Estates and Facilities

Grade 5: - £24,285 - £27,131 per annum
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 01-Mar-2023, 7:59:00 AM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

Job Title: Maintenance Builder
Department: Estates and Facilities Directorate
Estates Operations
Grade: Grade 5
Salary range:  Up to £27,131
Working arrangements: Permanent
Full time (35 hours)
Participation in an on-call rota for out of hours cover
Closing date: Tuesday 28th February 2023 (shortlisting and interviews will take place throughout and if it is possible to fill the vacancy before the closing date, the advert will close immediately)

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

As a member of the Estates and Facilities Directorate directly employed labour team, you will undertake general building trade work including plastering, brickwork, masonry and footpath repairs, to an agreed level, in compliance with industry standards, statutory requirements, relevant codes of practice in a professional and customer-focussed manner.

You will work across the University estate, within domestic, industrial and educational buildings, using electronic devices for receipt and completion of work.

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.

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:

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year.  The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• 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.
• 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.
• On site 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• We offer generous pension schemes.

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.

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.  Where there are desirable criteria, we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence.

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 ensure you receive all emails.

What you are required to submit:

• A CV
• A supporting statement/covering letter, which shows examples of how you meet the criteria within the Person Specification.

Contact details

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Dave Profit, Senior Maintenance Services Manager, david.profit@durham.ac.uk would be happy to speak to you.

Further information about the role

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

• Resolve queries and requests for information and advice and escalate more specialist and complex queries or issues to more experienced team members, completing the appropriate electronic and/or hardcopy work orders. Identify priorities and monitor processes and activities to ensure success.
• Provide more in-depth independent research and analysis activities within the role.
• Analyse work activities to ensure the effective and efficient use of capital and consumable equipment and resources.
• Advise others and make recommendations into work processes and procedures for consideration by senior management to improve services.
• Deliver infrastructure support services to support administrative, business, teaching, research and learning activities across the University’s estate.
• Manage and monitor the use of components, resources and equipment. 
• Deliver appropriate demonstrations of service components, equipment and processes to users, as necessary.
• Prepare safety documents, method statements and risk assessments concerning activities across the estate.
• Apply recognised professional procedures and techniques, to ensure the security, safety, integrity and viability of infrastructure facilities and components for stakeholder and public access and use.
• Undertake all building work across the estate, including day-to-day repairs and planned maintenance, and installation and testing of statutory equipment.
• Undertake the work of any trade, for which the operative has received the necessary training and instruction.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

Planning and Organising

• Plan and organise own workload with or without involvement with project work streams.
• Assist colleagues to achieve operational service requirements, planning, carrying out and documenting evaluations and tests to ensure stakeholder requirements are met.
• Organise and schedule resources, including stock control.

Teamwork/Networking/Stakeholders

• Act as more knowledgeable team member without responsibility for team members.
• Collaborate with team members to implement service alterations.
• Respond to stakeholder needs to deliver and shape an excellent stakeholder experience, completing tasks to predetermined performance targets.
• Contribute to collaborative decision making within the team with service provision, to deliver an excellent stakeholder experience in accordance with policy and procedures.
• Work collaboratively across the organisation and/or externally with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver a service.
• Liaise with contacts and participate in networks and communities internally and possibly externally, contributing to effective collaborative working.
• Liaise with outside agencies, local authorities, suppliers and visitors to ensure the safe and secure delivery of services.

Knowledge and Experience

• Apply theory and practice, from academic and professional development and previous knowledge within a service team.
• Provide guidance and advice to resolve problems and queries for a broad range of service users.
• Provide demonstrations and instruction to others outside the team.
• Apply technical knowledge and skills to build, adapt, construct and repair fabric, fittings, buildings, services and equipment using new and existing resources, including knowledge of appropriate plant and equipment.
• Drive University vehicles transporting the required equipment to various sites across the University.
• Participate in the on-call rota for out-of-hours emergency situations,
• May be required to work evenings and weekends, as business demands.
• Attend all training and development, as required.
• Carry out certain tasks in conditions commensurate with the type and nature of the work associated with such a role, for example: moving and lifting heaving equipment, working at height, working within confined spaces, etc.
• 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, which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

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.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
2. Strong digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking system, project planning.
3. Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent experience).
4. Recognised and registered CITB as a Building Operative, or other approved training.
5. Professional craftsperson/practitioner with knowledge and expertise in one or more areas of buildings, or estates services.
6. Demonstrable ability to proactively work with team members to ensure the delivery of high-quality services.
7. Ability to solve problems and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.
8. Experience of contributing to the delivery of buildings services, in residential and educational buildings.
9. Health and safety compliance knowledge, including risk assessments and method statements.
10. Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.
11. Experience of managing time in order to meet deadlines.
12. Experience of diagnosing and repairing faults in building fabric.
13. Estimating material requirements.
14. Completion of maintenance documentation and related records.
15. Ability to use and operate the usual range of tools and equipment associated with the trade.
16. Achieving service delivery and performance targets.
17. Good customer care skills.
18. Ability to work on own initiative with minimal supervision.
19. Flexible attitude to multi-skilled maintenance tasks, designed to maximise operational effectiveness.
20. Experience of managing time in order to meet deadlines.
21. Interpretation of work to be undertaken as outlined in routine instruction, drawings and specifications.

Desirable Criteria

1. Advanced craft certificate in building work, construction, or equivalent approved training.
2. Relevant industry and professional recognition and certification of achievement of skills and knowledge, such as Construction Skills Certification Scheme or equivalent.
3. Relevant industry and professional recognition and certification of achievement of skills and knowledge.
4. Evidence of continuing professional development.
5. Evidence of working in occupied properties, historic and listed buildings.
6. Ability to provide support for infrastructure projects.
7. Ability to effectively network and exchange advice and information for development purposes.
8. Familiar with the use of electronic job management systems.