Critical Services Technician

The Critical Services Technician is a pivotal role within the Facilities team at NBIP, responsible for maintaining, repairing, monitoring, and ensuring the safe and efficient operation of critical building infrastructure and essential services. The Critical Services Technician will specialise in the maintenance, servicing and repair of laboratory Assets and infrastructure, Life Safety systems, Horticulture Controlled Environment Rooms (CERs), Data Centres, Energy Centre equipment, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units, Medium Temperature Hot Water systems, and Building Management Systems (BMS).

The post-holder will have expertise in technical fault diagnosis, preventive maintenance and reactive repairs, ensuring all critical equipment and systems perform at optimal levels. They will also play a key role in supporting compliance with statutory regulations, safety standards and operational best practices.

Working closely with the wider Facilities Maintenance Operations Team, the Critical Services Technicians will ensure the availability and reliability of critical systems that support scientific research and operational needs at NBIP. This role requires a proactive and solution-focused approach, contributing to continuous improvement and operational resilience. The Critical Services Technician will be expected to deputise for the Critical Services Supervisor.

Key Relationships

Reports to: Critical Services Supervisor

Internal: Maintenance Operations Manager, Maintenance Operations team, BMS Technician, Maintenance Services Works Coordinator, Helpdesk and Business Systems Supervisor, PPM Works Coordinator, Energy and Environment Manager, and Operational and Laboratory Managers, Compliance Manager

External: Contractors and Service Providers

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Critical Systems Maintenance & Operation (70%)

• Perform planned preventive maintenance, monitoring through the BMS and reactive repairs on a range of critical systems, including:
  • Specialist laboratory equipment, including Autoclaves and Fume cupboards
  • Horticulture Controlled Environment Rooms (CER)
  • Data Centres and Energy Centre equipment, including UPS, Static Switches, Auto Change over
  • Switches and Generators
  • Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units and associated controls
  • Medium Temperature Hot Water systems
  • Building Management Systems (BMS)
  • Life Safety Systems, including fire detection and emergency lighting
  • First line response for CCTV and Access Control System issues
• Conduct regular statutory inspections and performance checks, proactively identifying and addressing potential issues
• Monitor and adjust BMS settings to optimise energy efficiency and system performance
• Respond promptly to system alarms, faults and emergency situations to minimise operational disruptions
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, including service logs, fault reports and compliance documentation

Technical Support & Troubleshooting (30%)

• Provide specialist technical support for diagnosing and resolving faults in critical systems and equipment
• Collaborate with internal teams and external contractors to resolve complex technical issues efficiently
• Utilise diagnostic tools, technical manuals and BMS data to identify root causes and implement effective solutions
• Support the commissioning, integration and operational handover of new equipment and systems

Compliance & Safety Management

• Ensure that all critical systems and equipment are maintained in compliance with relevant health, safety and statutory regulations
• Adhere to safety procedures, risk assessments and permit to work systems
• Support compliance audits and insurance inspections, ensuring adherence to health and safety standards
• Assist in incident investigations, root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actionsMaintain up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, industry standards and best practices

Operational Efficiency & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities for operational improvements, energy efficiency enhancements and cost savings
• Collaborate with the Facilities team to develop and implement best practices for critical systems maintenance and operation
• Support the development and optimisation of maintenance schedules to maximise equipment uptime and reliability
• Participate in training and development programs to enhance technical skills and knowledge

Stakeholder Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, including operational and laboratory managers, EI's business support team, research teams and facilities colleagues, to coordinate maintenance activities and minimise disruptions
• Engage with external contractors, service providers and suppliers to ensure high quality service delivery and compliance with contractual requirements
• Provide clear and accurate technical reports, including system status updates, fault reports and maintenance records
• Attend team meetings, safety briefings and stakeholder engagement sessions as required

Education & Qualifications

• HNC/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in Electrical, Mechanical, Building Services or a related engineering discipline (Essential)
• IOSH qualification in health, safety and statutory regulations (Essential)
• City & Guilds 18th Edition Wiring Regulations or equivalent electrical qualification (Essential)
• Qualification in Building Management or controls (Desirable)

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of Building Management Systems (BMS) and their role in energy efficiency and operational control (Essential)
• Understanding of CHP units, Medium Temperature Hot Water systems and associated mechanical and electrical components (Essential)
• Strong fault finding, diagnostic and problem solving skills (Essential)
• Knowledge of Energy Management and Sustainability practices related to critical systems (Essential)
• Familiarity with Business System systems for maintenance scheduling and reporting (Essential)
• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to interpret technical drawings, manuals and schematics (Essential)
• Knowledge of Siemens Desigo BMS systems, Salto Access Control and CCTV systems (Desirable)
• Able to multi skill in relation to Mechanical and Electrical systems (Desirable)

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral (Essential)
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team (Essential)
• Excellent problem solving and decision making skills, with the ability to respond quickly to critical situations (Essential)
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (Essential)
• High attention to detail and a proactive approach to maintenance and operational tasks (Essential)
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work efficiently under pressure (Essential)
• Able to multi skill in relation to Mechanical and Electrical systems (Essential)

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required (Essential)
• Willingness to participate in an on call rota and respond to out of hours emergencies as required (Essential)
• Full UK driving licence (or ability to travel across NBIP sites as required) (Essential)
• Attention to detail (Essential)Promotes equality and values diversity (Essential)
• Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Partnership, ensuring it is a great place to work (Essential)
• Able to present a positive image of self and the Partnership (Essential)
• Commitment to professional development and staying up to date with industry advancements (Essential)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate (Essential)

Who We Are

The NBI Partnership provides non scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1,100 research staff, students and visiting scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No's 223852 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

Salary

The salary on appointment will be within the range £36,540 to £45,350 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.

Closing Date

The closing date for applications will be 7th April 2026.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the best talent, and welcome all applications.