Introduction

Building maintenance officers are responsible for the well being of council property stock such as schools, concert halls and offices and occasionally housing. 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 – usually not found in county councils. It is an ideal opportunity for anyone with a services-trade based background to begin a professional design and maintenance career.

Also, it can be a good step forward for those 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 partially collapsed or unstable surfaces and ground. As part of an emergency cover service, too, the officer/engineer can 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

Maintenance officers are directly 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 repairs or 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:

• 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 Surveyor about the best tender options – this will involve preparing contract drawings and valuations for work, certifying accounts and producing certificates for payments
• 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 whole or parts of a building in cases of major decay or incidents)
• negotiate the appropriate fees for project work , generate external income for the council and balance their budgets.

Maintenance officers are responsible for professional 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 for money procedures. This will include attending to any building and engineering service defects and identifying priorities for action. 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 for the local authority. As project leaders, they are also responsible for supervising junior technical 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 building services, materials and legislation.

Entry Requirements

It is necessary to have a professional qualification normally at degree, or the equivalent level, in building construction/surveying or services 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 contractor and technical staff, building and site supervisory work, construction services and maintenance techniques, trades and crafts or building surveying/ building services. Experience in a commercial environment is desirable.

Estimated salary range

£17,823 – £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 are many opportunities for advancement 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.

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

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

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Building Maintenance Officer/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.