Maintenance Officer - Public Sector

University Belfast is recruiting a skilled and experienced Maintenance Officer to join its Estates team and deliver responsive, planned, and statutory maintenance across University accommodation.

This is a hands-on, multi-skilled maintenance role suited to an individual with a strong trade background and practical experience in building services, facilities, or estate maintenance. The successful candidate will be confident working across a range of building, electrical, plumbing, and general maintenance activities, with the ability to diagnose faults and carry out repairs safely and effectively.

The role operates on a rotating 5-over-7 shift pattern, working 8-hour shifts with no overnight working, and attracts an 18% shift allowance.

Main Responsibilities

• Carry out a wide range of hands-on maintenance and repair activities across University accommodation and buildings.
• Re-lamp fittings, reset electrical trips, test emergency lighting, and undertake basic electrical maintenance within the scope of your competence.
• Unblock sinks, toilets, and pipework and repair or replace plumbing fixtures.
• Repair and replace window and door hardware, including hinges, handles, locks, closers, and other ironmongery.
• Adjust and repair doors and carry out general joinery and building repairs.
• Undertake tiling, re-grouting, silicone work, and other general building maintenance.

Plant & System Maintenance

• Inspect and maintain air handling units, ventilation systems, and associated equipment.
• Clean filters, grilles, and ventilation components.
• Clear gutters and ACCO channels.
• Take oil tank readings and undertake chemical dosing where required.
• Test generators and carry out routine checks.
• Inspect gas boiler plant, domestic water systems, and other building services.
• Report defects and escalate specialist maintenance requirements where necessary.

Statutory Compliance

• Carry out legionella temperature monitoring and weekly flushing in accordance with university procedures.
• Complete fire door inspections and report defects.

Planned & Reactive Maintenance

• Deliver planned preventative maintenance (PPM) activities.
• Respond promptly to reactive maintenance requests and emergency breakdowns.
• Diagnose faults and undertake repairs using appropriate tools, equipment, and trade knowledge.
• Complete minor improvement and refurbishment works.
• Prioritise urgent maintenance issues and respond effectively to changing demands.

Materials & Equipment Handling

• Transport materials, tools, equipment, and other items across the University estate.
• Maintain suitable stock levels and report requirements for materials and replacement equipment.

CAFM & IT Systems

• Use the University's Planon CAFM system to receive, update, and complete maintenance tasks.
• Operate PDA/tablet devices, BMS controls, and other digital systems.

Record Keeping

• Maintain accurate manual and electronic records relating to maintenance, health and safety, plant, equipment, inspections, and completed work.
• Provide clear information regarding defects, repairs, outstanding work, and follow-up requirements.

Health & Safety

• Work in accordance with University health and safety policies and procedures.

Vehicle Operation

• Drive University vehicles as required to undertake maintenance activities across the estate.

Shift & Out-of-Hours Work

• Work a rotating 5-over-7 shift pattern with 8-hour shifts.
• Be willing to work weekends and occasional overtime or out-of-hours duties when required.
• No overnight work is required.
• Participate in an out-of-hours/on-call arrangement where applicable.

Skills

Essential

• Skilled Trade Background: Relevant trade qualification such as NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent), apprenticeship, or recognised time-served experience in building maintenance, electrical, plumbing, joinery, or a related trade.
• Significant Practical Experience: Recent and demonstrable experience working in a skilled maintenance role, ideally within a commercial, residential, educational, public-sector, facilities, or similar environment.
• Multi-Skilled Capability: Good practical knowledge of general building maintenance, plumbing, electrical systems, joinery, and building services.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to diagnose faults, identify appropriate solutions, and complete repairs safely and effectively.
• Compliance Awareness: Knowledge of health and safety requirements, legionella awareness, asbestos awareness, electrical safety, fire safety, and fire door standards.
• IT Literacy: Competent using IT packages, CAFM systems, tablets/PDA devices, and other digital systems.
• Communication & Teamwork: Strong communication, with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Driving Licence: Full, valid UK driving licence.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within a large or complex estate such as a university, hospital, commercial property portfolio, residential accommodation, or public-sector environment.
• Experience using access equipment, scaffolding, lifting equipment, or other specialist maintenance equipment.
• Experience with door closers, locks, ironmongery, and general building hardware.
• Experience with CAFM systems, BMS controls, or similar facilities' management technology.
• Experience working within a formal planned preventative maintenance programme.
• Experience liaising with contractors and supporting maintenance or refurbishment projects.

We are looking for a skilled, practical, and dependable Maintenance Officer who takes pride in delivering a high standard of workmanship.What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

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