Property & Farm Maintenance Operative

If you’re the kind of person people call when something breaks, leaks, sticks, or just needs doing — this might be your ideal role. 

We’re looking for a skilled and practical Property & Farm Maintenance Operative to join the team at Rotherfield, a beautiful working estate with a mix of residential, agricultural, and operational buildings. You’ll be the first point of call for building and farm maintenance across the estate, trusted to spot problems early and respond quickly when things go wrong. 

No two days are the same, and that’s exactly the point.  

Responsibilities include but not limited to 

• Carrying out a wide range of planned and reactive maintenance tasks, including:  

• General building works  

• Plumbing and drainage (including reactive and emergency plumbing)  

• Joinery, tiling, painting and decorating  

• Paving, external works and minor groundworks  

• Completing planned preventative maintenance in line with set programmes  

• Providing general facilities support, such as furniture assembly and removals, site and grounds clearance, and keeping work areas safe and tidy  

• Working independently or as part of a team to deliver repairs efficiently and to agreed KPI/SLA timescales  

• Managing and prioritising your own workload, using IT systems to record work completed and associated costs  

• Communicating clearly and professionally with building occupiers to minimise disruption  

Safety, vehicles & equipment 

• Carrying out regular safety checks on work vehicles, maintaining records, and keeping vehicles clean, secure, and roadworthy  

• Ensuring tools, machinery, and equipment are properly maintained, stored, and used safely  

• Following health and safety policies, identifying hazards, and completing point-of-work risk assessments  

Developing others 

• In time, you’ll take responsibility for an apprentice, sharing your skills and experience with an up-and-coming Maintenance Operative  

• There may also be opportunities to work with young people in our Alternative Provision, teaching basic maintenance and practical life skills 

Requirements

• Experienced (5+ years) in plumbing and general building maintenance  

• Practical, proactive, and comfortable acting on your own initiative  

• Ability to communicate effectively and kindly with others/customers 

• Organised, reliable, and calm under pressure — especially in emergency situations  

• Happy to turn your hand to whatever the day requires (indoors and outdoors) 

• Willing to support and mentor others as the role develops 
• Open to transitioning to on-site accommodation within 1-2 years if required by the role

Why Rotherfield?

• Work on a stunning, varied estate where your skills genuinely matter
• A role with trust, responsibility, and long-term potential
• The chance to pass on knowledge and make a positive impact beyond the tools

If you take pride in practical work, enjoy variety, and want a role that’s about more than ticking boxes, we’d love to hear from you.

Benefits

• Generous employer pension contributions

• Employee Assistance Program (confidential counselling service)
• Annual health checks
• Designated woodland access for team use
• Discounted accommodation available on beautiful estate in South Downs
• Great team!

For a position description please contact the Estate Office on 01420 588207.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 5PM FRIDAY 13TH MARCH 2026