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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to maintain and improve properties, ensuring safe and well-kept homes.
- Company: Be part of Reading Borough Council, a diverse and inclusive employer.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Hands-on experience in construction and good communication skills required.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic team with excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 33600 £ per year.
Overview
Are you a hands-on team player who takes pride in quality work and excellent customer service? Join our Property Services team at Reading Borough Council as a Labourer – Semi-Skilled Operative. You\’ll be part of a dedicated team maintaining and improving properties across Reading, helping us deliver safe, well-maintained homes and facilities for our community.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people, as diversity and inclusion are the keys to our success. Reading Borough Council is also a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to ensuring we have the safe working environment to be able to meet the skills we need from the wider community.
About the role
The position is full-time, Monday to Friday on site by 08:00am and leaving site at 4:00pm. You will be able to conduct works in a safe and effective manner using a schedule of rates and working to the Councils Pay and Productivity scheme.
Responsibilities include assisting other trades within the property maintenance service with reactive day‑to‑day repairs for Reading and Wokingham, and also Voids and Planned Maintenance when required. You will manage van stock and assess works to ensure the right materials and time to complete a first-time fix. You will work closely with colleagues, managers and other departments to provide an efficient, polite and professional service for our customers. You should have good communication skills with building/decorating knowledge and be able to demonstrate relevant experience within the construction industry.
The majority of the work will be in and around tenanted properties, so care must always be exercised to avoid damage to occupants\’ property. All tenants/customers and colleagues will be treated with courtesy and respect. You will work closely with trades to assist with fencing, roofing, carpentry, plastering and brickwork, and you may undertake small repairs or decorating works alone, for example: small fence repairs, mould wash and seal, make safe areas and delivery of humidifiers/heaters, etc.
Full valid manual driving licence is required.
Team and culture
You will be part of a team that relies on everyone to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you will also be part of Team Reading, contributing to making Reading a successful and vibrant place to live and work.
We are looking for a Labourer that is skilled, motivated and keen to work in a fast-moving and constantly evolving public sector environment.
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. For more details please go to .
Our vision and values
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
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 will 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
- Training and development opportunities
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at the Bennet Road
- 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, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
- 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
- Uniform and PPE provided.
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Semi-Skilled Labourer employer: Reading Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Reading Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Semi-Skilled Labourer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Reading Borough Council and their Property Services team. Understanding their values and mission will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local job fairs. Building relationships can give you insider info about the role and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for practical assessments! As a semi-skilled labourer, you might be tested on your hands-on skills. Brush up on basic repairs and maintenance tasks so you can impress them with your practical knowledge during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
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 the team at Reading Borough Council. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Semi-Skilled Labourer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Hands-On Experience: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight any hands-on experience you have in property maintenance or construction. We want to see how your skills can contribute to our team!
Communicate Clearly: Good communication is key in this role. Use your application to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively, whether it's with colleagues or customers. We value clarity and professionalism!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to the job description by mentioning specific responsibilities and skills that match what we’re looking for. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly. Let’s get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your building and decorating knowledge. Be ready to discuss any relevant experience you've had in the construction industry, especially with repairs and maintenance. This will show that you're not just a hands-on worker but also someone who understands the job inside out.
✨Show Off Your Team Spirit
Since this role is all about teamwork, be prepared to talk about how you’ve collaborated with others in past jobs. Share examples of how you’ve worked closely with colleagues or assisted tradespeople. Highlighting your ability to work well in a team will resonate with the interviewers.
✨Communicate Clearly
Good communication skills are key for this position. Practice explaining your past experiences clearly and concisely. You might even want to prepare a few questions to ask the interviewer about the team dynamics or the types of projects you'll be working on. This shows you're engaged and interested.
✨Demonstrate Your Customer Service Skills
Since you'll be working in tenanted properties, it's crucial to show that you can provide excellent customer service. Think of examples where you've gone above and beyond for customers or clients. This will help illustrate your commitment to treating everyone with courtesy and respect.
