Estates and Facilities

Grade 7: - £35,333-£42,155 per annum
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date : 09-Sep-2022, 6:59:00 AM 

Job Title:                               Mechanical Maintenance Engineer (Building Services)
Department:                          Estates and Facilities Directorate
Estates Operations
Grade:                                   Grade 7
Salary range:                        £35,333-£42,155
Working arrangements:      Permanent
Full-time (nominal 35 hours)
Hybrid Working Pilot     

Following internal promotion of an existing member of staff, we are looking to recruit to the role of Mechanical Maintenance Engineer (Building Services). The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides a number of essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric across the estate.

It is an exciting time to join our team, as we are currently delivering an ambitious programme of works, to deliver a new estate; supporting the University’s overarching strategy, with the design and construction of new teaching, leisure and accommodation facilities, alongside the repair and refurbishments to the existing infrastructure and buildings.

Working at the University provides a wide-range of benefits, including but not limited to: generous pension plans, a pay and grading structure which supports career progression, hybrid working opportunities, generous annual leave and customary days. Further information can be found in the job description.

The University 

At Durham University we are proud of our people.   A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.

Further information about the University can be found here.

The Role and Department 

The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides a range of essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses.

The Mechanical Maintenance Engineer (Building Services) will be responsible for providing a highly effective, efficient and customer focused mechanical building services engineering maintenance and minor works service to the University.

The post-holder will be responsible for managing compliance assurance on a range of statutory inspections of engineering assets and systems.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham  

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. 
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  
• We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme, which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  
• There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  
• All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Onsite nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values 

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.

As a University, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.  We will make adjustments to support the interview process, wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.

How to Apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above.  It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What you need to submit

• A CV.
• A supporting statement or covering letter that outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

Contact details

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Paul Hammond, paul.hammond@durham.ac.uk.

Further information about the role

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

• Provide management for the delivery of high-quality estates and infrastructure support services across the University, setting and maintaining quality and performance standards ensuring reliability, longevity and safe, efficient operation of equipment and systems.
• Management and control of a range of specialist contractors delivering mechanical building services engineering maintenance and minor works services.
• Lead on the development of service specifications for contracted service provision ensuring compliance with appropriate regulatory requirements, recognised industry standards, health and safety legislation and delivering value for money.
• Ensure compliance with statutory responsibilities and manage risks to health and safety for areas of responsibility; maintaining appropriate records as required.
• Ensure the University asset schedules are kept up to date, maintenance plans are in place and records retained to inform future planning and budgeting.
• Implement changes to the design and development of service processes, techniques and deliverables for one or more service strands or project streams.
• Schedule, manage and monitor maintenance and installation works, projects and work streams across the University, liaising and communicating with customers and key contacts to plan works to minimise disruption to operational activity.
• Provide regular status reports and identify risk management and contingency planning to other service staff, specialists, users and managers.
• Take responsibility for monitoring and updating risk assessments and safety procedures, providing guidance to others, where necessary.
• Responsible for managing planned preventative maintenance, reactive and minor works revenue, as well as some capital works budgets, keeping records and processing invoices. 
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Undertake the role of Authorised Person within areas of responsibility.

Planning and Organising

• Make decisions about the nature and level of problem solving, physical and analytical tools, techniques and protocols to deliver project and service objectives, providing advice and making recommendations for resolution as appropriate.
• Collaborate with other specialists within the Service and across the University, regarding the use of modelling and analytical tools, methods and standards to deliver integrity and consistency with service delivery.
• Collect and analyse stakeholder feedback to help define needs and requirements and the design and planning of services.
• Develop, modify and optimise protocols and methodologies, in line with changes in legislation, codes of practice, practices, techniques, products etc., to ensure compliance and delivery of best practice in the area of engineering maintenance.
• Develop, implement and monitor service level agreements, key performance indicators and benchmarks to monitor and manage contractor performance.

Teamwork//Networking/Stakeholders

• Promote and foster positive and highly collaborative approaches to problem solving and project implementation, helping to motivate, mentor and coach project team members.
• Contribute to development of operational service activities to ensure excellence in the stakeholder experience.
• Act as a point of contact for service colleagues and stakeholders to interpret and resolve complex infrastructure and technical problems. Internal and external relationship development and partnership working, networking and participation to engage and influence future services and the University’s reputation.
• Deliver training, teaching and/or development delivery for stakeholders.
• Contribute to and lead business meetings, working groups and sub-committees at departmental and operational service levels.
• Liaise with internal and external agencies, local authorities, industries and visitors where appropriate.

Knowledge and Experience

• Recognised professional practitioner and service specialist, in relation to mechanical building services engineering maintenance services.
• Provide specialist expertise and support with complexity of data and information sources, interpretation and analysis.
• Maintain an awareness of current policy for University business goals such as widening participation and access, and provision of advice using specialist knowledge.
• Participate in an out-of-hours management on-call rota.
• Work evenings and weekends, as business needs.
• Undertake all training and development, as required.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

Your application should cover the following criteria: 

Essential Criteria

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop excellent working relationships both internally and externally.
2. Excellent digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking system, project planning, financial systems.
3. HNC/D in a mechanical building services engineering-related discipline (or equivalent) along with demonstrable experience of working in a mechanical building services engineering role.
4. Professional craftsperson/practitioner with knowledge and expertise in one or more areas of buildings, estates, services, or IT service provision.
5. Relevant industry and professional recognition and certification of achievement of skills and knowledge.
6. Continuing professional development required to maintain professional recognition.
7. Sound technical knowledge in the design, installation, operation and maintenance of mechanical building engineering services.
8. Experience of working in a mechanical building services engineering role in highly serviced buildings, providing a customer focused service.
9. A good understanding and working knowledge of high voltage distribution / networks
10. Experience of managing either directly employed maintenance staff or specialist contractors.
11. Experience of managing maintenance or minor works project budgets.
12. Regulatory, local and national professional knowledge and experience of compliance.
13. Experience of being able to network effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships.
14. Ability to solve problems and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.
15. Experience of delivering and developing specialist services for buildings, estates, services, or IT provision.
16. Ability to deliver minor works projects, including preparation of specifications and costs estimations.
17. Health and safety compliance and management knowledge.
18. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines. 
19. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
20. Experience of implementing policy and procedures and involvement with future changes for a service area.
21. Experience of the procurement and management of facilities or other service-related contracts.
22. Collation of information and production of clear and effective management reports.

Desirable Criteria

1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2. Hold or working towards full membership of a relevant professional institute i.e., CIBSE, IET.
3. Knowledge and experience of computer aided facilities management (CAFM) systems.
4. Knowledge of AutoCAD.
5. Health and safety related qualification
6. Experience of working in a electrical building engineering services discipline.

DBS Requirement: Not Applicable.