The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The University of Sheffield has a large and varied portfolio of buildings which require careful management in terms of the water services. The Water Compliance Team works together with other departments to manage these services. The Water Compliance Plumber focuses on ensuring our water systems are safe and compliant with regulations, including installing, maintaining, and repairing plumbing, as well as conducting water hygiene/treatment works 

As a Water Compliance Plumber, you will play a key role in ensuring the safe and compliant operation of water systems across our campus buildings. The ideal candidate will have strong technical knowledge, a keen eye for detail, and a commitment to maintaining high standards of water safety.

Health and Safety is important at the University of Sheffield and this role will involve working in and on a number of complex areas and systems, whilst RAMS are undertaken for all activities, the ability to undertake dynamic risk assessments the area for changes is important to safeguard all.

As a visible uniformed representative of the University of Sheffield a professional, positive, approachable customer focused attitude is essential as interaction with students, staff, visitors, contractors and members of the public will be an important part of this role.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Conduct water hygiene maintenance and testing for facilities (including healthcare) across our portfolio.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, including HTM (Health Technical Memoranda) when necessary.

• Investigation of statutory compliance issues with water quality.

• Removal of dead legs and dead ends from water systems.

• Installation of new unvented systems.

• System upgrades in line with WRAS and G3 regulations.

• Installation of new assets, including water treatment equipment and pipework.

• Upgrades and maintenance of tank systems.

• Disinfection of hot and cold water systems.

• Replacement and installation of booster pumps.

• Installation of isolation valves and pipework.

• Carry out periodic inspections and any necessary remedial works.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• NVQ Level 2 in Plumbing (minimum) - Assessed in application

• Good working understanding of water compliance legislation including WRAS and G3 regulations including good practice and the ability to implement this into the complexity of the University water systems and its processes - Assessed in interview

• Full UK driving license - Assessed in application

• Ability to work collaboratively within EFM and all University service users to ensure water quality is maintained and monitored - Assessed in interview

• IT literate - Assessed in application

• Ability to demonstrate a high standard of customer service to a wide range of customers including internal EFM and the wider University and its building users - Assessed in interview

Desirable criteria

• Experience in legionella compliance plumbing with proven experience in system upgrades, tank systems, and disinfection

• A working knowledge of current Health and Safety legislation relevant to the job role and the ability to apply this knowledge to the day to day work.

Further Information

Grade: 5

Salary: £26,942  - 30,805.00 with potential to progress to £33,482 through sustained outstanding contribution

Work arrangement: Full-time

Line manager: Water Compliance Supervisor

Direct reports: None

Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/efm 

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Simon Brinkley, Water Compliance Manager: on s.w.brinkley@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 9116 

Next steps in the recruitment process

We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact our administration team admin-engmain@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our  Professional Services Shared Skills Framework and Technical Career Route  https://staff.sheffield.ac.uk/staff-development/ps-development/career-routes  

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

• paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

• support for those going through the menopause

• paid time off and support for fertility treatment

• and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record 

A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Closing Date : 25/06/2025 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.