customer service to students.
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 this 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 resolved issues in previous roles.
✨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 positions and how you would apply this knowledge in the new role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think of scenarios where you had to prioritise tasks or handle unexpected maintenance issues, and be ready to explain your thought process and actions.
