R&M Technical Support Officers

Job Advert

We are currently looking to recruit two Repairs & Maintenance Technical Support Officers (Stock Condition) to join our dynamic Asset & Investment Team. The successful applicants will perform a vital role informing the strategic focus of Falkirk Council’s Housing Investment Programme (HIP). 

You will be required to carry out accurate Stock Condition Surveys and Energy Efficiency Assessments in relation to our domestic housing stock and certain commercial assets. This will include making informed decisions on all aspects of property condition, life expectancy of building elements and the requirement for repairs and maintenance of components based upon physical inspections informed by data from existing stock records and property updates collected from other sources. In addition, you will provide technical advice, guidance and support to other Falkirk Council Staff in relation to meeting their individual responsibilities.

You will carry out comprehensive surveys of our properties to quantify their condition and the need for investment and repairs. This will include the need to record accurate property data and measurements to update our Stock Condition Database and other associated data records.

Prior experience of conducting House Condition Surveys and a thorough knowledge of construction technology and reactive & planned maintenance in the domestic housing sector is desirable.

Requirements

You will carry out comprehensive technical inspections of Council owned properties, quantify repairs, provide accurate measurements, and issue work instructions on a frequent basis. You will also be required to inspect work carried out by contractors and act as necessary to ensure works are completed timeously and to specification. A sound knowledge of reactive and planned maintenance in the domestic housing sector is essential. Knowledge of domestic/commercial electrical installations is also desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• The postholder must hold an HNC in Building Construction or equivalent.
• The postholder must have significant experience in the building maintenance industry and have proven practical experience of maintenance in the domestic housing sector.
• The postholder must have proven experience in dealing with the public.

• Current construction legislation.
• IT skills included proficiency in software packages such as Microsoft Word, Excel etc.
• Contract law.
• Construction Design and Management regulations (CDM)
• It would be desirable for the postholder to have knowledge of the following areas:
• Housing practice and legislation.
• Electrical Inspections in relation to BS 7671 (2018).
• An awareness of contractor compliance relating to the 18th edition of the I.E.E. Wiring Regulations. BS7671 201

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• To respond to requests for technical assistance from staff of the local housing offices and Emergency Contact Centre
• Inspect fire and flood damaged houses to ascertain extent of damage and quantify repairs, including provision of accurate measures.
• As required provide specifications, i.e. doors, windows, roofs etc.
• Liaise with and inspect work carried out by in-house and external contractors, taking action to ensure all works are completed on target and within specification.
• Carry out ad-hoc and planned maintenance house condition surveys and liaise with all relevant parties.
• Request Technical Appraisals of complex maintenance problems and to liaise as required with appropriate staff from other Services to ensure that comprehensive assessments and recommendations are received.
• Liaise with outside agencies, i.e., Transco, Scottish Power etc.
• Liaise with staff, tenants, private owners, Elected Members and the general public with regard to General maintenance and Housing Investment Programme related issues.

The Individual

Demands

• The postholder will require to have the ability to prioritise their workload based on competing demands.
• Exposed to demanding Tenants/Owner Occupiers who can subject the Postholder to verbal abuse.
• The work demands investigatory and analytical skills.
• The postholder will be required to interrogate a number of housing repairs and asset management systems, analyse the information obtained and prepare management reports where required.
• The postholder must be able to deal with emergency situations and instruct the implementation of work within safe working practices.
• Walking, driving, working at height, and working within enclosed spaces are essential requirements of this post.

Communications and contacts

• he postholder requires excellent oral and written communication skills which will be used frequently to effectively communicate with their own department, other departments and outside agencies.
• The postholder will require to communicate at all levels effectively and must possess excellent interpersonal skills.
• The postholder must be able to interpret technical data and to communicate this information effectively to people from a non-technical background.
• Regular contact with the public, staff of other departments and agencies and with contractors.

Environment

• The post holder will work remotely but will be required during the course of the day to attend office meetings and training sessions.
• The postholder may be required to attend emergencies or meetings out with normal office hours which may conflict with their leisure time.
• The requirement to work under pressure to meet performance standards and deadlines and the ability to work on own initiative is essential.