The Role
We are seeking a Maintenance Operative to join our maintenance and caretaking team, who have workshop, stores, office facilities located on the Senior School site on Oakholme Road, Sheffield. The team presently comprises of a Maintenance Supervisor, Prep School Maintenance Operative and a School Porter. The team is flexible, multi-skilled and works as a unit. They work alongside the two-strong grounds maintenance team, and are supported by long-standing contractors in the building, electrical, decorating and plumbing fields.
The Maintenance Operative will sit under the Bursar’s Department which has responsibility for most non-teaching functions, i.e. accounts, payroll, personnel, administration, maintenance (buildings, plant, vehicles & grounds), catering, cleaning, health & safety, and site development.
The Maintenance Operative will report to the Maintenance Supervisor, who in turn reports to the Bursar. The post-holder will have primary responsibility in supporting the general maintenance of the Senior School. They will also be involved as necessary in all aspects of the maintenance and caretaking team’s work, which ranges from photocopying to furniture moving.
Key Responsibilities
The principal responsibilities of the Maintenance Operative will be:
· Carrying such general maintenance as may be required or requested (there is a maintenance request system in place) as so competent to do or making arrangements for others to do such through the Maintenance Supervisor.
· Responsible for carrying out and recording the routine Health & Safety Testing including (but not limited to) the Fire alarms, Emergency Lighting systems, and supervising and recording contracted out testing (eg. Hygiene, Pest control, Lift, boilers etc.)
· Perform in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment (PAT) across all departments. Maintain accurate records of all tests conducted, including test results, asset tracking, and retest schedules. Ensure all testing equipment is calibrated and maintained in good working order. Training will be provided if required.
· Identify and report any unsafe or non-compliant equipment to the relevant department.
· Ensure compliance with Health & Safety legislation and internal policies.
· Attendance at Health and Safety Committee meetings in Maintenance Supervisor’s absence.
· Locking the Senior School site during holidays, ensuring that all buildings have been secured and alarms activated.
· Care and control of all maintenance equipment, tools and stores assigned to them.
· Purchasing of materials, spares and equipment as authorised by the Maintenance Supervisor.
· Carrying out such other general maintenance at the school’s other sites as may be directed by the Maintenance Supervisor.
· Assisting the Maintenance Supervisor and the School Porter with their duties as directed by the Maintenance Supervisor.
· Assisting the Grounds team at certain times of the year as required.
· In due course, a key holder and First Aid at work qualified.
Person Specification
Suitable candidates should:
· Ideally be a multi-skilled tradesperson with skills to complement those of the Supervisor (a former Corgi registered commercial plumber) and the School Porter (a former auto technician), i.e. those with joinery, plastering and/or brick laying skills will be of particular interest but all relevant skill sets will be considered.
· Be organised and tidy in their work, and have very good attention to detail.
· Good organisational and record-keeping skills.
· Be personable and able to communicate effectively and clearly, both verbally and in writing.
· Be entirely trustworthy.
· A full UK driving licence is essential for this role.
· Display commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people, and be able to form and maintain appropriate relationships.
· Have tact and diplomacy in their dealings with other non-maintenance staff but have the stature and firmness to ensure they are not deviated from clear priorities and the directions of their supervisor.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit:
· A cover letter addressed to Ronan Wade, Bursar of no more than one side of A4 explaining why you are interested in the role, and the skills and experiences you can bring to it (minimum font size of 11)
· A completed Birkdale School application form which includes the names, addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of two referees. This can be found on our website www.birkdaleschool.org.uk
Recruitment timetable:
· Closing date for applications – Friday 3rd July 2026 at 12 Noon.
Email your application to: Ronan Wade, Bursar at [email protected] by the closing date.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if necessary and we therefore recommend applying early
For an informal discussion regarding the role please do not hesitate to contact the above email address with any questions you may have. Applicants who do not provide a Covering Letter and Application Form, as stipulated, will unfortunately not be considered. If you have any difficulties in providing this, please do not hesitate to contact the HR team at [email protected]
Pay: £25,971.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
