Introduction
The Property or Building Services section is responsible for
providing architectural, electrical and mechanical engineering
services to other council departments, council properties and some
external bodies. As part of this commitment, the heating
engineer is responsible for implementing and maintaining a
comprehensive heating and hot and cold water service.
Work Environment
As councils are builders, developers, managers and owners of a
number of buildings and land within the public and private domain,
heating engineers have to travel around to many locations. They
have an office base in central headquarters for design and planning
work, meetings and discussions. Sometimes their duties will
involve them in dirty and difficult situations but protective
clothing is provided. They will need to carry a collection of
tools with them. The standard working week is 37 hours but
attending to emergencies will require working anti-social shifts
and flexibility is essential.
Daily Activities
To implement and manage a comprehensive heating maintenance
service. To ensure that all undertakings comply with Local
Government Legislation and all statutory requirements and that the
service's objectives are achieved.
- Implement, supervise and manage an annual domestic heating
service programme for all types of fuel.
- Undertaken surveys of dwellings to ascertain the conditions
within the buildings for suitability in respect of heating, i.e.
hot water installations
- Design heating and hot water installations, prepare schedules
and specifications.
- Programme annual servicing, monitor and post inspect.
- Supervise and direct staff directly responsible to the
postholder. Provide technical assistance, motivate and
encourage staff.
- Monitor work to be carried out by sub-contractors, in
connection with service, maintenance, repairs, renewals and
upgrading of heating systems.
- Officer assistance to other officers of the Directorate seeking
technical advice.
- Assistant with and resolve any problems from other gas engineer
or plumber, electricians from other departments. Offer
required sit e visits with hands-on experience.
Skills & Interests
You would need:
- the ability to produce written reports and cost
analysis;
- basic PC skills;
- good communication and organisational skills;
- literacy and numeracy;
- to be calm in an emergency situation;
- to be self motivated;
- to be a team player;
- the ability to make decisions;
- an awareness of industry and technology changes;
- an understanding attitude towards tenants' concerns.
In order to do the job effectively knowledge would be required
of:
- health and safety;
- Council for Registered Gas Installers - CORGI;
- gas safety;
- current codes of practice.
Entry Requirements
The applicant must be qualified in all aspects of gas and must
re-take these examinations every 5 years. Also required is
good knowledge of electrics, e.g. boilers, heating systems.
Knowledge of British Standards and Health and Safety Regulations is
also required. It is desirable to have worked in local
authorities or similar, preferably domestic services and have some
knowledge of building regulations.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There will always be a need for engineers, of all kinds. You can
make sideways moves to electrical engineer or technical
administrator. Above that is the post of Head of Architecture and
Building Services and other senior management positions. There are
numerous opportunities in the private sector.
Further Information & Services
Building & Engineering Services Association www.b-es.org
Engineering Council www.engc.org.uk
Gas Safe Register www.gassaferegister.co.uk
SEMTA www.semta.org.uk
SummitSkills www.summitskills.org.uk
The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers www.cibse.org
Careers Wales have produced Spotlight articles on careers
in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths): https://www.careerswales.com/en/spotlight-on-stem/ and
careers in construction: https://www.careerswales.com/en/spotlight-on-construction/
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.