General Operative

Annual salary: up to £29,488.20

General Operative

Exeter

Full Time Permanent 42.5 hours per week

Salary up to £29,488.20 + company van and fuel card

We are the largest provider of repairs and maintenance, and regeneration services across the UK. Mears provide tailored rapid-response and planned maintenance services through partnering arrangements with more than 70 local authorities, Arm’s Length Management Organisations and Housing Associations.

About the Role:

As a General Operative, you will be working alongside Exeter City Council on a stable and well-established contract, delivering excellent service and support through our local teams, who understand the importance of working together for the local community.

Based within our Exeter branch, you will be working within residents’ homes, carrying out damp and mould related repairs and remedial works across our housing portfolio. This will involve working from job to job on a planned route, identifying issues, preparing surfaces, and supporting or undertaking treatments and repairs to ensure properties are safe, compliant, and fit for purpose.

You will be part of a local team delivering high-quality property maintenance and refurbishment activities, with a particular focus on damp, mould and associated repairs. You will be expected to deliver a ‘right first time’ service, ensuring excellent customer care while meeting all safety, quality, and cost control standards.

Duties:

• Carry out damp and mould inspections within occupied and void properties, identifying root causes and appropriate remedial actions
• Undertake damp and mould treatments, including cleaning, mould removal, application of anti-mould solutions and preventative measures
• Prepare and repair affected surfaces, including basic plastering, patch repairs, and redecoration where required
• Complete associated repairs linked to damp issues, such as sealing, minor carpentry, and ventilation improvements
• Work from a planned schedule, travelling from job to job to meet service delivery targets
• Ensure all work is completed to a high standard, achieving a ‘right first time’ approach
• Maintain strong communication with residents, providing clear advice on prevention and aftercare in a respectful and professional manner
• Identify and report any wider property or safeguarding concerns while on site
• Follow all health and safety procedures, including safe use of equipment, materials, and PPE
• Accurately complete job records and update systems in line with company and client requirements
• Work collaboratively with other trades and teams to deliver a seamless repairs service
• Ensure compliance with all relevant policies, quality standards, and cost control measures

Role Criteria:

• Previous experience in a repairs, maintenance or damp and mould-related role
• Full UK driving licence
• Good customer service skills, with a professional approach when working in residents’ homes
• Ability to use a PDA or willingness to learn
• Ability to carry out manual handling, lifting, bending, repetitive tasks
• Sound awareness of health and safety practices, particularly when working with damp, mould treatments and associated materials
• Basic understanding of damp and mould issues, including causes and effective remedial actions
• Ability to work independently and manage a varied workload across multiple properties

Benefits we can offer you:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Annual Mears Fun Day - Our annual Fun Day is organised as a massive thank you from the Executive team for all the hard work!
• Volunteering Leave - Mears supports employees to undertake paid volunteering in the community, in support of our social value commitment.
• Staff perks with Mears Rewards - discounts of up to 10% weekly groceries, holidays, eye test vouchers, Share save scheme, plus much more
• Family friendly policies
• Full Uniform.

All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK, Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship.

To drive a Mears vehicle, you must be aged over 21 have held your licence over 3 months and have less than 9 points.

Candidates should be aware that all our roles are subject to relevant Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment

Apply below or to discuss your application further; contact:

Francesca Swan (francesca.swan@mearsgroup.co.uk)

If you need any help with your application process, we are here to support you. We will be accessible every step of the way.

At Mears Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, we are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all.

We proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant and are honoured to have achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) to coincide with this, we hold an Endorser Award for the Career Transition Partnership, recognising our commitment to veterans transitioning into civilian careers.

In our continued effort to promote social mobility, we invite applicants to voluntarily share their background information during the application stages to help us better understand the diverse experiences of our candidates. This is to ensure we are committed to improving social mobility. We use the Social Mobility Index to assess and enhance opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. These questions are optional and will not impact your ability to apply.