Lead Estates Technician
Uppingham School, founded in 1584, is a leading co-educational independent boarding school which runs 24/7 in term-time. It has a strong academic profile and excellent pastoral care with an international reputation, and state-of-the-art science, sports and music facilities. Its 830 pupils, aged 13-18, are accommodated in 15 boarding houses, taught by over 20 academic departments, and participate in numerous extra-curricular activities such as sports, music, and drama. The academic programme is supported by business units responsible for marketing, estates, finance, HR, IT, operations (catering, cleaning, and procurement), health and safety, and the Schools trading subsidiary. The School employs c. 550 staff.
The estate covers 125 non-contiguous acres, almost one mile apart at its extremities and interspersed by town housing and retail properties. It includes 59 acres of playing fields, 14 acres of gardens, and a built estate of 80 buildings with an insurance replacement value of £200 million, whose combined external footprint is 775,000 sq ft, and of which 23 are listed (Grades I II). Buildings include teaching blocks, assembly buildings, boarding houses, staff housing, administrative and technical accommodation, and sports facilities. A programme of new buildings followed full co-education in 2001, including boarding houses, a Music School, sports pavilions, a dual-use Sports Centre and an RIBA national-award winning Science Centre completed in 2014.
Job purpose
The role is vital in ensuring the smooth running of our thriving school, and you will play a key role carrying out a variety of duties within our historic and varied range of buildings. This will include moving & maintaining equipment, facilities and ensuring the security of buildings.
Responsibilities
To be responsible as a working supervisor for the day-to-day operations of the Estates Technicians, ensuring that the reactive and planned tasks are prioritised according to operational demands, school priorities and aligning with SLAs.
Supporting the Estates Services Manager with work planning and allocation working with the Estates Helpdesk and CAFM System.
To support the School and Estates team by providing operational support which will include, Maintenance activities, Planned Preventative Maintenance, Porterage, Gardens Team, Sports Turf Team, Staff Housing, Equipment and Furniture movement.
To undertake planned work assisting with the moving of furniture and appliances across the estate including academic buildings, boarding housing and staff housing.
To support in the set up and breakdown of school events and functions, including open days, sports and exams.
Engage in the delivery and collection of cleaning equipment and bedding around the school as directed.
To support with the maintenance and upkeep of the estate by completing varied maintenance tasks such as decorating, furniture building, and general repairs. Replacing of blinds and curtain rails and other fixtures and fittings.
To support with the management of waste i.e. transportation of large items to the designated waste area, assist with collections, tidying bin compounds and waste areas.
To undertake external duties such as gritting, road maintenance and pothole repairs.
To assess and report maintenance or safety issues to the correct estates function and make safe until an appropriate person is in attendance.
To support the Estates team in completing planned compliance checks.
To undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Head of Estates Services or member of the Estates Services Team.
Qualifications, skills and experience, personal qualities required.
Qualifications:
A trade background is desirable (NVQ/City & Guilds)
Skills and experience:
Experience managing a team.
Multi skilled/trade background (desirable)
Manual Handling
Confident IT skills and experience with CAFM Software (desirable)
Working in an 24/7 estates environment with a focus on customer service
Excellent timekeeping
Ability to work with minimum supervision, and as part of a team.
Ability to deal with students, staff and members of public in polite and helpful manner.
Previous porterage experience/experience in a similar role (desirable)
Previous cleaning experience (desirable)
An understanding of COSHH and Health and Safety at work (desirable)
Full driving licence
Terms and conditions
Working hours: 39 hours
Salary: £27,500
Probation period: 6 months
Benefits
Holidays:
The annual holiday entitlement is 25 working days, of which up to 5 days must be taken over the Christmas period. Public holidays in term time are normal working days; a day off in lieu is given at another time.
Pension scheme:
Defined contribution scheme: employee contribution matched by School by factor of two, up to 10% maximum.
Benefits:
50% contribution to premiums for Schools private health scheme
Death in service cover with a lump sum of twice annual salary
Free membership of dual-use Sports Centre (£25 annual admin fee)
Free staff lunches in term-time
School fee day place discount for children of staff
Retail and restaurant discounts, via Sodexo platform
Cycle to work scheme
Free annual flu jabs
Westfield health care package
Recognised as a Disability Confident employer
Recognised as a Mindful employer
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