Building Services Supervisor (Airconditioning/Refrigeration Bias)
Salary: £38,716 per annum
Location: Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ
Contract: Permanent , 37 hours per week
About Rothamsted Research
Rothamsted Research, including the Lawes Agricultural Trust (LAT) and Rothamsted Enterprises Ltd (REL), is one of the world's leading agricultural research institutions. Our facilities and infrastructure play a vital role in supporting pioneering scientific research that addresses some of the world's biggest environmental and agricultural challenges.
We are seeking an experienced Building Services Supervisor (Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Bias) to join our Facilities team on the Harpenden campus.
What you will be doing
Reporting into the Facilities team, you will be responsible for supervising the maintenance and operation of refrigeration, air conditioning and controlled environment systems across a diverse and complex research estate.
This is a critical role that helps ensure the safe, compliant and reliable operation of specialist facilities that support cutting-edge scientific research. You will lead a team of engineers delivering planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and reactive maintenance activities, ensuring all works are completed safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.
You will be responsible for a wide range of systems and equipment, including:
- Refrigeration and air conditioning systems
- Air handling units (AHUs)
- Fan coil units (FCUs)
- Chillers, including absorption chillers
- Data centre cooling systems
- Controlled environment rooms and chambers
- Specialist laboratory and research facilities
Key Responsibilities
- Supervise and coordinate the delivery of planned and reactive maintenance activities.
- Lead and support a team of engineers and specialist contractors.
- Ensure building services plant and equipment remain safe, compliant and fully operational.
- Manage maintenance activities in accordance with statutory requirements and SFG20 maintenance standards.
- Monitor contractor performance and ensure works are delivered to required standards.
- Investigate faults and implement effective corrective actions.
- Maintain accurate maintenance records and compliance documentation.
- Promote a strong health and safety culture across all activities.
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and energy efficiency.
- Participate in the out-of-hours emergency call-out rota.
About You
To be successful in this role, you will have:
Essential
- Significant experience within commercial building services maintenance, with a strong air conditioning and refrigeration bias.
- Experience supervising maintenance teams and coordinating contractors.
- In-depth technical knowledge of refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
- Experience working with AHUs, FCUs, chillers and associated mechanical plant.
- Good understanding of statutory compliance requirements and industry best practice.
- Knowledge of planned preventative maintenance programmes and SFG20 standards.
- Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and organisational abilities.
- Commitment to health, safety and quality standards.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
- Relevant HVAC, refrigeration or mechanical engineering qualification.
- F-Gas certification.
- Experience working within laboratories, research facilities, higher education or similarly complex environments.
- Knowledge of building management systems (BMS).
- Experience of controlled environment facilities.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to play a key role in maintaining specialist facilities that support internationally recognised scientific research. You will join a collaborative and supportive team environment and contribute directly to the success of a world-renowned research organisation.
