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 has a special remit for all aspects of the heating and hot and cold water installations. The post can be found in all types of authority except for county councils.

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

On any one day, heating engineers could be involved in one or more of the following duties, either in new/improvement/replacement programmes or individual projects:

• assuming responsibility for the design, contractual specification, site organization, supervision, inspection and testing of new heating, hot and cold water installations and any upgrading work including all associated electrical and builders work
• organising the supervision and inspection of new gas appliance installations such as water heaters, warm air units/boilers as part of the council’s programme for the replacement of old and faulty equipment – which the heating engineer prepares
• making sure that the tenant and contractor are fully aware of the implications of any new heating, hot water and gas installations
• keeping records of all installations
• individually inspecting installations and carrying out repairs where necessary
• conducting a final check on all work to see if everything is functioning correctly and according to specification
• assuming responsibility for the operation and maintenance of heating, hot and cold water services in all properties, including correcting faults, supervising employees working on the installations, together with all associated contractual and administrative duties
• liaising with other sections of the department and other directorates so that the system works smoothly
• checking existing services and installations
• providing technical advice to other departments and units
• attending out of hours call-out when necessary
• monitoring health and safety procedures.

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.

And in order to do the job effectively you would need knowledge of:

• health and safety
• Council for Registered Gas Installers – CORGI
• gas safety
• current codes of practice.

Entry Requirements

The minimum qualification is HNC, but a degree or the equivalent is usually required – in mechanical and electrical engineering for example.

You would need to have ten years experience with central heating and gas installation having supervised a number of contractors and tradesmen. Knowledge of tenant, contractor relationship is also essential.

It is desirable that you have worked in local authorities or similar, preferably domestic services and have some knowledge of building regulations.

Estimated salary range

£19,770 – £22,971

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

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.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Building Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.

Further Information & Services

SummitSkills www.summitskills.org.uk

Heating & Ventilating Contractors’ Association www.hvca.org.uk

Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers www.cibse.org

Engineering Council www.engc.org.uk

SEMTA www.semta.org.uk

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Heating Engineer vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com - the official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers – The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in – ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.