At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to maintain and repair plumbing and mechanical systems at the University.
- Company: The Open University is a leading institution committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working arrangements and a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Craft apprenticeship or equivalent in mechanical or plumbing required; experience preferred.
- Other info: Be part of an on-call rota for emergencies and work with a diverse team.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 Β£ per year.
Press Tab to Move to Skip to Content Link
Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 2 years from start date
Welsh Language: Not Applicable
Job Description:
About the Role
The Maintenance Fitter Plumber is responsible for the safe and effective operation and maintenance of mechanical building services and plumbing systems at the University. The fitter/plumber is part of a team of 5 and works closely with the 5 electricians and 4 M&E Assistants in the directly employed maintenance team.
The maintenance fitter/plumber undertakes planned preventative maintenance work on mechanical building services installations (e.g. heating, cooling, air handling, ventilation systems fans, pumps and pressure systems, hot and cold water systems and associated plant and equipment) The successful candidate wiull also contribute to achieving legislative compliance and high standards of engineering maintenance, as well as responding to reactive works, fault finding and carrying out emergency repairs.
This role is based on site at our Milton Keynes campus. The maintenance fitter/plumber responds to out of hours emergencies on mechanical building services and plumbing systems as part of an on call rota with the electricians and contract support.
Flexible Working. We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether itβs a part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.
Key Responsibilities
- Undertake planned preventative maintenance work on mechanical services (e.g. heating, cooling and air handling systems, hot and cold-water systems) recording and reporting all defects.
- Undertake reactive maintenance work and repairs on all types of building services plant recording and reporting all defects.
- Inclusion on the University out of hours call out rota for maintenance emergencies.
- Develop a personal knowledge and understanding of the installed mechanical building services and undertake regular plant room visits.
- Required to provide guidance on site installations to other trade staff and contractors.
- Undertake minor mechanical and plumbing installations.
- Undertake preparation work for engineering statutory inspections.
- Responsible for working safely at all times, complying with risk assessments, safe systems of work and safety standards to control hazards to self, colleagues, University staff and visitors.
- Carries out inspections of mechanical and plumbing installations, updating schedules of plant as required.
- Undertake from time to time other such appropriate responsibilities and duties as directed by Supervisor/Manager.
Skills and Experience
Essential Requirements
- Craft apprenticeship with City & Guilds or BTEC National Certificate/Diploma, or an advanced modern apprenticeship (NVQ L2 with key skills) in mechanical or plumbing or equivalent qualification.
- Proven post apprenticeship experience in the operation and maintenance of mechanical building services including low pressure heating systems, hot and cold-water systems.
- Working knowledge of mechanical and plumbing installations in buildings.
- Able to carry out duties in a safe way with working knowledge of health and safety issues and understanding of risk assessments.
- Ability to work safely on roofs, from ladders, scaffolds and in confined spaces such as inspection chambers and roof voids.
- Ability to routinely complete maintenance work request sheets within timescale, recording work done, hours taken, and materials used.
- Ability to cope with a steady volume of work using initiative in an organized manner.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, supervisor, managers, and customers at all levels.
- Ability to be flexible, adaptable, and proactive assisting other trades and contractors and on occasion laboring as required.
- Full and current UK driving license.
- To be able participate in the emergency, call out rota and be able to respond to additional out of hours emergencies when called to assist others. Response time for attendance on site is within 45 minutes.
Desirable:
- Experience in a similar role maintaining plumbing, heating, cooling and ventilation systems with a public or commercial organisation.
- A construction safety qualification.
- Trained in working at height, confined spaces, asbestos awareness, risk assessments.
- Experience of working to permit to work systems and use of safety equipment for access and maintenance.
- Able to update schedules of plant and equipment.
- Capable of reading maintenance manuals and drawings.
To apply for this role please submit the following as one document;
- CV
- A personal statement of up to 1000 words. You should set out in your statement why you are interested in the role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competenciesfor this role as detailed in the job description.
Please note that we may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.
If you have any queries or questions about the recruitment process, or regarding your application,please contact:Careers@open.ac.uk .
Looking for Associate Lecturer (AL) roles?
Please use our AL home page to find AL vacancies.
The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Plumber /Maintenance Fitter employer: The Open University UK
Contact Detail:
The Open University UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Plumber /Maintenance Fitter
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific mechanical building services and plumbing systems mentioned in the job description. Understanding these systems will not only help you during the interview but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
β¨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the University or similar institutions. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which can be beneficial when discussing your fit for the team.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with emergency repairs and reactive maintenance. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure, as these are crucial for this role.
β¨Tip Number 4
Show your flexibility and willingness to participate in the out-of-hours call-out rota. Highlight any previous experience you have with on-call duties, as this will reassure the hiring team of your commitment to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Plumber /Maintenance Fitter
Some tips for your application π«‘
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Maintenance Fitter Plumber position. Make notes on how your skills and experiences align with these expectations.
Craft a Strong Personal Statement: Your personal statement should be up to 1000 words, clearly articulating your interest in the role. Use specific examples from your experience that demonstrate how you meet the competencies outlined in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Ensure you mention your qualifications, such as your craft apprenticeship or any relevant certifications. Emphasise your post-apprenticeship experience in mechanical building services and plumbing systems.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and personal statement for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Open University UK
β¨Know Your Technical Skills
Make sure you can confidently discuss your qualifications and experience related to mechanical building services and plumbing systems. Be prepared to provide specific examples of past work, especially in planned preventative maintenance and reactive repairs.
β¨Demonstrate Safety Awareness
Since safety is paramount in this role, be ready to talk about your understanding of health and safety regulations. Share any relevant training you've had, such as working at height or confined spaces, and how you apply these principles in your daily work.
β¨Show Team Spirit
This position involves working closely with a team of electricians and M&E Assistants. Highlight your ability to collaborate effectively, share knowledge, and assist other trades when necessary. Provide examples of how you've worked well in a team environment in the past.
β¨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, particularly in emergency situations. Think of scenarios where you've had to respond quickly to a fault or emergency repair, and be ready to explain your thought process and actions taken.