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- Tasks: Join us as a Maintenance Operative, tackling repairs and ensuring our spaces are top-notch.
- 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, 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.
- Other info: Work Monday to Friday with occasional Saturdays; flexible hours between 8:00 and 19:00.
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, 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.
- 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays (that’s 33 days)
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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 and capable.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your understanding of health and safety legislation, as this is crucial for the role. Be ready to share examples of how you've implemented safety measures in previous jobs, which will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a safe environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills by preparing examples of past challenges you've faced in maintenance roles. Discussing how you prioritised tasks and met deadlines will illustrate your ability to work under pressure, which is essential for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Emphasise your customer service skills, as the role involves interacting with residents. Prepare to talk about how you've handled customer queries or complaints in the past, showcasing your ability to maintain a positive relationship with clients.
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 how your previous experiences align with the duties listed, such as handling repairs and ensuring health and safety compliance.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have qualifications in plumbing, joinery, or electrical systems, be sure to mention these prominently in your application. This will show that you meet the preferred criteria for the position.
Showcase Customer Service Skills: Since the role involves providing a high level of service to residents, include examples of your customer service experience. Highlight your communication skills and ability to work well in a team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Downing
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Make sure to highlight your experience in plumbing, electrical work, and general maintenance during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific tasks you've completed in these areas and how they relate to the responsibilities of the Maintenance Operative role.
✨Demonstrate Health and Safety Knowledge
Since health and safety is a crucial aspect of this job, be ready to talk about your understanding of relevant legislation and how you have applied it in previous roles. Providing examples of how you've handled safety issues will show your commitment to maintaining a safe environment.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication
This role requires working closely with management and other team members. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in past positions, and highlight your communication skills, especially in customer service scenarios.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think of situations where you've had to troubleshoot maintenance issues or manage tight deadlines, and be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes of your actions.
