About the Role

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

Estates is responsible for the management and development of University premises in Milton Keynes and its National and Regional Centres. The Infrastructure Team is looking for an experienced Maintenance Plumber to join the University’s Estates Maintenance team at Walton Hall Campus in Milton Keynes. The Maintenance Plumber is to operate safely and effectively as part of a multi–disciplined maintenance team. You will be responsible for the safe and effective operation and maintenance of mechanical building services to the University.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake planned preventative maintenance work on mechanical services (e.g. heating systems, ventilation, hot and cold water systems) reporting all defects
• Undertake reactive maintenance work and repairs on all types of building services plant 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
• Any other duties as directed by Director of Estates

Skills and Experience

Education, qualifications and training
Essential

• Craft apprenticeships with City & guilds or BTEC National Certificate/Diploma, or an advanced modern apprenticeships (NVQ Level 2 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

Desirable

• Experience in a similar role maintaining building services

Knowledge, work and other relevant experience
Essential

• Working knowledge and experience in the operation and maintenance of mechanical services within commercial buildings including heating, cooling, ventilation, hot and cold water systems and general plumbing installations.
• Working knowledge and experience to achieve compliance for heating, cooling, ventilation, hot and cold water systems and general plumbing installations.
• 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 on roofs, from ladders, scaffolds and in confined spaces such as inspection chambers and roof voids. 
• Full and current UK driving licence.

Desirable

• 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.

Skills, capabilities and qualities
Essential

• Ability to routinely log hours taken and materials used for tasks and complete maintenance work request sheets.
• Ability to be flexible, adaptable and proactive assisting on occasion labouring and work with other trades and contractors.
• Work as part of a team co-ordinating workloads with colleagues, supervisor and customers.
• Ability to cope with a  steady volume of work and on own initiative in an organised manner
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, staff and customers at all levels.
• Good customer service skills and commitment to providing a high quality service to the University.

Desirable

• Able to pass on knowledge and give guidance to other team members and contractors as required

Additional requirements

• To 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 30 minutes.
• Required to complete statutory and mandatory trainings as part of the role.
• An understanding and commitment to equal opportunities and diversity.

Essential Requirements

As part of the application process, you will be expected to submit your CV and a Supporting Statement that demonstrates how you meet the essential/desirable criteria listed above. This is a full-time, permanent position based onsite in Milton Keynes. 

**This role currently attracts a temporary Market Related Pay supplement of up to £3,500 per annum which is due to be reviewed in December 2024.