Senior Maintenance Assistant

Job Title: Senior Maintenance Assistant

Department Estates and Facilities Directorate

Estates Operations

Grade: Grade 3

Salary range: £23,751-£24,570

Working arrangements:      Permanent

Full-time (35 hours per week) Monday to Friday

There may be a requirement to work evenings and weekends to support business needs

Onsite working only

Closing date: Monday 10th November 2025

The University 

At Durham University, we are proud of our people, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community.  We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team.

Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion. It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here.

The Role and Department

As Senior Maintenance Assistant, you will provide practical support across the University estate, undertaking planned and reactive maintenance, minor works, and a range of service support tasks within domestic, industrial, and educational buildings as instructed.  This hands-on role is key to maintaining safe, functional, and well-presented environments, working closely with colleagues in the Direct Labour team to deliver a responsive and efficient service to staff, students, and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities include using a variety of tools, equipment, and electronic devices to carry out maintenance tasks, record work instructions, and manage resources.  You will assist with statutory safety checks, stock control and the upkeep of facilities, while contributing to team efforts to meet shared goals and service standards.  The role requires strong practical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work flexibly across different settings and tasks.

The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University, you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

· Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year, including time off between Christmas and New Year.

· No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.

· You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.

· Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

· We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.

· We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community.

· Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).

· If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.

· We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.  

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply

To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we're looking for:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent experience.

Experience of working in a team in a building or estates services area, including maintaining and repairing plant, services and equipment.

Experience of managing time to meet deadlines.

Experience of estimating material requirements.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

Good spoken and written communication skills.

Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including the internet, email, digital communication tools and Microsoft 365 applications.

Basic knowledge/awareness of plumbing.

Full driving licence.

Ability to use and operate the usual range of tools and equipment associated with plumbing/mechanical trade roles.

10.   Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers.

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications relating to specific areas of work within the trade or related trades, such as mechanical services.

Committed to ongoing training/continuing professional development.

Ability to solve problems as part of a team and resolve straightforward issues.

Health and safety compliance knowledge, including risk assessments and method statements.

Ability to provide support for infrastructure projects.

Experience of working in occupied properties, historic and listed buildings.

Familiar with the use of electronic job management systems.

How to apply

We prefer to receive applications online.  When you apply you need to submit a CV and/or a statement that tells us your experience and gives examples of how you meet the criteria above and/or submit the application form and include the information within the form.

We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

Who to contact for more information

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role or if you are struggling to complete the application process, Michael Pallister, Assistant Maintenance Services Manager, , would be happy to speak to you.

Typical Role Requirements

Here are the kind of activities that you'll be asked to undertake and ways in which you'll be expected to operate.

Service Delivery

· Provide an excellent and timely service to our students, your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role.

· Log, record and pass on information for use by others.

· Carry out routine, planned and reactive maintenance, repairs and minor works that may require specialist skills and may be physically demanding.

· Follow established procedures when carrying out your role, varying when necessary or referring to more senior colleagues.

· Collect, organise and record data and information accurately for use by others.

· When carrying out your role, apply relevant industry and regulatory.

· Operate a range of maintenance, investigation, design and construction tools.

· Operate everyday and task/job specific equipment, tools and resources, including electronic devices for the receipt and completion of work instructions, and standard mechanical/electrical plant and equipment needed to carry out the full requirements of the role.

· Carry out stock and inventory checks.

· Undertake the work of any trade for which you have received the necessary training and instruction.

Teamwork/Liaison

· Help to move, set-up and maintain facilities, equipment or tools.

· Help your colleagues when required with other key activities undertaken within your service.

· Help and cooperate with the rest of your team on operational matters to help achieve shared objectives.

· Liaise with staff in other areas to ensure services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.

· Help carry out annual safety and maintenance checks.

· Help team members review and update risk assessments.

Communication/Personal

· Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University's values.

· Follow established procedures to respond to queries and bring any complex issues to the attention of more experienced team members.

· Log and record helpdesk queries and apply the correct escalation procedures where necessary.

· Learn the skills needed to deliver services in a maintenance-related environment.

· Respond to routine queries from suppliers, contractors, contacts, utility and service providers where necessary.

· Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that, in submitting your application, Durham University will be processing your data.  We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement, which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.