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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.
- Other info: Work Monday to Friday with occasional Saturdays; flexible hours between 8:00 and 19:00.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team, make a real impact, and enjoy a supportive work culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in maintenance is a plus; qualifications in plumbing or electrical systems are advantageous.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Maintenance Operative
Leeds
Permanent
Full-Time
We are looking for an experienced Maintenance Operative, with a solid background in general repair and maintenance, to join our 474-bed luxury student accommodation in the City Centre of Leeds.
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 on a rota basis.
- We require you to work 1 in 4 Saturday’s 8am to 5pm on a rota’d shift basis
- During our summer turnaround period, there may be the opportunity for overtime to support student check-in / check-out.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
- Paid overtime
- Pension scheme
- Life Assurance cover
- Employee assistance scheme
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 and capable.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your understanding of health and safety legislation. Since this role involves ensuring compliance with safety standards, being able to articulate your knowledge and experience in this area can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your problem-solving skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully handled maintenance issues in the past. This will showcase your ability to think on your feet and manage urgent situations effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Emphasise your teamwork abilities and willingness to support colleagues. Since the role requires collaboration with management and contractors, showing that you're a strong team player can make a positive impression during the selection process.
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, plumbing, electrical work, and any other skills mentioned in the job description. Use specific examples to demonstrate your expertise.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that addresses the key responsibilities of the Maintenance Operative role. Explain why you are passionate about providing excellent customer service and how your skills align with the company's values.
Highlight Health & Safety Knowledge: Since health and safety is crucial for this role, emphasise your understanding of health and safety legislation in your application. Mention any relevant qualifications or training you have completed.
Showcase Teamwork and Communication Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you have worked effectively in a team and communicated with colleagues or customers. This will demonstrate your ability to fit into the company culture.
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 and can manage risks effectively.
✨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.