Maintenance and Repairs Officer

Location: Guildford, Surrey
Contract: Interim

About the role

Our client is a local authority in Guildford, Surrey, looking to appoint an interim Maintenance and Repairs Officer to support the delivery of its responsive and planned repairs service. The role suits someone with a practical understanding of housing maintenance who can manage a busy workload and keep residents informed.

The successful candidate will oversee repairs and maintenance work across the council’s properties, from the initial report through to inspection and completion. This includes diagnosing defects, raising and prioritising orders, carrying out site visits and making sure contractors and operatives complete the work to a good standard, on time and within budget. You will deal directly with residents, so clear communication and a sensible, fair approach to customer service matter.

You will work closely with colleagues in housing, asset management, compliance and finance, as well as with contractors and suppliers. The role calls for good attention to detail, as accurate records and cost control are an important part of keeping the service running smoothly. Rate, start date, contract duration and working arrangements will be confirmed with candidates.

Main responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of responsive repairs and maintenance requests, prioritising work according to urgency and policy
• Carry out property inspections to diagnose defects and agree the scope of works
• Raise, monitor and close repair orders, making sure work is completed within target timescales
• Oversee the quality and cost of work carried out by contractors and in-house operatives
• Carry out post-inspections of completed works and resolve any defects or snagging issues
• Handle resident enquiries and complaints, and keep tenants informed of progress
• Manage voids and support the turnaround of empty properties where required
• Liaise with colleagues in compliance, asset management and housing teams on health and safety, planned works and property condition
• Keep accurate records on the housing management system and support performance reporting
• Identify and elevate disrepair concerns, damp and mould cases and other risks to residents
• Support budget monitoring and the authorisation of invoices and variations

Requirements

Essential

• Experience in a housing maintenance, repairs or property services role, ideally within social housing or a local authority
• Practical knowledge of building construction, common defects and repair methods
• Experience of inspecting properties and managing contractor works
• Understanding of landlord repair responsibilities and health and safety requirements
• Good customer service skills, with the ability to deal with residents in a clear and professional way
• Ability to manage a busy workload and work to deadlines
• Competent IT skills, including use of housing or repairs management systems
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle for site visits

Desirable

• A construction, building or surveying qualification
• Previous local authority experience
• Experience of managing void properties
• Experience of dealing with damp, mould and disrepair cases
• Familiarity with contractor frameworks and procurement processes

The offer

This is an interim role based in Guildford, Surrey. Rate, start date, contract duration and working pattern will be confirmed with candidates. It offers the chance to join an established housing team and make a practical difference to the condition of homes and the experience of residents.

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