Gas and Plumbing Engineer - Housing Repairs Team

We’re looking for a skilled, caring and reliable Gas and Plumbing Engineer to join our Housing Repairs Team and make a real difference to people’s homes and lives across Reading.

You’ll be a vital part of keeping our residents safe, comfortable and warm, carrying out repair, maintenance and installation work in both occupied and vacant properties throughout the borough. This is a hands‑on role where your expertise truly matters – every job you complete helps someone feel safer and more settled in their home.

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 part of a friendly, supportive and professional team delivering essential gas and plumbing services to our tenants.

Your day‑to‑day work will include

• Carrying out gas repairs, servicing and plumbing works in line with legislation and safety standards
• Diagnosing faults on domestic and commercial gas and plumbing systems
• Completing installations and upgrades as required
• Carrying out minor electrical adjustments within your competence
• Ordering materials and managing supplies through approved channels
• Leaving each property safe, tidy and respected

You’ll have ownership of your workload, tools, van stock and materials, working efficiently while maintaining the high standards our tenants expect. Accurate record‑keeping is also an important part of the role, ensuring transparency and accountability in everything you do.

Above all, we expect a respectful, professional and considerate approach when working in residents’ homes – you’ll often be supporting people at stressful moments, so empathy and patience are key.

About You

• You’ll be a qualified Gas Engineer / Plumber with a recognised apprenticeship and City & Guilds or NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent).
• You’ll hold current ACS qualifications (including CCN1 and relevant elements) and be Gas Safe registered, or able to become registered.
• You’ll have strong experience working in occupied properties, with confidence in diagnosing faults and carrying out repairs and installations on domestic and commercial systems. You’ll be comfortable working independently, planning your workload and meeting deadlines.
• Just as important as your technical skills is your approach to people. You’ll be a clear communicator who can stay calm, professional and understanding in challenging situations.
• You’ll enjoy both independent working and being part of a team, and you’ll take pride in delivering safe, high‑quality work with excellent customer care.

What we’re looking for

• Gas Safe registered with relevant domestic and commercial experience
• Proven ability to safely install, maintain and repair gas appliances and heating systems
• Experience working in occupied properties with a customer‑focused mindset
• Calm, professional and empathetic approach with residents
• Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Full UK driving licence
• Willingness to work flexibly, including out‑of‑hours emergencies

Our vision

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

• 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.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• 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
• Modern working environment at 19 Bennet Road, Reading
• 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
• Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work

Additional Information

For more information on this position please contact Sean Donaghue, Assistant Housing Repairs and Maintenance Manager – sean.donaghue@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Thursday 29th January 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Setup: In person at 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX