Small Works Supervisor

Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £39,375 to £43,313 (depending on skills and experience)
Contract Type: Open ended (Permanent)
Hours: Full-time
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX
Closing date: 22nd May 2024

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

Key accountabilities

Delivering modern, flexible, and resilient in-house Building Works Services, to maximise the operating efficiency and longevity of the scientific estate built environment.

The role will actively lead, develop, own, and manage electrical, mechanical (HVAC) and building fabric minor work construction schemes to support and enhance the scientific estate.

The post holder is responsible for successfully delivering minor new works and maintenance-derived activities supporting STFC’s estate and scientific programme. STFC appoints government framework consultants and contractors to help deliver this programme of work, and this role is instrumental in developing good working relationships with the supply chain, ensuring high levels of quality, craftsmanship and value for money from it.

The post holder will engage and consult with the Estates Management Team at RAL, and other stakeholders to help derive and deliver a programme of planned and reactive maintenance activities for fabric and grounds assets. This will be delivered through the Estate's in-house trades or outsourced specialists.

Role Responsibilities

• To be responsible for the oversight and delivery of construction and maintenance works, typically up to £250k in value, ensuring that these are completed to a high standard of workmanship, in accordance with the agreed programme and in accordance with the agreed budget.
• To oversee and inspect contractor work delivery and gauge performance against contract specifications and KPIs.
• Carry out regular site inspections, snagging, preparing schedules of defects, and certifying rectification of snagging items.
• To scope and deliver building services condition improvement schemes, working with the in-house Survey Team, determining the necessity for and priority of repair or improvement work.
• To produce and maintain accurate records and appropriate certificates relevant to the works.
• Monitor the progress of work schemes against the agreed programme of work and report any slippage or variations to the Minor Works Manager.
• To review construction phase plans and RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statement) produced by contractors as necessary.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders, including those within the STFC and external to the campus, to ensure that their requirements are considered at all stages of the work.
• Manage the efficient handover of the completed work to the client.
• To build and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with colleagues and other departments across the estate.
• To keep current with all legislation, regulations, and technical developments regarding building construction.
• Any other specific maintenance works, construction projects or Estates Services Department activity identified by the Works Manager.
• To deliver excellent customer service, quality of work, high standards, and professionalism.
• Champion the Estates service in a positive manner.
• Deliver a high level of customer service.
• Attend appropriate training to support the role and service delivery.
• To maintain regular communications with the Minor Works Manager.
• Provide detailed constructive updates to the Minor Works Manager on each project/work activity on a frequency determined by the Minor Works Manager.
• To ensure all work has been completed in accordance with the agreed specification, signed off by all the relevant parties, including any operations and maintenance (O&M) manuals.
• Any other reasonable management request.

Estates and Corporate Responsibilities

As a member of STFC’s Estates Services, proactively support the Estates remit to deliver flexible, customer focused and efficient services that support the delivery of STFC’s vision, values and objectives. 

The Estates Services team needs to be agile and able to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our diverse customer base therefore it is expected that the post holder will demonstrate a flexible and adaptable approach.  

All members of the Estates team will, from time to time, be expected to lead or participate (appropriate to Band level) in STFC and Estates projects that may be outside their normal remit.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• HNC/ONC/NVQ 3 technical qualification or equivalent in Building Services Engineering or a similar construction-related discipline.
• Hold SMSTS qualification.

Desirable

• Full membership of a recognised professional body e.g., RICS, CIOB, RIBA, IHBC etc.
• Project Management qualification.

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Demonstrate significant experience in the building/construction industry, with a particular focus on electrical and mechanical services installation and commissioning.
• Must possess proven experience in defect analysis, preparing condition schedules/specifications for minor building works and contract managing on-site works.
• Must be able to demonstrate experience of successful project and budget management.
• Have a good knowledge of statutory and industry compliance requirements, including IEE Wiring Regulations, building regulations, listed CDM and health and safety legislation.
• Proven experience of managing or working with contractors and managing maintenance and property improvements is essential across an extensive client portfolio; ideally you will also have either extensive experience within the commercial, retail or licensed sectors or within the public sector.
• You should be able to demonstrate a broad-based knowledge of building construction work, monitor contracts, supervise onsite, and demonstrate effective prioritisation and decision-making skills.
• The ability to manage minor refurbishment projects ranging from £1k – £250k.

Desirable

• To demonstrate experience in estimating the cost of works.
• To demonstrate knowledge of specialist computer software such as AutoCAD, MS Project etc.

Personal Skills and Qualities
Essential

• The ability to take on a high degree of responsibility, excellent communication presentation and interpersonal skills, combined with a high degree of self-motivation and time management. The successful candidate must be able to work flexibly and operate proactively.
• Must have excellent communication, IT and organisational skills.

Desirable

• A wide general knowledge and awareness of the issues and themes relevant to a large technical campus and its Estates development and issues.

STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, a workplace nursery, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another. 

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn – about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself.

Join us and discover what’s possible by submitting your CV and covering letter which outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for STFC and the role.