The University of Manchester
Shift Plant Operator (Building Services Technician)

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Shift Plant Operator (Building Services Technician)
The Directorate of Estates and Facilities is seeking a Shift Plant Operator (Building Services Technician) to join Facilities Maintenance and Compliance. The role is responsible for monitoring, adjusting and responding to building services plant and associated systems across the University estate, including steam raising boiler plant and associated equipment. The role supports the effective delivery of a safe, efficient and cost-effective engineering, building improvement and maintenance service.
Responsibilities
You will be responsible for:
- Monitor and adjust steam raising boiler plant and associated controls, both manually and through PC-based Building Management Systems.
- Read, understand and accurately record digital and analogue meter readings.
- Monitor, interpret and adjust building services plant and equipment, including responding to alarms, telephone notifications and supervisory instructions.
- Assist Building Services Technicians with installation, improvement, inspection, survey and maintenance activities.
- Carry out semi-skilled work across building services in line with competency, training and safe systems of work.
About You
You should demonstrate:
Essential Criteria
- Training to NVQ Level 2 in Engineering Maintenance, or equivalent. This may be replaced by an appropriate skills audit where both parties are confident that competency can be adequately demonstrated.
- Relevant experience of plant monitoring and adjustment, including steam raising boiler plant, its distribution and control accessories, or significant experience within an electrical, mechanical or building services related discipline.
- Ability to monitor, interpret and adjust plant and equipment; accurately record meter readings and plant data; use specialist and diagnostic equipment safely; complete associated documentation; and communicate technical information clearly to colleagues and stakeholders.
- Must be capable of accessing all parts of the University estate, including working at height, in confined spaces, plant rooms, roofs, laboratories, lecture theatres, building sites and other internal and external locations.
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Desirable Criteria
- Working knowledge of, or willingness to train to an acceptable level in, health and safety legislation, mechanical regulations and best practice, materials ordering, job/project/procurement software, steam raising plant, steam distribution accessories, steam control equipment and IT to ECDL standard.
- Understanding of Building Management Systems, plant alarms, operational instructions and the safe monitoring and adjustment of building services plant and equipment.
- Flexible approach to new technology, training requirements, shift working and working across all parts of the University estate with minimal supervision where appropriate.
Our Benefits
- Generous employer pension contribution
- Christmas closure across all departments outside of annual leave and bank holidays
- Purple Place employee discount platform


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For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.
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Enquiries About The Role, Shortlisting And Interviews
Name: Business Support Team
Email: FMCOperationalServices@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries and administrative support
recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk
Technical and job portal support
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must demonstrate the right to work in the UK.
Applications close at midnight on the closing date.
Previous applicants need not apply.
Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.
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