Maintenance Assistant in Galashiels, United Kingdom

Role:  Maintenance Assistant

Location:  Scottish Borders campus  

Grade and Salary:  Grade 4 - £24,215 - £26,707 per annum

FTE and working pattern: Full Time (35hrs per week worked over a rotating 5 from 7 days, including weekends and statutory days), Open Ended.

Normal service hours are between:

• 7.30am – 9.00pm (M-F)
• 8.30am – 4.30pm (S-S)

Daily work patterns will can be:

• 8.30am – 4.30pm (M-F)
• 7.30am - 3.15pm (M-F)
• 1.15pm - 9.00pm (M-F)
• 8.30 am – 4.30pm (S-S)
• Flexible / Part-time variations to suit the business

(with up to 45 minutes rest break depending on work pattern).

(work patterns will be advised at least 5 working days in advance).

About our Team

Hospitality Services is part of estates and Facilities is a key professional service directorate within the University’s professional services’ operating structure. The directorate has around 300 staff with Hospitality Services being the largest team.

The University’s facilities team has responsibility for managing and maintaining a diverse estate over two campuses which are Edinburgh and Galashiels.

Our Galashiels campus comprises student accommodation with 200+ beds, spread over 3 buildings, and one academic building, the High Mill.

Purpose of Role

To contribute to the successful delivery of facilities serves by the Galashiels team to the students, staff and other users of the High Mill and Jean Muir Student Village, ensuring that relevant areas are maintained to a good standard.

In your role as a Maintenance Assistant you will be responsible for undertaking minor maintenance activities such as basic plumbing, painting and decorating, joinery, electrical light repairs of a semi-skilled nature including statutory compliance checks on water, fire and emergency lighting systems across the various buildings all to the highest level of service for our students, staff and visitors.

You will be required to answer queries, report any defects and assist in keeping the various users informed of site activities and will be expected to complete all work-related documentation accurately and on time, keeping logs of inspections reports and remedial work.

Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities below are the main aspects of the position, but these may vary based on the requirements of the University and you will be required to carry out any reasonable task within your ability.

1. Undertake weekly compliance checks and for Fire Doors & Final Exit Doors in the University’s student accommodation and professional services buildings. Ensure these are operating efficiently and free from any damage likely to create a hazard. Report any faults to the Facilities supervisor or village manager for escalation.
2. Undertake monthly Emergency Lighting flick tests on relevant Buildings and record failures in Logbooks and notify the facilities supervisor of any repairs required. Coordinate with the nominated or qualified electrical staff where required.
3. Following appropriate training, attend to small building maintenance odd jobs including paint touch ups, putting up shelves, replacing toilets seats and toilet roll holders, repairing furniture, replacing silicon in bathrooms, replacing door batteries, hanging pictures and noticeboards, putting up coat hooks, oiling door or table hinges, tightening loose window handles, hanging Fire safety blankets and Fire Safety Signage, unblocking toilets, replacing plugs and chains on sinks, hanging shower curtains, removing graffiti and replacing light bulbs,
4. Report any apparent deficiencies in systems of work or equipment provided that may result in failure of service delivery or risk to health and safety or the environment.
5. Communicate regularly with line manager, liaise with staff, students, visitors and University services
6. Use all work equipment and personal PPE properly and in accordance with training received.
7. Ensure buildings do not have items stored in fire exit routes and are generally clean and tidy.
8. Using initiative and judgement to prioritise own workload to support operational objectives on a day-to-day basis and to ensure operational engagement in local systems procedures particular to buildings on campus and to further support student and staff experience on Heriot Watt’s campus.
9. Work in line with university policies and procedures, make decisions on routine matters escalating matters to the Facilities Supervisor or line manager as appropriate.
10. Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post.
11. Adhere to University policies and procedures relating to Health and Safety, Fire and other relevant policies.
12. Participate in any Health and Safety activities and/or training as required
13. Participate fully in the University’s Personal Development Review process (PDR)
14. Work as part of a team within the Borders Facilities team providing a flexible, cooperative, responsive support service to colleagues and customers alike
15. Additional duties and functions may be required of the post depending on the development and nature of the operation which are not defined at this time but which may reasonably be requested to be carried out.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.

Essential

1. Previous maintenance experience in a similar role
2. Basic knowledge of plumbing, electrical, joinery and general DIY.
3. Confident and knowledgeable about safe work practices and procedures when using hand tools (training for specialist tool/equipment/machinery will be provided).
4. Good written, verbal and interpersonal skills
5. Good level of physical dexterity and ability to carry out a range of manual handling tasks – this includes; lifting, carrying, bending, crouching, stretching
6. Willingness to learn and adapt to new maintenance techniques and technologies
7. Understanding of relevant health and safety policies, safe systems of work and procedures relative to the role, including manual handling and fire safety with experience of assisting with service delivery of facilities operations
8. Excellent customer services skills and proven experience of taking a proactive approach to daily tasks
9. Must have well-developed organisational and time management skills and attention to detail
10. Commitment to Health and Safety and to the Don’t Walk By approach
11. Proactively respond to changes in demand and demonstrate effective problem solving with ability to multitask and assist daily handy person activities across the campus.
12. Valid UK driving licence

Desirable

1. Experience within a Maintenance / Facilities Management environment.
2. Relevant qualifications required, e.g. C&G or equivalent or a trade-related qualification.
3. Knowledge of Health & Safety, Permit to Work procedures and Safe Systems of Working.

This job description is intended as a flexible framework which outlines the key general areas of activity in your position. Other activities may be required which are not outlined above but which are appropriate to the position and grade. Your personal objectives (Forward Job Plan) will also set out specific tasks and objectives for you to achieve, including objectives to help your career development.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV.

Applications can be submitted until midnight on Wednesday 16th September 2026.

Shortlisting aims to be complete by 23 Sept and interview to begin the following week.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

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