Durham University
Maintenance Plumber
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Job Title: Maintenance Plumber
Department: Estates and Facilities
Estates Operations
Grade: Grade 5
Salary range: £27,319, up to £30,378 (depending on experience)
Working arrangements: Permanent
Full time (35 hours) Monday to Friday
Participation in an on-call rota for out of hours cover
(on-call and attendance payments applicable)
Overtime, subject to workload
Closing date: Wednesday 30th September 2026
As we have a high volume of applications for our vacancies. If you have applied for this role in the last 3 months and not been successful, our practice is usually not to consider another application for 3 months
Shortlisting and interviews will take place throughout the advertising period and if it is possible to fill the vacancy before the specified closing date, the advert will closed immediately.
The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.
Further information about the University can be found here.
The Role and Department
As a member of the Estates and Facilities Directorate directly employed labour team, you will undertake mechanical repairs and maintenance work, to an agreed level, in compliance with industry standards, statutory requirements, and relevant codes of practice in a professional and customer-focussed manner.
The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses.
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University, you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
- 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year (39 days per year). The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
- Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
- Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
- The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
- Discounts are available via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
- We offer generous pension schemes.
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Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.
As a University, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
Qualifications/Experience
- Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics.
- NVQ Level 2 in Plumbing, including City and Guilds Plumbing and Heating, advanced craft in plumbing/heating, or equivalent approved training.
- Professional craftsperson/practitioner with knowledge and expertise in buildings or estates services.
- Experience of working within a team to ensure the delivery of high-quality services.
- Experience of contributing to the delivery of mechanical and plumbing services in residential, educational or commercial buildings.
- Experience of hot and cold water, heating and waste/drainage systems.
- Experience of diagnosing and repairing faults in mechanical/plumbing services installations.
- Experience of managing time to meet deadlines.
- Experience of completing maintenance documentation and related records.
- Experience of achieving service delivery and performance targets.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
- Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications.
- Ability to solve problems yourself and as part of a team and plan appropriate solutions.
- Good knowledge of other building services disciplines and experience of working alongside other trades.
- Ability to interpret work to be undertaken as outlined in routine instruction, drawings and specification.
- Health and safety compliance knowledge, including risk assessments and method statements.
- Ability to estimate material requirements.
- Ability to use and operate the usual range of tools and equipment associated with the trade.
- Ability to work on own initiative with minimal supervision.
- Good customer care skills.
- Flexible attitude to multi-skilled maintenance tasks, designed to maximise operational effectiveness.
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Desirable Criteria
- Industry or professional knowledge/recognition relevant to the role supported by relevant courses or certification.
- Committed to continuing professional development.
- Ability to provide support for infrastructure projects.
- Experience of working in occupied properties, historic and listed buildings.
- Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.
- Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.
How to apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria, we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence.
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.
What you are required to submit
- A CV
- A supporting statement/covering letter, which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.
Contact details
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Dave Profit, Head of Maintenance Services, david.profit@durham.ac.uk, would be happy to speak to you.
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery
- Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
- Undertake all plumbing and small engineering works across the estate, appropriate to the grade and qualifications, including day-to-day repairs, planned maintenance and minor installation work.
- Identify priorities and monitor processes and activities to ensure success.
- When carrying out your role, apply relevant industry and professional standards to ensure that our facilities are safe, secure and appropriate for public access and use.
- Respond to queries and provide information/advice, while raising more specialist or complex queries with more experienced team members.
- Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role and make recommendations based on your findings.
- Use your technical knowledge and specialist skills to build, adapt, construct and repair fabric, fittings, buildings, services and equipment using the resources available to you.
- Ensure that information used to analyse the service being delivered is accurate and provide reports and analysis of patterns and trends to senior colleagues.
- Monitor and analyse the use of equipment and resources to ensure efficiency and report your findings to senior colleagues.
- Manage and monitor the use of components, resources and equipment.
- Deliver infrastructure support
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