Salary - £30,684 to £32,563
Permanent
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.
Are you a hands-on problem solver with a background in maintenance, facilities, or trades, and a passion for high standards, safety, and service?
UKCEH is looking for an experienced Estates Maintenance Officer to join our friendly and fast-paced Workplace team, where no two days are the same, and your work will help support vital environmental science across the UK. This role is based at our Wallingford headquarters, a large, multi-purpose site housing laboratories, offices, and fieldwork and workshop facilities, and will play a key part in keeping it running smoothly, safely and compliantly.
We’re on the lookout for a Maintenance Officer who thrives on getting stuck in, takes pride in their work, and brings a proactive, can-do attitude to the table. This is a busy, rewarding role requiring a strong communicator who can juggle competing demands while keeping safety and service at the forefront. Full training will be provided on all our systems.
Your main responsibilities will include:
1. Overseeing routine scheduled inspections and maintenance across our buildings and a wide range of equipment (including specialist scientific equipment), ensuring legal compliance and exceptional service standards
2. Taking the lead on contractor management: carrying out inductions, preparing permits to work, and ensuring all third parties operate safely and professionally on our sites
3. Responding to reactive maintenance requests, from basic repairs and handling tasks, to supporting cleaning and equipment moves, helping us deliver a first-class workplace service
4. Working closely with Workplace Managers to maintain building compliance across key areas such as: fire safety, legionella, asbestos, and mechanical and electrical regulations
5. Supporting wider Workplace admin, including reception cover, post handling, and documentation to keep systems updated and customer service top-notch
6. Reviewing reports and tracking remedial actions to ensure Health & Safety standards are upheld and continually improved across the UKCEH estate
For the role of Estates Maintenance Officer, we’re looking for somebody who has:
7. A solid background in one or more trades (e.g. plumbing, electrical, joinery) - a formal qualification is great, but practical experience is essential
8. Confident use of a CAFM system (or similar ticketing software) to manage maintenance jobs and monitor performance
9. Up-to-date knowledge of building compliance and a sharp focus on Health & Safety - particularly important as we operate laboratory spaces with strict procedures
10. Someone who’s organised, efficient and calm under pressure, with excellent time management and communication skills
11. A team player who takes pride in their work and is committed to creating safe, functional and welcoming spaces for all staff and visitor
You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that’s committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH.
Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.
Working for UKCEH is rewarding
We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-oriented perks, such as:
12. 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure
13. 10% employer pension contribution
14. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role dependant)
15. Peer reward and recognition scheme
16. Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal
17. Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
18. 24-hour, 365-day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues and much more...
Apply today!
If this opportunity resonates with you and aligns with your personal career goals, the team would love to receive your application.
At UKCEH, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone—regardless of background, identity, ability, or circumstance—has the opportunity to thrive. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from neurodivergent candidates and those with disabilities. We are happy to provide any adjustments or support you may need throughout the application process—please don’t hesitate to reach out. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we’d love to hear from you anyway. You may be just the right fit for this role or another within our wider team.
We welcome applications from international candidates; however, at present, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.