Assistant Building Management System Engineer

Job Title:                               Assistant Building Management System (BMS) Engineer (Development Role)

Department                           Estates and Facilities

                                               Estates Operations

Grade:                                   Grade 6 (development role moving to Grade 7 following successful completion of formal qualification and development plan – approximately three years)

Salary range:                        £29,605 - £36,024

Working arrangements:      Full time (35 hours)

                                               Permanent

                                               Evenings and weekend working, as business needs

                                               There may be a requirement to participation in an out-of-hours on-call rota, relevant to area of work

                                               Hybrid working (minimum of two days per week onsite, depending on business needs, after an initial training/induction period)

Closing date:                        Sunday 14th April 2024

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 Assistant Building Management System (BMS) Engineer, you will assist the Senior BMS Engineer in providing a highly effective, efficient and customer-focused service across the University Estate, developing, implementing and managing the Building Management Systems across the University.

You will be part of the Estates Operations, Engineering Maintenance Team, and will report to the Senior BMS Engineer.  You will assist engineering colleagues to optimise the energy performance of mechanical and electrical building services assets across the University’s estate and will operate in close collaboration with the Energy Management team, to identify, implement and monitor energy saving initiatives and support the University’s Net Zero/ decarbonisation objectives.

Both office and site-based, you will help ensure building services systems are operated as efficiently as possible, improving their performance where possible.  You will assist in the maintenance and day-to-day running of the BMS and associated controls and will be required to diagnose faults, and carry out repairs and maintenance of field equipment, as required as your development progresses.  You will work closely with other specialist contractors to improve and maintain the BMS systems within all buildings.

You will assist in implementing works identified and funded within the various maintenance programmes and operate a system for dealing with day-to day requirements, including the participation in an out-of-hours emergency service.

This is a development role and you will, in addition to existing engineering maintenance skills, have the ability and potential to develop engineering, management and leadership attributes and skills.  You will undertake a development programme (duration subject to experience), leading to a formal technical qualification.

You will be required to complete a BCIA Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) Controls Engineer Apprenticeship.  This will form part of your development plan, created in conjunction with you, focusing on the requirements of the Grade 7 role, and considering your individual needs.  Your plan will be regularly reviewed and form the basis of the assessment to move to the Grade 7 role.  It is anticipated that the development process will take 36 months from enrolment on this apprenticeship programme to complete.  However, this is subject to experience and qualifications gained and may be extended if the University considers it necessary.

Upon successful completion of the development programme and plan, you will move to the Grade 7  (BMS Maintenance Engineer), for which the job description is HERE .

If you are unable to meet the full requirements of the Grade 7 post, at the end of the development process, subject to performance, you may be retained in the Grade 6 post.

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 – a total of 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.

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 that is supportive and inclusive.  It’s important to us that all our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

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

1.      Professional craftsperson/practitioner qualified to AM2 / City & Guilds Level 3 or equivalent in an Electrical discipline.

2.      Technically competent in building maintenance, with electrical bias and a good understanding of HVAC systems, (although detailed knowledge will be gained through the development phase).

3.      Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

5.      Good spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

6.      Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including digital communication tools and Microsoft 365 applications.

7.      Industry and regulatory knowledge supported by relevant courses or certifications.

8.      Knowledge and experience of health and safety issues such as risk assessments.

9.      Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

10.   Ability to provide BMS support for infrastructure projects.

11.   Committed to continuing professional development to BCIA Advanced Technical Certificate.

12.   Ability to work collaboratively with other team members to ensure the delivery of high-quality services.

13.   Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information

Desirable Criteria

1.      Previous experience within building controls / automation systems.

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 provides 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, Paul Hammond, Head of Engineering maintenance, [email protected] , would be happy to speak to you.

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

·           Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

·           Ensure that the University’s procedures and values are always reflected in all aspects of the service and adapt ways of working where this is not evident.

·           Provide specialist advice and make decisions to resolve problems relating to the services you are responsible for.

·           Deliver infrastructure services and projects in collaboration with other staff and contractors across the University.

·           Manage, maintain and monitor designated equipment, facilities, and systems to ensure safety, and compliance.

·           Provide the best possible service to staff, students and others who you work with by reviewing and make suggestions to improve the service.

·           Collect, organise and record data and information accurately including asset registers and provide reports and information.

·           Carry out specialist risk assessments and resolve incidents that require relevant expertise.

·           Assist in the development of procedures and processes for the improvement of the operation of Estates services.

·           Liaise and network with contractors and third-party suppliers, to facilitate the exchange of information relating to BMS services.

Planning and Organising

·           Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role.

·           Monitor alarms, including life and business critical alarms.  Plan and propose immediate and long-term improvements to reduce alarm traffic.

·           Plan, manage and deliver assigned projects and activities to BMS systems in accordance with agreed objectives.

·           Supervise the work of staff and teams involved in delivering events or project work.

·           Seek feedback from staff, students and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to ensure that the service is being adapted to meet customer expectations.

·           Assist in managing budgets and expenditure including buying goods and services.

Communication/Liaison

·           Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings and working groups.

·           Explain and demonstrate to others how to carry out tasks and use a range of tools, equipment and digital services.

·           Liaise with staff in other areas to provide advice in relation to any Building Management Systems and/or controls.

·           Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers.

·           Build relationships with contractors and third-party suppliers to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives.

·           Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement , which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.