Facilities & Compliance Officer Ref: 57-24

Salary: £24,916 to £30,873 per annum (Grade 9)
Hours: Full time 37 hours per week
Place of Work: Dereham / across Breckland
Basis: 12 month contract

Would you like a job where what you do:

• Makes a difference to customers and businesses across the Breckland district
• Allows you to play a key role in helping us maintain the Council's assets

We are seeking a Facilities and Compliance Officer to oversee our Property facilities and compliance functions ensuring the effective delivery of those services across multiple office locations within the Breckland area.

The Property Team manage the Council's assets which includes our Headquarters property and some serviced office accommodation in the District.  We ensure these operational and commercial assets are fit for purpose and serving our customers and businesses in the most effective way. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a delivery-focused place and with a high performing team.

About you:

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Facilities and Compliance Officer who is as passionate about our property as we are and keen to ensure the Council's Headquarters property, Conference Centre and serviced offices are compliant and maintained to a high standard for all users.

You will be keen to use your skills to sustain a high performing service whilst working collaboratively with immediate colleagues and the wider Property Team.

You will be a good communicator and have excellent organisational skills, with proven experience of working within a Facilities and Compliance environment , understanding and managing Health and Safety across a property portfolio.

Committed to 'getting things done', you will be self-motivated, a problem solver and able to work creatively and collaboratively to deliver results and constantly prioritise workstreams.

As a confident communicator, you will be comfortable leading on your workload and working with the team, contractors, and a diverse range of stakeholders, to achieve the best outcomes.

Collaborative - I look for ways to work in partnership and listen supportively to the ideas of others, building on their ideas, while sharing my views and knowledge. 
I recognise the skills, talent and experience of others and reach out to them for their contribution and input.

Ambitious - I always ask myself 'How could we do this better?', taking ownership of change and helping others to understand, adapt, implement, and embed it.
I have an open mindset, take risks and explore new ways of doing things. 

Results-driven - I review my own performance and ask for feedback to learn and improve. I make sure I am clear on what I need to achieve, keeping a focus on results and solutions.
I am driven, showing courage and resilience even when things don't go to plan. 

Empowering - I show energy and drive to explore new opportunities and challenge the status quo - acting on opportunities to generate income or reduce costs, embracing new technology and promoting digitalisation.
I ask for help and support when needed, and take responsibility if things don't go well, learning from it for my own and for the organisation's development.

Supportive - I treat others as I would want to be treated myself, ensuring that I am welcoming, friendly and approachable. I give time to colleagues who need help or support.
I understand and take care of my own wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of those around me.

OK, I'm interested...but is it really the job for me?

As our Facilities and Compliance Officer, you will:

1. Undertake maintenance, minor repairs and general upkeep of the Council's assets.
2. Assign tasks and schedules to contractors and monitor their performance.
3. Ensure that quality and standards are met at all times.
4. Handle customer / tenant complaints and queries in a professional and timely manner.
5. Maintain an issues log where performance is below standard and collate evidence to manage contractor performance.
6. Be responsible for safe working practices, health and safety and compliance and maintain accurate records.
7. Be organised, a good communicator and customer focused.
8. Replenish stocks of equipment and supplies.
9. Escalate any issues or problems to the Maintenance and Projects Surveyor.

If you would like an informal chat regarding this role please contact Phil Barker, Maintenance and Projects Surveyor, by emailing phil.barker@breckland.gov.uk

Closing Date: 9am, Thursday 16 January 2025
Interview Date: 21 January 2025

What's it like to work for us?

We are passionate about our people and pride ourselves on being a great place to work, we genuinely care and know that a happy workforce is a productive and motivated one! If you're still not sure, here are some stats from our 2024 staff survey to convince you..

• 94% said they feel trusted and empowered
• 90% of staff recommend Breckland as a great place to work
• 89% said they have had opportunities to learn and grow in the last 12 months
• 94% think Breckland provide positive action on health and wellbeing
• 91% said they felt supported by their manager

If you STILL need convincing, here's what some of our staff say...

• "Breckland is a fantastic employer, lots of opportunities and support"
• "Having only just started, it is a great place to work, everyone says hello, is smiley and chatty. I like the groups that are on, like carers shed and neurodiversity"
• "We are encouraged to take regular breaks and there are mental health first aiders and a wide range of good promotional aspects of healthy living and wellbeing."
• "In times of need the council offers excellent support."
• "BDC really does seem to care about the wellbeing and happiness of their staff."

At Breckland Council we have embraced the Government's agenda to modernise local government. Our approach is to lead change rather than follow it, and to add the best value we can to our communities. We achieve this by developing our employees to their full potential, providing them with the relevant knowledge, equipment, and authority to carry out their duties.

We are a dynamic and innovative organisation that is always testing and learning as we seek to continually improve. We have never stood still in response to the emergence of new opportunities, changing customer demands, and ongoing funding challenges. We have exciting plans for how to deliver the best possible services to our residents and businesses.

Breckland as a district is a special place nestled in the heart of rural Norfolk, spanning over 500 square miles of beautiful countryside and forest, with five Market Towns and over 140,000 residents. We care, we listen, and we support people and businesses within our district. We have big ideas and we are innovative in our approach, coming up with ways to meet the needs of the local communities that we serve. Through our actions, we want to make things better.

