Salary: £32,080 to £33,002 with progression to £34,610 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 12 June 2026
The Role
The Direct Works Team are looking for an experienced & reliable Plumbing and Heating Engineer to join their dynamic team carrying out day-to-day maintenance across the University. At Newcastle University, you’ll join a skilled, in-house Estates & Facilities team delivering high quality work across a diverse and interesting estate. Unlike site-based construction roles, we offer permanent employment, stable hours and excellent work–life balance, including generous annual leave and a Christmas shutdown.
Based within the Estates & Facilities Service you will undertake a variety of mechanical maintenance and installation tasks, as well as supporting other Estates & Facilities teams and trades as required.
You should be qualified to City and Guilds Advanced standard, NVQ level 3 or equivalent and have served a recognized apprenticeship or undergone modern training to an equivalent standard. Working as part of the Maintenance team carrying out efficient, effective repairs and planned preventative maintenance on all types of mechanical plant, including heating systems, pipework and pumps, ventilation systems, hot and cold-water services & above ground drainage.
The role will require regular manual handling, working at heights and occasionally working within walk-in ducts. A full driving license is required, due to on call nature of this work, not only could this be outside of public transport timings, due to size and scope of campus, travelling safely with relevant tools and job specific equipment requires use of university vehicle. Should you be successfully appointed occupational health will conduct a health surveillance at on boarding stage.
The successful applicant will be required to participate in our 24hr emergency on call rota and may occasionally be required to work evening or weekends.
We offer a competitive salary, strong pension, wellbeing support and access to outstanding on‑campus facilities. If you’re looking for long‑term security, varied work and a better balance, Newcastle University is a great place to work.
For further information please contact Mr. Martin Elsy, Direct Works Manager, Estate Support Service, Newcastle University, Drummond Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
[email protected].
To apply please upload your CV and cover letter providing examples and evidence related to the requirements of the role.
We also ask that you confirm you have a full UK driving license, mandatory question.
Key Accountabilities
- To carry out a wide range of trade related duties in order to improve the estate infrstructure. This will include but not be limited to Mechanical Building Services both internal and external, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, hot and cold water systems, fume extract, grey and black water systems. With training, ensure that room environments are adequately controlled by interrogation of the Building Managment System.
- To carry out Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM) and defect repairs, both routine and emergency to all elements of mechanical building services and equipment, including any appropriate mandatory inspection and testing. Carry out minor installation and improvement works throughout the University’s properties
- Organise personal workloads and supervise any Maintenance Assistants, Apprentices or other staff members who may have been assigned to them as a team. Arrange and gain access to any area of the University in order to carry out the timely repair of defects including the requisition of any required spare parts
- Develop solutions to problems relating to mechanical services systems, carry out a diagnostic approach to the resolution of mechanical defects using the Building Energy Management System where appropriate. This will require the application of technical knowledge and the use of innovative and imaginative thinking. With training, the post holder will be expected to carry out minor electrical works relating to mechanical services, this will require the application of technical knowledge and the use of innovative and imaginative thinking
- Carry out isolation of mechanical building services, to enable the issue of isolation certificates and “Permits to Work” (where appropriate) to contractors to ensure their safety. Reinstate supplies after verifying that work has been completed. Liaise with school/services contacts and safety representatives when undertaking works which may affect the normal operation of a system
- Participate in an “on-call” rota outside of normal working hours, covering all of the properties maintained by Estates and Facilities, ensuring where possible an uninterrupted 24hr/365 day service. Respond to reports of problems and decide on appropriate courses of action, liaise with Security and any emergency services referring to Supervisor’s in exceptional circumstances only
- Liaise with other trades, teams and services across Estates & Facilities, as required to ensure communication is clear and accurate. This may include occasionally working with external sub-contractors
- Act as “ears and eyes” to Estates & Facilities providing feedback to Supervisor and managers about those systems, installations and plant that they may encounter where working practices may no longer be appropriate or acceptable, or where safety systems may be compromised. Take appropriate action to ensure the safety of themselves and others
- Ensure the accurate and timely recording of works using current (PlanOn) and future technology systems to assess and account for the processes, actions and procedures carried out by the team. Ensuring compliance with service level standards, health and safety legislation and enabling improved effectiveness of the team through the monitoring of data
- Ensure the above work is carried out in compliance with all applicable legislation, codes of practice, bye laws and Health and Safety requirements. This is to ensure (as far as reasonably practicable) a safe environment. Be familiar with and understand the requirements of health and safety guidelines and University policies and procedures particularly with reference to asbestos, fire and COSHH. Be familiar with and able to work to standard risk assessments and where applicable revise job specific risk assessments
- Where necessary carry out site or job specific risk assessments to ensure the safety of colleagues, staff, students, and visitors to the University. Arrange any documentation which may be required in accordance with the University Safety Management System
- Carry out other duties as may be deemed necessary by the Direct Works Manager, Maintenance Officers, or Maintenance Supervisors
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
- Significant practical and theoretical knowledge of the post holders discipline including plumbing
- An ability to determine the operating principles and develop subsequent fault resolutions to complex engineering plant/systems when failure occurs
- Time served with demonstrable experience in maintenance, repair, and refurbishment of new buildings and extensions/alterations to existing buildings
- Experience of working in a University, Hospital, or similar setting
- Driving licence is required, post holders may be required to drive a University vehicle for operational purposes
Desirable
- Basic electrical knowledge and skills
- Membership of the Water Industry Approved Plumber scheme (WIAPS)
- Practical and theoretical skills to NVQ level 3 over a greater range of activities that would normally be encountered by such a craftsperson
- Experience of working on Steam Plant and equipment such as Spirax Sarco
- Computer literacy would be highly desirable
Qualifications
Essential
- An appropriate City and Guilds Mechanical Craft Certificate or NVQ Level 3 in an Engineering Maintenance discipline
Desirable
- Gas qualifications – COCN1, 1CPN1, TCPC1, TPCP1A, CIGA1, ICAE1, CCN1, CEN1 and any other modules deemed necessary to carry out works on University systems
- An approved water regulations certificate
- NVQ Level 3 in a pathway outside of their core discipline
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 28447
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