Repairs and Maintenance Inspector - Housing Repairs Team in Reading

Reading Borough Council has an ongoing programme of maintenance to ensure our housing stock meets the required high standard. Due to an increase in work for both internal and external clients, Property Services are looking to recruit Repairs and Maintenance Inspectors to join the Team. We are seeking skilled and detail-oriented individuals to be responsible for the inspection, specification, ordering, and supervision of works of the maintenance and repair operations for our properties. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of building systems and construction techniques, as well as excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

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

The role will be based at our Bennet Road depot - 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX. To provide a comprehensive professional building repairs inspection service in respect of day-to-day maintenance of properties, within the housing portfolio including Temporary Accommodation and Short Term Lets.

Duties will include:

• To post inspect day to day repairs undertaken by the directly employed labour force and Council's contractors.
• Carry out pre-inspections as required.
• Undertake inspections within the Voids and Planned Team as work levels demand.
• Assist in the delivery of a sensitive and high-profile service where conflicting priorities will need to be managed.
• Liaison with Housing Officers and contractors on a day-to-day basis regarding works in progress.
• Consultation with tenants/residents in conjunction with other housing Client and Contractor staff on pre and post work repair.

Qualifications and experience

• Building construction qualification to minimum ONC/OND with relevant experience or City & Guilds or equivalent in a recognised trade or several years proven site experience.
• Knowledge of statutory legislation and building contracts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally with tenants, colleagues, and contractors.
• Experience of budgetary monitoring and control.
• Solid organisational and time-management abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
• Experience of fault diagnoses.
• Full UK Driving licence.

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.

Staff Value Statement

• 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.

What we 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.
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.