Location: Belfast
Hours: Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)

About the Role:

MPA Recruitment is currently seeking an experienced Estates Officer – Mechanical (Band 6) on behalf of our client, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Health and Social Care Trust (NIAS), based at NIAS Headquarters.

This is an excellent opportunity for a suitably qualified estates or facilities management professional to take a key role in the delivery of mechanical engineering maintenance services across the NIAS estate.

The successful candidate will oversee planned and reactive maintenance, manage external contractors, monitor statutory compliance and support the delivery of estates and capital projects. You will help ensure that mechanical engineering systems operate safely and efficiently, meeting relevant regulatory requirements and Trust policies.

Working closely with the Head of Estates Strategy & Projects, you will contribute to the effective management and development of the NIAS estate, supporting operational services through high-quality maintenance, contract management and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Mechanical Maintenance and Technical Oversight

• Lead the delivery of planned, reactive and cyclical maintenance for mechanical systems across the NIAS estate, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), Building Management Systems (BMS) and pressure systems.
• Act as Authorised Person (AP) for mechanical systems.
• Coordinate and oversee mechanical maintenance teams, ensuring workloads are planned effectively and performance targets are achieved.
• Support the investigation and resolution of mechanical system failures, including fault diagnosis, incident response and remedial actions.
• Use Computer-Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) systems to manage maintenance tasks, monitor completion and support forward planning.
• Provide technical advice and guidance during equipment failures and service interruptions.

Contractor and Contract Management

• Supervise external contractors, ensuring compliance with permit-to-work procedures, risk assessments and method statements (RAMS).
• Monitor contractor performance, service quality and compliance with contractual requirements.
• Ensure contractors meet relevant health and safety, insurance and certification requirements.
• Support procurement activities, including contract renewals, extensions and tendering processes.
• Work with Procurement, Finance and Legal teams to ensure contracts and service agreements comply with Trust policies and statutory obligations.
• Monitor value for money and contribute to effective financial and contract management.

Compliance, Health and Safety

• Ensure mechanical engineering systems and maintenance activities comply with relevant statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Support compliance with Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs), including ventilation and water safety guidance, and applicable pressure systems regulations.
• Apply relevant health and safety legislation, including COSHH and PUWER requirements.
• Conduct and review risk assessments relating to mechanical systems, maintenance activities and contractor operations.
• Maintain accurate documentation to support audits, inspections, assurance reviews and statutory reporting.
• Follow up on audit findings and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Support the development and implementation of safe systems of work, policies and procedures.

Projects and Capital Works

• Contribute to the design, procurement, commissioning and handover of estates and capital projects.
• Support the delivery of major and minor works within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Conduct surveys and develop work packages for refurbishment projects, mechanical and electrical upgrades and compliance works.
• Prepare or contribute to technical reports, specifications, business cases, tenders and quotations.
• Liaise with contractors, consultants and project leads to ensure projects are delivered to the required standard.

Estates Strategy, Reporting and Sustainability

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Trust's Estates Strategy.
• Promote energy efficiency and support sustainability initiatives.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs), project milestones and service performance.
• Assist with the management of capital and revenue budgets, maintaining financial control and value for money.
• Conduct scheduled and ad hoc audits using the Trust's online systems and compliance tools.
• Record, report and follow up on audit findings to support governance and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with Estates colleagues, station officers, area managers, clinical teams and operational staff.
• Liaise with external stakeholders and relevant agencies, including the Department of Health, Health Estates, BSO PaLS and Building Control.
• Represent the Facilities Manager at meetings, forums and emergency planning discussions when required.
• Communicate effectively during planned service interruptions and emergency situations.
• Promote a professional, customer-focused approach across the Estates function.

What We’re Looking for?

Essential Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate:

• A HNC-level qualification in a relevant subject, such as Energy and Building Services Engineering, Facilities Management, Surveying or Construction in the Built Environment.
• At least five years' relevant experience within the construction industry or a facilities/estates management role.
• Demonstrable experience managing and delivering effective solutions in at least two of the following areas:
• Building, Surveying and Maintenance.
• Mechanical Engineering Services.
• Electrical Engineering Services.
• Experience successfully managing estates or facilities contracts.
• Excellent planning, communication and organisational skills.
• The ability to work under pressure, manage multiple deadlines and prioritise competing workloads.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing and customer service skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Competence in AutoCAD, databases, Microsoft Office and safety systems.
• The ability to work independently, use initiative and adapt to changing priorities.
• A current full UK driving licence and access to a car on appointment, subject to the Trust's stated provisions for applicants whose disability prevents them from driving.

Applicants must also demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team, produce accurate work to strict deadlines, work flexibly and commit to ongoing professional development.

Knowledge Requirements

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• An understanding of the operational demands of healthcare and ambulance facilities.
• A strong working knowledge of safe systems of work, risk assessments and permit-to-work procedures.
• Awareness of current energy efficiency and carbon reduction strategies relevant to estates management.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working within the health sector, local government or the wider public sector.
• Experience using CAD architectural drawing software.
• Experience using Computer-Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) software.
• A relevant health and safety qualification, such as the NEBOSH Certificate.

Additional Information:

• An Enhanced Access NI Check may be required for this role.

What we can offer you:

At MPA Recruitment, we’re committed to supporting you throughout your placement. We can offer:

• Full training and competency assessment before you work unsupervised.
• The opportunity to gain valuable experience within a specialist healthcare service.
• Dedicated support from your MPA Recruitment Consultant.
• Weekly pay.
• Holiday pay.
• The opportunity to strengthen your CV with experience within the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Health and Social Care Trust (NIAS),
• Support throughout the registration, compliance and onboarding process.
• Ongoing role availability — if one placement ends, we aim to secure another.

Why Apply?

• Take on a key estates engineering role within the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
• Apply your technical expertise to support essential ambulance services across Northern Ireland.
• Develop your experience in mechanical maintenance, statutory compliance and contractor management.
• Contribute to estates projects, energy efficiency initiatives and service improvements.
• Work collaboratively with technical specialists and operational teams in a vital public sector organisation.

MPA Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer.