At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a skilled team in delivering top-notch gas and plumbing repairs.
- Company: Join Reading Borough Council, a diverse and inclusive employer.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, flexible working, and a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Gas & Plumbing professional with strong technical and people skills.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a collaborative team.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Lead the way as our Gas & Plumbing Trade Supervisor! We’re looking for an experienced, knowledgeable and supportive leader to guide our skilled team of gas engineers, plumbers and specialist subcontractors. If you’re passionate about quality workmanship, great service and developing others, this is a fantastic opportunity to take the next step in your career.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About The Role
Based at our Bennet Road depot in Reading (RG2 0QX), you’ll be the technical lead and first point of contact for all things gas and plumbing within the Housing Repairs team. You’ll lead, support and develop a team of gas engineers, plumbers and specialist subcontractors, helping them deliver safe, high‑quality repairs, servicing and maintenance. Your mix of technical expertise and people skills will ensure work is completed safely, efficiently and with pride.
We’re looking for a qualified Gas & Plumbing professional with up-to-date domestic gas certifications, including CCN1, CENWAT, CKR1, HTR1 and CPA1, covering areas such as boiler and water heater servicing, gas cooker installation, gas fire maintenance and combustion analysis.
Responsibilities
- Allocate gas and plumbing jobs and manage work scheduling
- Supervise staff on site, ensuring workloads are prioritised effectively
- Monitor quality, productivity and compliance across all gas and plumbing works
- Carry out toolbox talks, skills assessments, 1:1s and van stock checks
- Ensure safe use of equipment, materials and vehicles
- Plan work programmes so repairs and servicing are completed on time and in the right order
- Identify training needs and support staff development
- Ensure all health and safety and gas safety policies are followed
- Provide technical guidance, coaching and support to your team
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across Repairs & Maintenance to deliver a consistent service
About You
You’ll bring strong technical experience as a Gas Engineer or Plumber, backed by a recognised trade apprenticeship or City & Guilds qualification. You’ll have a solid understanding of gas and plumbing repairs, installations, servicing and compliance, with the confidence to apply regulations and industry standards to ensure safe, high‑quality work across our housing stock.
Just as important as your technical skills is your ability to lead and communicate. You’ll be someone who can motivate, support and organise others, building strong working relationships across teams. You’ll have good commercial awareness and an understanding of how performance, KPIs and service standards contribute to an effective repairs service. You’ll feel comfortable assessing the work of others, setting clear expectations and providing constructive feedback. You’ll also be confident using IT systems and handheld technology to manage workflows, and you’ll be motivated to help the team continuously improve. Above all, you’ll be a supportive, approachable and professional leader who takes pride in both the work delivered and the people you manage.
Our Values and Behaviours
- Work Together as one team – work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
- Drive Efficiency – show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
- Be Ambitious – be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
- Make a Difference to Reading – maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our Offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
Benefits
- Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On‑site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
For more information on this position please contact Sean Donaghue, Assistant Housing Repairs and Maintenance Manager.
Closing Date: Thursday 29th January 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interviews to take place in person at 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX
Trade Supervisor (Gas and Plumbing) - Housing Repairs Team in England employer: Reading Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Reading Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trade Supervisor (Gas and Plumbing) - Housing Repairs Team in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the gas and plumbing industry, attend local events, or join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your past projects, certifications, and any positive feedback from previous employers. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your expertise in gas and plumbing.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by rehearsing common questions related to leadership, technical skills, and team management. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Reading Borough Council. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Trade Supervisor (Gas and Plumbing) - Housing Repairs Team in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your technical expertise in gas and plumbing. We want to see your qualifications and experience shine through, so don’t hold back on showcasing what you can bring to the table!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to read through the job description and align your application with what we’re looking for. Use similar language and focus on how your experience matches the responsibilities and values we’ve outlined.
Be Personable: We’re not just looking for a list of qualifications; we want to know about you as a leader! Share examples of how you’ve motivated and developed teams in the past. Let your personality come through in your writing!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to gas and plumbing. Be ready to discuss your certifications like CCN1, CENWAT, CKR1, HTR1, and CPA1. They’ll want to see that you can apply regulations and industry standards effectively.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past. Think about times when you motivated others or handled conflicts. This role is all about supporting and developing your team, so be ready to showcase your people skills.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service standards relevant to the role. Being able to discuss how these metrics impact the efficiency of the repairs service will show that you’re commercially aware and ready to drive improvements.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like managing workloads or ensuring compliance. Think through potential scenarios in advance and prepare your responses to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and commitment to safety.
