Lead Technician Building Services
Lead Technician Building Services
- Posted 11 May 2026
- Salary Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum
- LocationGlasgow
- Reference199113
- Expiry 25 May 2026 23:45
Job description
Please note this vacancy is only open to current contracted University of Glasgow employees.
Job Purpose
To support the Head of Technical Services and the MEP Operations Manager as the lead on major and complex technical issues and provide an initial assessment and subsequently manage the coordination of resources to resolve and escalate as required.
The postholder will be responsible as the Technical lead, for coordinating a multi skilled team ensuring the safety and reliability of all building services systems and equipment within a Zone of the Estate.
The Lead Technician will work proactively to optimise the building assets and to make recommendations for replacements or upgrades.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Responsible for the efficient, effective scheduling and allocation of work to the in-house technical services team and contractors thus ensuring that building services plant and equipment is maintained to the required standards to fulfil business objectives.
Allocate work to meet agreed services levels, giving clear advice and guidance where required on:
* Pre/post inspection of works.
* Specification of materials.
* Liaising with customers/stakeholders.
* Completion of records when works are complete.
Operate Estates Management Information System in accordance with agreed procedures to ensure agreed productivity and efficiency levels and to ensure compliance with relevant Health & Safety Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and the University of Glasgow policies and procedures.
Monitor the performance of Zonal Technical staff and contractors, ensuring appropriate and consistent standards of productivity, workmanship and customer service are achieved. Undertake Performance Development and Review of team members, supporting staff development in line with changing business needs.
Ensure key Mechanical and Electrical Plant and equipment are efficiently monitored and maintained initiating corrective action as required. Ensure all plant equipment is compliant with legislation and all works are planned with health and safety as a top priority.
Operate major infrastructure, plant and equipment, such as the Energy Centre and District Heating system, as well as carrying out proactive and performance checks. Escalate critical issues to Management Team.
Provide first response for major breakdowns or highly complex faults, ensuring priority targets are met for reinstating critical systems. Aim to achieve first fix to return systems to operation, escalate and engage others to facilitate complex repairs or replacements.
Develop, review and update on asset condition information database across allocated Zone of buildings to ensure that documentation, such as Operation and Maintenance information and drawings, is accurate and up to date.
Manage, maintain and control access to allocated plant room locations, switch rooms and equipment in a safe condition and follow prescribed risk assessments and method statements.
Coordinate contractors and other maintenance staff access and maintenance activities locally within Zones and buildings; Communicate, agree, and approve local isolations and issue permits to work on relevant systems. Escalate major isolations or shutdowns where appropriate.
Ensure Building Management System (BMS) and Lighting control systems are monitored and responded to. Liaise with Energy Manager to ensure optimal set points and identify where potential savings can be achieved.
Isolate and reinstate fire detection and warning systems under approved permit arrangements. Escalate major isolations or shutdowns to Supervisors and/or Fire Engineer.
Proactively support project managers, consultants, contractors, and other relevant stakeholders in ensuring Soft landings of projects; assist with surveys, attend regular project briefings, training and handover sessions. Review Operation and Maintenance information for quality, accuracy, and completeness. Make constructive comments on future plans and suggest alternatives as appropriate.
Other
The role will involve the ability to work flexibly and participation in stand by and call out arrangements.
The role will involve carrying out the duties of a Deputy Fire Officer.
Keep up to date with industry developments and trends and make constructive use of these for UoG.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge /Qualifications
Essential:
A1 Broad vocational experience, acquired through a combination of job-related vocational training and considerable on-the-job experience, demonstrating development through involvement in a series of progressively more demanding relevant work/roles and experience of personal development in a similar role. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 (Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Diploma) in Electrical, Mechanical or Building Services Engineering, or equivalent professional standard acquired through demonstrable vocational experience, including relevant engineering apprenticeship.
A2 Strong knowledge of legislative requirements for Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing installations within a complex commercial or similar environment.
A3 18th Edition IET Regulations.
A4 Understand the theory and practical operation of the refrigeration cycle behind chilled water and HVAC systems.
A5 Understand the theory and practical operation of heating and hot water systems.
A6 Clear understanding of the pre-determined standards and regulations for the conduct and output of the role and/or team.
A7 A full current and clean UK Driving Licence.
A8 Knowledge of Fire, Security and Building Management Control systems.
A9 Asbestos awareness.
Desirable:
B1 Working towards degree level in Building Services Engineering.
B2 Control of Legionellosis certificate.
B3 Construction Skills Certification Scheme accreditation.
B4 IOSH Managing Safely.
B5 Knowledge of SFG20 specifications.
Skills
Essential:
C1 Demonstrable ability to safely isolate electrical plant and prove dead. The ability to operate lock out tag out procedures on electrical and mechanical systems.
C2 Strong problem-solving capabilities, interrogating complex faults within large commercial mechanical, electrical and plumbing installations independently and/or through a support team.
C3 Good planning skills to allow the efficient and safe planning of all works.
C4 Customer focused with a proactive approach to working effectively and collaboratively at all times.
C5 Proactively exercises initiative and judgement to ensure effective service delivery independently and/or through a support team.
C6 Ability to work on own initiative and/or as part of a team.
C7 Work safely at all times, communicate effectively across the team and update and report on Statutory Health & Safety requirements/regulations.
C8 Strong communication skills with ability to write technical reports and or communicate verbally with supervisor, manager, helpdesk, zonal Facilities team and building occupiers.
C9 High level of IT competency and ability to use electronic handheld devices.
C10 Ability to operate within a variety of different workspaces including work at height.
C11 Proven interpersonal skills to motivate, coach and develop staff to maximise their contribution and further develop their skills and the ability to form collaborative working relationships.
C12 Good record keeping skills for building system records and drawings.
Desirable:
D1 Ability to interrogate and isolate fire and security control panels.
D2 Ability to service air conditioning and heat pump systems.
Experience
Essential:
E1 Experience of leading or supervising a multi skilled team.
E2 Relevant experience of operating and maintaining complex mechanical and electrical systems in a large estate.
E3 Experience of operating BMS systems.
E4 Experience of working with all types of Chillers, Air Conditioning plant i.e., Spilt systems, VRV and VRF systems, Chilled Water systems, AHU’s and ventilation systems.
E5 Experience of working on heating and hot water plant.
E6 Experience of fault finding and interrogation of Building Services systems.
E7 Experience of fault finding on complex MEP systems.
E8 Experience of contributing to short-term projects within work area or as part of a larger project team.
Desirable:
F1 Experience of using CAFM systems to schedule maintenance tasks, update and upload reports on planned maintenance activities.
F2 Experience of using Trend and Distech BMS systems.
F3 Experience of the operation of a District Heating Scheme including CHP engine.
F4 Practical experience of electrical installation work and the understanding of the standards required for a compliant installation.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum.
This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and fixed term to cover secondment leave for up to 12 months or until the substantive postholder returns.
Please Note: The University would consider a secondment opportunity for this post. Applicants should seek clearance for release for secondment from their line manager before making a formal application.
Closing date: 25 May 2026
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.