But we know that we can't do it alone. We are a collaborative organisation and we work together with others to make a greater impact. We are also an organisation where our employees can grow and develop and are empowered to achieve and succeed. We are proud of our area, and by driving investment and enabling opportunities, we can maximise its full potential. We want to inspire aspiration to live, work, visit, or do business here: we want our district to be one of choice.

We will support and enable growth and change in our thriving, welcoming places where people and businesses choose to be, knowing their ambitions can be not just fulfilled but exceeded. By listening to people, by understanding what they need and by working together, we can shape what we have to offer. By doing so, we can benefit those who are already here and those who choose to come to live, work, visit, or do business.

We offer excellent conditions of service, including:

• A local government pension scheme (14 per cent employer contribution).
• Attractive holiday package (25 days increasing after three years' continuous Local Authority service by one day per year up to the maximum of 28 days, plus bank holidays)
• Free car parking.
• Remote-enabled working arrangements.
• A newly refurbished office. See what it is like working here by watching this short film: 
  

Our commitment to talent development, on the job learning and upskilling, training and professional memberships, will keep your knowledge and skills up to date.

Job summary

Description of duties

• Provide operational management of the Council's property - particularly the commercial property portfolio where the Council has an occupational landlord responsibility.
• Supervise contractors attending the Council's property and ensure they have the necessary authority and are health and safety compliant and ensure works are completed and to a quality standard.
• Undertake maintenance, minor repairs and general upkeep of both the internal and external areas of the Council's property including the commercial property portfolio.
• Daily inspections of properties to ensure all equipment and services work and is fit for purpose. Further inspections for specific reasons such insurance policy purposes, grounds maintenance, Health and Safety and Compliance or any other purpose as directed.
• Report any damage / faults regarding the Council's property assets and maintain safe conditions and safe working practices within all the Council's operational property or where the Council has landlord responsibilities.
• Undertake all health and safety and compliance checks i.e. legionella, emergency light testing, PAT testing as directed and maintain accurate and up to date records.
• Support the provision of fire signage and equipment and undertake weekly fire alarm tests for each building are conducted. Ensure fire safety inspections and risk assessment and evacuation procedures are maintained.
• Support the provision of security for all the Council's properties which are either occupied or where the Council has a landlord responsibility
• Support the management of corporate storage both on site and off site including the deed store and support the disposal of equipment.
• Provide support to meetings / events i.e. setting up equipment within the Breckland Conference Centre or any other meeting spaces within the Breckland portfolio.
• Replenish stocks of equipment and supplies to facilities within the property assets i.e. kitchens, toilets and printers.
• Respond to emergencies or urgent issues as they arise.
• Carry out inspections, viewings and any other on-site requirements as directed by the line manager.
• A flexible approach to working hours will be essential to successfully manage the demands of the role and the postholder may be required to be on an out of hours call- out rota.
• Ensure compliance to all policies, procedures, standard operating practices, with recommendations for action and continuous improvement.

This job description is not exhaustive.

The job description outlines the current position and will be subject to review in the light of development within the service. This will be in consultation with the post holder, as detailed in your Contract of Employment.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• An appropriate number of years' experience or working in the property and construction sector in a similar role.
• Knowledge and experience of building compliance and relevant processes.
• Wide knowledge and understanding of current construction Health and Safety legislation and regulations.
• Experience of carrying out light maintenance, repairs and grounds maintenance duties.
• Knowledge of building and site security.
• Hold a valid Legionella Responsible Person and Duty Holder Certification
• Hold a valid Steps and Ladder User Certification
• Knowledge of Fire Safety, Fire Extinguishers

Desirable

• Local authority and/or public sector experience.
• Knowledge of local construction and professional service suppliers.
• Knowledge of Breckland Council assets.
• Knowledge of local government structure processes and environments.
• A geographical understanding of the Breckland district.
• Trained in PAT Testing.
• Steps and Ladders Inspector Trained
• Fire Extinguisher User Trained
• Asbestos Awareness Trained

Qualifications

Essential

• A satisfactory standard of education attaining at least GCSE English and Maths.
• Full UK Driving License

Desirable

• Health & Safety qualification
• IOSH or NEBOSH qualification ​​​​​​​

Essential Behaviours

Collaborative:

• I listen supportively to the ideas of others, building on their ideas, while sharing my views and knowledge
• I recognise the skills, talent and experience of others and reach out to them for their contribution and input

Ambitious:

• I always ask myself 'How could we do this better?'
• I am a proud ambassador for the Council, taking pride and responsibility for the work we do and encouraging others to do the same

Results Driven:

• I make sure I am clear on what I need to achieve, keeping a focus on results and solutions
• I am flexible ensuing I provide the best possible service, wherever and whenever possible for the customer

Empowering:

• I embrace new technology and look for new ways for our services to become digital not forgetting to be accessible for all
• I take responsibility if things don't go well and learn from it for my own and for the organisation's development

Supportive:

• I treat others as I would want to be treated myself, ensuring I am welcoming, friendly and approachable
• I treat everyone with kindness, dignity and respect, valuing their thoughts, background and experience

If you would like an informal chat regarding this role please contact Phil Barker, Maintenance and Projects Surveyor, by emailing phil.barker@breckland.gov.uk

Closing Date: 9am Thursday 16 January 2025
Interview Date: 21 January 2025

APPLY ONLINE

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to being an Equal Opportunities employer, recognising the benefits of sustaining a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We welcome applications from anyone who feels they meet the requirements of our vacancies. These are listed as essential requirements on the person specification.