Introduction
Building maintenance officers are responsible for the
well being of council property stock such as schools, offices,
sports facilities, libraries, theatres and occasionally
housing. They co-ordinate reactive day-to-day maintenance,
programmed maintenance & minorworks contracts and provide a
professional service on all aspects of property and construction in
respect of the Authority's building assets.
This entails general maintenance, refurbishment and adaptation
and involves contributing to surveys, design and
construction. The post is sometimes called Field Engineer and
can often be found in all types of authority which have a building
surveying/engineering section within an architectural
consultancy. It is an ideal opportunity foranyone with a
services-trade based background to begin a professional design and
maintenance career. Also, it can be a good step forward
forthose who have already set out on the building
surveying/services route.
Work Environment
Part of the work is office based involving the use of
computers, but most of the time engineers will be on building
sites. This involves strenuous activity such as lifting of
equipment, using ladders and scaffolding to get at high and
restricted areas as well as confined spaces. In some cases this
might mean dealing with fragile structures, partially
collapsedorunstable surfaces & ground, inspection of drainage
systems and management of hazardous materials. As part of an
emergency cover service, the officer/engineer can also be called
out to any site at any time, night and day, and in all kinds of
weather. Health and Safety procedures are of the utmost
importance. Protective clothing - hard hats, strong boots and
highly visible coats - is provided. The hours are flexible
and total 37 per week, but emergency shifts are disruptive of any
set routines.
Daily Activities
Building Maintenance Officers are responsible for
day-to-day reactive maintenance issues. They are also
responsible for the preparation, design and supervision of a range
of building projects where refurbishment, repair and adaptation to
existing property are taking place. Because there are so many
different types of buildings and services and construction methods,
maintenance officers/engineers have to apply wide ranging skills
and technical knowledge. They are required to assess the need for
particular repairsor alterations bearing in mind environmental
issues - especially sustainability and energy efficiency, (they
might consider the installation of solar heating, for example).
Often, officers/engineers are part of a council Commercial
Consultancy. From the beginning of a project, maintenance
officers/field engineers will:
- Assess, prioritise and issue instructions fordiverse reactive
maintenance issues. Inspect the repairs and implement
payments.
- manage commissions and confirm briefs with clients, establish
design team needs, assist in monitoring and reviewing working
practices, provide instruction when necessary and report back to
the Principal Building Surveyor/Engineer
- prepare feasibility studies, produce design work and technical
reports and advise the Principal Quantity Surveyorabout the best
tender options - this will involve preparing contract drawings and
valuations forwork, certifying accounts and producing certificates
forpayments
- as project leader of construction contracts, direct the team
and keep the client up to date with progress, variations and
costs
- take action when problems occur
- establish that health and safety considerations have been fully
met by all consultants and contractors ( they have the power to
close down wholeorparts of a building in cases of
majordecayorincidents)
- negotiate the appropriate fees forproject work , generate
external income forthe council and balance their budgets.
Maintenance officers are responsible forprofessional advice on
construction projects and liaise with planning officers, building
control, estates management services and statutory authorities in
the community such as funding agencies as well as consultants,
contractors and clients. They are also required to undertake
condition surveys and establish value formoney procedures. This
will include attending to any building and engineering service
defects and identifying priorities foraction. As officers/engineers
are part of a profit-making consultancy on behalf of the council,
an important aspect of their role is marketing. They need to
promote their services to schools and external bodies to get work
and provide income forthe local authority. As project leaders, they
are also responsible forsupervising juniortechnical and
administrative staff. On sensitive matters - enforced
refurbishment, perhaps even condemning unsafe property - they may
sometimes have to deal with irate and abusive third parties.
Skills & Interests
Maintenance officers/engineers should have:
- leadership skills
- good numeracy and literacy ability
- statistical and financial acumen
- ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in
writing
- ability to get on with people from different backgrounds
- physical fitness
- drawing board, IT and CAD skills
- presentational and marketing skills
- appreciation of various construction techniques, building
services, appropriate use of materials and application of
requisite legislation.
Entry Requirements
It is necessary to have a professional qualification
normally at degree,orthe equivalent level, in building
construction/surveyingorservices engineering/maintenance
techniques. Engineering entrance may be at HNC level OR a
trade-based qualification. You will be expected to undertake
continuing professional development (CPD). Membership of a relevant
professional body is helpful. It is essential to have had
experience of directing contractorand technical staff, building and
site supervisory work, construction services and maintenance
techniques, trades and craftsorbuilding surveying/ building
services. Experience in a commercial environment is desirable.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There are many opportunities foradvancement in building
engineering, building maintenance and surveying services including
design, installation and construction as well as general estates
management (property, asset and facilities management). The
next step up within this particular section is Senior/Principal
Building Maintenance Officer. There are similar opportunities
in the private construction and surveying sectors.
Further Information & Services
Summit Skills www.summitskills.org.uk
Construction careers & recruitment information www.careersinconstruction.com
Construction Skills www.citb.co.uk
Chartered Institute of Building www.ciob.org.uk
Association of Building Engineers www.abe.org.uk
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers www.cibse.org
Asset Skills www.assetskills.org
Modern Building Services Journal www.modbs.co.uk
Royal institute of Chartered Surveyors- www.rics.org
The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists- www.ciat.org.uk
The Institute of Clerk of Works- www.icwgb.org
Careers Wales have produced a Spotlight article on careers
in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths): https://www.careerswales.com/en/spotlight-on-stem/
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.