Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Estates Officer (Mechanical)
The closing date is 27 November 2025
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust requires a highly motivated, reliable and flexible Estates Officer (Mechanical) to work as a key member of the Estates Management Team. You will play a proactive role within the team, delivering key objectives to meet both departmental and Trust requirements.
The post holder will advise and assist the Estates Manager (Operational) on all technical matters relating to building maintenance management within their field of expertise and control. They will also provide supervisory leadership to the Maintenance Team and liaise with key Trust departments to ensure maintenance and repair works are delivered smoothly and with little or no effect on patient care services.
The post holder will have extensive knowledge of infrastructure services and suitable experience of working within a challenging environment and will have a full understanding of current legislation, and be responsible for ensuring compliance with Trust Policies, procedures.
The post holder will also have HNC/HND qualification in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering, will have a bias towards mechanical services or hold a higher level qualification, and have sufficient time served experience to enable them to undertake the duties of the post.
Main duties of the job
Assist the Estates Manager for a part of the engineering services plant and equipment within the unit
Ensure an effective maintenance and breakdown service for that part of the engineering services plant and equipment
Management of all delegated service contracts
Senior/Overall supervision of all team leaders, technicians and mechanical craftspersons
Operate policies and procedures in respect of Permit-to-Work systems, Hazard Notices, RAMS, Health & safety and other statutory responsibilities
Act as Authorised Person for Mechanical disciplines such as Water Safety, MGPS, HVAC, etc.
Prepare and implement minor schemes of maintenance renewal and replacement and for works of a minor improvement nature as and when required
Participate in out of hours emergency on-call service
Analyse potential savings on energy and liaise with the Sustainability Manager
Attend training courses as agreed
Carry out site surveys and inspections and prepare drawing and specifications as required
Ensure compliance with HTMs and all statutory regulations in terms of Health & Safety
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state‑of‑the‑art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting‑edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
The role is to assist the Estates Manager (Operational) in the effective management of the Trusts many, varied and diverse buildings, ensuring the building fabric, structures and grounds are maintained to the highest standard. The post holder will also support the Capital Project Team and will contribute to the management of minor projects, upgrades and new developments as required.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
To engage and supervise maintenance contracts and all works in connection with Mechanical Services including:
To manage the operational/infrastructure service delivery team comprising of Team Leaders/Technicians, Trade Staff and Contractors, ensuring that the team undertakes all Statutory and Mandatory, Good Practice and Reactive Maintenance within the key performance indicator targets.
Managing employee probation, sickness, performance and conflicts via trust policies and procedures
Bring to the attention of the Designated Estates Manager (Operational) and non-conformities or exceptions in a timely manner, identifying suitable mitigation measures and where appropriate identify issues for inclusion in the departmental risk register.
Provide support to colleagues within Performance & Compliance and Estates Capital Projects with the preparation and operational delivery of the Trusts Capital Plan.
Identify for inclusion on a forward maintenance register, any structure, fabric, plant, system or equipment that is no longer fit for purpose, obsolete or does not meet current standards.
Assist in identifying and managing the delivery of cost savings and performance improvements that deliver quantifiable quality and cost benefits.
To ensure all appropriate records, drawings, and electronic information is managed appropriately to ensure the safe and complaint management of the Trusts estate.
Support the team in developing and implanting energy improvement schemes, working with the Sustainability Manager.
Assist the Estates Manager (Operational) to carry out feasibility studies and financial / option appraisals; implement energy saving projects across the Trusts sites.
Manage and co‑ordinate shutdowns for maintenance, refurbishment and new‑build projects, liaising with a wide range of professionals, Clients, Medical and Departmental staff; ensuring concurrent works around the site do not give rise to conflicts or unsafe conditions.
Comment on designs as necessary or required, drawing to the attention of the Maintenance manager any aspects which may adversely impact on the day to day management of the service if implemented.
Assist with the up‑keep of the Operating & Maintenance Manual Library, using database systems and scanning equipment. To manage the information for quality and accuracy entered into the Estates IT systems.
Assist the designated Estates Manager (Operational) in management of the business continuity plan
Assist the designated Estates Manager (Operational) to organise, undertake or delegate investigations and surveys or specialist servicers, leading to analysis and consideration of a range of options to ensure service continuity and safe systems of work.
Check archived drawings and operating & maintenance manuals for accuracy and make arrangements for inaccuracies to be corrected.
Assist in the preparation of technical specifications, tender documents and other contract documentation. Report to the designated Maintenance Manager any defect liability issues.
Undertake Authorised Person duties relevant to core trade and or within capability and competence; ensure Team Leaders also undertake relevant AP duties as necessary or required.
Act as authorised signatory to manage delegated budget and authorises payments to trust approved contractors and suppliers
Act as Duty Estates Manager (Operational) in times of absence this will require autonomous decision making and working with freedom to take action within broad policies and procedures. It also requires judgement and analysis of a range of options in an urgent situation, fault finding on complex building services and equipment across Trust sites.
Working with the designated Estates Manager (Operational), produce and maintain a workforce development plan for the team(s) being managed.
Propose changes to policies when mechanical systems are being upgraded under capital project and redevelopment team
Use analytical tools, instruments an equipment to carry out technical investigations.
Act as Authorised Person for ventilation, decontamination, medical gases pipeline systems and Responsible Person for water systems.
Participate on‑call officer rota and act as Authorised Person for out of hours service shut‑downs as required.
Organise and deliver HSE regulation weekly meetings, bringing incidences and near misses to discuss within the team.
The post holder will undertake other duties as may be required to achieve the Trusts objectives, commensurate with the grading of the post.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Postgraduate diploma in Building Services/Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience
* Professional knowledge acquired through estate services management
* Professional body membership or registration of Chartered Institute of Building
* AP for MGPS/Vent/Decontamination and RP for Water
Experience
* Management of in‑house and contracted staff in NHS estates services
* Safe systems of work
* Experience across building and engineering trades
* Cost planning and control of minor project works and revenue budgets
* Contract management in NHS
* Working knowledge of Health & Safety in specific field of work
* Project Management
Knowledge
* Sound knowledge of all estates services and at least one specialised area
* Statutory, legislative and government requirements
* Knowledge of Construction Design Management regulations (CDM)
* CAD literate
Skills
* Problem solve a range of complex issues
* Database and spreadsheet software
* Clear and skilled verbal and written attributes
* Good communicator, impart and receive feedback clearly and concisely
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
£38,682 to £46,580 a yearpa + on call allowance
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