About us
St John’s Winchester is one of the UK’s oldest charities, a contemporary, living movement that’s over 900 years old. We provide housing, support, and connection to older people in the heart of Winchester. We’re proud of our history, but even more focused on what we offer today and tomorrow. Through residential almshouse community living and a variety of key services, St John's provides a nurturing environment where individuals can lead active, fulfilling, and valued lives in their later years.
Job overview
The Multi Skilled Operative (MSO) plays a vital role as part of the Maintenance Team to ensure St John’s Winchester provides safe, well-maintained, and welcoming spaces for our residents, staff, and visitors. Working across our almshouses, communal areas, office spaces, and investment properties, the role is hands-on and varied, involving both planned and reactive maintenance.
In addition to a broad range of maintenance responsibilities, this postholder will mainly take on plumbing-related tasks across the estate, ensuring systems are safe, functional, and compliant.
With a focus on practical problem-solving, health and safety, and continuous improvement, the MSO works to uphold high standards of care in our built environment. Their contribution is central to maintaining an estate that reflects the charity’s values—where older people feel respected, supported, and at home, and where all our spaces reflect our commitment to quality and responsibility.
At St John’s Winchester, we’re looking for a new team member to help us maintain and care for our historic estate. As Multi-Skilled Operative (MSO) within our Maintenance Team, you’ll combine your technical know-how with a proactive approach to keep our almshouses, communal areas, and offices safe, welcoming, and well looked-after.
This is a varied, practical role in a supportive and values-driven environment. You’ll carry out day-to-day repairs and maintenance across our Winchester properties, ability in plumbing tasks, and able to contribute to wider improvement projects — all while making a real difference to the lives of older people.
Role Purpose
To carry out day-to-day maintenance and repair tasks across all St John’s Winchester properties, helping ensure a safe, well-maintained and welcoming environment for residents, staff, and visitors.
Key Responsibilities
General Maintenance & Repairs
- Carry out a wide range of general maintenance and repair duties across all St John’s Winchester properties.
- Undertake basic repairs and servicing tasks, including plumbing (e.g. unblocking sinks, fixing leaks), carpentry (e.g. adjusting doors, fixing shelves), decorating, minor electrical tasks (e.g. replacing light fittings), and plastering.
- Support water system servicing, including routine flushing, temperature checks, and basic fault reporting.
- Assist team members, including technical leads, in delivering cyclical maintenance and compliance checks.
- Install and remove household fixtures, fittings, and appliances.
- Assist with minor refurbishment and decorating projects.
- Participate in the emergency call-out rota and support out-of-hours maintenance cover as required.
Health, Safety & Compliance
- Identify and report maintenance and health and safety risks proactively.
- Carry out work in accordance with relevant risk assessments and health and safety policies.
- Keep accurate records of maintenance tasks completed, especially those relating to compliance (e.g. fire safety, legionella checks).
- Ensure tools and materials are used and stored safely and appropriately.
Coordination & Procurement
- Liaise with contractors for specialist works or support, ensuring a safe and professional approach is maintained at all times.
- Assist in sourcing quotes and ordering materials as needed.
- Support waste disposal and recycling activities across the estate.
- Maintain a tidy workspace and ensure tools, equipment, and materials are appropriately managed.
Resident & Staff Support
- Respond to maintenance issues raised by residents and staff with courtesy, respect, and efficiency.
- Communicate clearly about expected timescales or next steps for reported faults.
- Work closely with the property and almshouse teams to contribute to a high standard of accommodation and resident wellbeing.
- Occasionally assist with the practical setup for events and activities.
Additional Advantage
Although this is a MSO role, we would particularly welcome applications from individuals who have experience or qualifications in a specialist trade, such as plumbing or electrical work. Skills in these areas may offer the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities and contribute to specialist compliance activities (e.g. legionella prevention or PAT testing).
Safeguarding and Confidentiality
Fully comply with St John’s safeguarding policy for adults at risk.
- Handle all resident and organisational information with the utmost confidentiality.
- Undertake relevant training as required and participate in the Charity’s appraisal scheme.
- Carry out any other reasonable duties within the scope of the role and grade.
If you are a motivated individual with a passion for providing outstanding service, we would love to hear from you!
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for someone who is:
- A qualified MSO (e.g. City and Guilds, NVQ Level 2 or equivalent)
- Experienced in working on a range of Maintenace tasks in residential or commercial properties
- Practical, reliable, and able to work both independently and as part of a team
- Respectful and professional in all interactions, especially with older residents
- Committed to high standards and safe working practices
How to apply
To apply, please submit:
- A full CV, highlighting your relevant experience
Please send your application to [email protected]
If you’d like an informal chat about the role, we’d be happy to talk. Please contact Andy Ross on 01962 854226
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £26,400.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- Sick pay
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:
- Asset management: 1 year (preferred)
- Administrative: 1 year (required)
Language:
- English (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (preferred)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 06/09/2025
Reference ID: Receptionist at St John's Winchester
