Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide hands-on maintenance support across NHS properties, including painting and repairs.
- Company: Join Apleona UK, a leading facilities management provider with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company vehicle, fuel card, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for growth within a transforming company.
- Why this job: Make a difference in the community while developing your skills in a dynamic role.
- Qualifications: Experience in painting, DIY skills, and a customer-focused attitude required.
The predicted salary is between 29827 - 29827 £ per year.
Location: Maidstone
Salary: Up to £29,827 per annum plus company vehicle and fuel card
Contract Type: Full time – Permanent, 42.5hrs per week, Monday to Friday
Mears Group has recently agreed the sale of its Facilities Management business (Morrison Facilities Services) to Apleona UK, a leading facilities management provider. This role sits within Morrison Facilities Services, part of Apleona UK, and offers an excellent opportunity to join the business at an exciting time of transformation, growth, and investment.
About Apleona UK
Apleona delivers high-quality facilities services across a wide range of sites and communities. We are committed to service excellence, safety, and continuous improvement, supporting some of the UK’s most critical environments.
About Our Clients
- Kent and Medway Mental Health Trust (including CYPMHS) (KMMH) - Providing inpatient and outpatient mental health services across Kent and Medway, including services for children, young people, older adults, forensic and specialist care. The Trust operates across approximately 68 sites, delivering 24/7, 365‑day patient services.
- Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) - One of the largest community health providers in England, employing approximately 5,700 staff and serving a population of 1.4 million people across Kent, East Sussex, and parts of London. This contract includes 33 sites, made up of local GPs, sexual health clinics, dentists, and community‑based care centres.
About The Role
We are looking for a Maintenance Operative to join our team here in Kent. This role involves providing reliable, hands‑on support across a range of NHS properties in Kent, including mental health units. The Maintenance Operative will carry out painting and decorating, general DIY tasks, and basic repairs, supporting the wider Maintenance Services team as needed. You will also assist MSOs with day‑to‑day duties and act as a chaperone when required, offering an additional pair of eyes to ensure safety, security, and compliance while work is being completed on site.
Key Criteria
- Experience in Painting and Decorating to a high standard
- General DIY knowledge and experience
- Provide your own hand tools
- Comfortable working within challenging behaviour / mental health units
- Excellent communication skills with a customer‑focused approach
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Comfortable using handheld devices or digital job management systems
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to safe working practices
- Flexible and willing to travel across Kent
- Full UK driving licence
All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK. Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship. To drive a Mears vehicle, you must be aged over 21, have held your licence over 3 months and have less than 9 points. Candidates should be aware that all our roles are subject to relevant Background, Identity.
Maintenance Operative in Kent employer: Mears Group PLC
Contact Detail:
Mears Group PLC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Maintenance Operative in Kent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to friends, family, and former colleagues to let them know you're on the hunt for a Maintenance Operative role. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your hands dirty! If you can, volunteer for maintenance tasks in your community or local organisations. This not only builds your skills but also shows potential employers that you're proactive and passionate about what you do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to maintenance and DIY tasks. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at Apleona UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Maintenance Operative in Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience in painting, decorating, and general DIY tasks. We want to see how your skills match up with what we need for the Maintenance Operative role!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take a moment to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the key criteria mentioned in the job description. It shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your experience and qualifications shine through without any fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mears Group PLC
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your painting and decorating skills, as well as general DIY knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how you tackled challenges, especially in environments like mental health units.
✨Show Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves working with a variety of people, practice how you'll communicate effectively. Think about examples where you've demonstrated excellent customer service or teamwork, and be prepared to share those stories.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect some hands-on questions or scenarios during the interview. They might ask how you'd handle a specific maintenance issue or how you'd ensure safety while working. Think through your approach and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
This job requires travelling across Kent, so emphasise your willingness to adapt and your driving experience. Share any past experiences where you've had to be flexible or work independently, as this will show you're a great fit for the role.