Multi Skilled Operative | Chicksands

Who we are

VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.

What we do

We put our Customers and Families First. They are the driving force behind everything we do. We drive forward improvements for them to ensure the service they receive, whether reactive repairs or a major project, is completed safely and on time. In order to achieve this, we have 4 core values: open, caring, agile and collaborative. These are at the heart of everything we do.

Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Location: Chicksands Barracks, Carver Barracks, Bassingbourn Barracks, RAF Henlow (site-based, rotating across locations within a 20-mile radius)
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Ready to make a real impact?

VIVO is on an exciting journey. As a joint venture between Serco and ENGIE, we have secured a major 7-year contract delivering essential repairs, maintenance, and infrastructure services across the UK Defence estate.

We are now looking for a Multi-Skilled Operative to join our Direct Delivery team. This is a hands-on, site-based role suited to someone proactive, reliable, and proud of delivering high-quality work across a range of Defence sites.

About The role

You will be based across a group of sites including Chicksands, Carver Barracks, Bassingbourn, and RAF Henlow, working at one site per day within a defined rota and within a 20-mile radius.

You will be provided with a work van and fuel card, and you will know in advance which site you are attending along with your scheduled tasks.

This role involves a combination of planned preventative maintenance (PPM), reactive maintenance, and small works depending on site requirements. You will carry out a wide range of repairs across building services, including minor plumbing, general building tasks, and other maintenance activities. While handyperson skills are suitable for the role, experience in additional trades will be advantageous.

Day-to-day duties include fire alarm testing, weekly water flushing to support health and safety compliance, fitting notice boards, completing minor repairs, and carrying out filling, painting, and decorating tasks. You will also be responsible for maintaining visual standards and ensuring that commercial buildings remain safe, functional, and presentable at all times.

The role requires you to work in a customer-facing environment within commercial and Defence settings, interacting professionally with site users and stakeholders. Strong communication skills are essential as you will regularly engage with personnel on site.

You will be expected to work both independently and as part of a small team, which consists of three operatives overall. The role will involve lone working for the majority of the time, with occasional tasks requiring two-person support

You will use either PDA systems or paper-based processes to accurately record completed work, materials used, and any issues identified during your tasks.

What you’ll Need

You will hold a full UK driving licence and have previous experience in a handyperson or semi-skilled role. You will be comfortable working independently, following both written and verbal instructions, and managing your workload across scheduled daily tasks.

You will have the ability to work in a range of environments and conditions, and demonstrate practical skills using hand tools. A flexible and adaptable approach is important, as is the ability to make decisions on appropriate repair solutions when required.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as the role involves regular interaction with customers and stakeholders within commercial and Defence environments.

This role requires BPSS clearance with eligibility to obtain SC clearance.

This role offers the opportunity to work across multiple Defence sites, gain exposure to a wide range of maintenance activities, and develop your skills further through on-site experience and training. You will be part of a supportive team environment where your contribution plays an important role in maintaining critical infrastructure.

At VIVO, we are committed to delivering high-quality services to our clients while creating a positive and supportive environment for our people. You will be joining a team that values safety, collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

We offer;

• Work van & fuel card
• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• 25 Days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Volunteer leave
• One paid professional subscription
• Life Assurance Policy

VIVO Defence Services

The role you have applied for is with VIVO Defence Services, a joint venture between Serco and EQUANS. By applying for this role, please be aware that information contained within your CV may be shared between VIVO Defence Services, Serco and EQUANS during the recruitment process.

At VIVO, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. Therefore, we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool.

We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working and operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly a Disability Confident Leader. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.