Technical Operator (Biomass Operation & Maintenance)
| Posting date: | 19 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £32,080 to £37,694 per year, pro rata |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 05 January 2026 |
| Location: | St. Andrews, Fife |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | University of St Andrews |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | MC1222 |
Summary
We are looking to appoint a Part Time Technical Operator (Biomass Operation & Maintenance) to join our multi-disciplinary maintenance team responsible for the operation and maintenance of a wide range of services throughout the University Estate.
You will be part of the team responsible for the delivery of all day to day operational and maintenance activities on our 6.5MW Biomass Plant located at our Eden Campus at Guardbridge, the 26Km of District Heat Pipe Network delivering heat energy to St Andrews to our 41 connected University school and residence building’s plantrooms This is a new part time role that will report directly to the Biomass Team Leader. You will be working to ensure a safe, reliable, and compliant operational process. You will also be responsible for identifying and implementing process improvement initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. As a key member of the Biomass O&M team consisting of 1 Team Leader and two technical operators, you will support the Team Leader delivering all operational KPI’s and support the delivery of the strategic plan.
The role will primarily be based at The Eden Energy Centre at Guardbridge; however, the role will require you to regularly travel into St Andrews to support the operation of the District Heat network and therefore a full driving licence is essential.
Your responsibilities are primarily to support the operational and maintenance activities of the Biomass Operations Team at the Eden Energy Centre and District Heating Network, and it is envisaged that your time will be split between ensuring continuity of supply of heat energy to all buildings connected to the district heat network and ensuring reliability of the EEC and District Heat network.
You should be flexible in your approach to work and have a strong background in engineering. If you are a creative thinker, a problem-solver, and are eager to contribute to the development of clean energy solutions, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. You must have excellent communication skills and a keen and helpful manner. The ability to cope well under pressure, and the ability to demonstrate a flexible approach without supervision is essential. To be able to work effectively both independently and as a team. If you are eager to contribute to the development of clean energy solutions, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Excellent terms and conditions apply. The employee’s working hours will normally be 18 hours per week, working any 5 days of the week (Monday-Sunday) on a five out of seven rota.
Precise days and daily times will be laid down by the Line Manager or his/her appropriate delegate. The Line Manager or his/her appropriate delegate has the right at any time to change the days/hours on which the employee works, to suit the operational needs of the business, subject to provision of reasonable days’ notice.
You will be required to participate in the Estates Emergency Call Out Service.
Further information and informal enquiries may be directed to George Simpson, email: gns1@st-andrews.ac.uk , Tel:07710068928
Employees of the University have access to a wide range of staff benefits including:
• Annual leave of 30 days, plus 5 public holidays pro rata
• Financial contribution to relocation where applicable
• Membership of the S&LAS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions
• A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme
Applications are particularly welcome from, people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in professional posts at the University.
Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience. We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, LGBT Charter, Race Charters and Stonewall). We celebrate diversity by promoting profiles of BAME, LGBTIQ+ staff and supporting networks including the Staff BAME Network; Staff with Disabilities Network; Staff LGBTIQ+ Network; and the Staff Parents & Carers Network. Full details available online: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Information on other visa options is available at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa or by contacting our HR Immigration Team on hrimmigration@st-andrews.ac.uk.
You will be part of the team responsible for the delivery of all day to day operational and maintenance activities on our 6.5MW Biomass Plant located at our Eden Campus at Guardbridge, the 26Km of District Heat Pipe Network delivering heat energy to St Andrews to our 41 connected University school and residence building’s plantrooms This is a new part time role that will report directly to the Biomass Team Leader. You will be working to ensure a safe, reliable, and compliant operational process. You will also be responsible for identifying and implementing process improvement initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. As a key member of the Biomass O&M team consisting of 1 Team Leader and two technical operators, you will support the Team Leader delivering all operational KPI’s and support the delivery of the strategic plan.
The role will primarily be based at The Eden Energy Centre at Guardbridge; however, the role will require you to regularly travel into St Andrews to support the operation of the District Heat network and therefore a full driving licence is essential.
Your responsibilities are primarily to support the operational and maintenance activities of the Biomass Operations Team at the Eden Energy Centre and District Heating Network, and it is envisaged that your time will be split between ensuring continuity of supply of heat energy to all buildings connected to the district heat network and ensuring reliability of the EEC and District Heat network.
You should be flexible in your approach to work and have a strong background in engineering. If you are a creative thinker, a problem-solver, and are eager to contribute to the development of clean energy solutions, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. You must have excellent communication skills and a keen and helpful manner. The ability to cope well under pressure, and the ability to demonstrate a flexible approach without supervision is essential. To be able to work effectively both independently and as a team. If you are eager to contribute to the development of clean energy solutions, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Excellent terms and conditions apply. The employee’s working hours will normally be 18 hours per week, working any 5 days of the week (Monday-Sunday) on a five out of seven rota.
Precise days and daily times will be laid down by the Line Manager or his/her appropriate delegate. The Line Manager or his/her appropriate delegate has the right at any time to change the days/hours on which the employee works, to suit the operational needs of the business, subject to provision of reasonable days’ notice.
You will be required to participate in the Estates Emergency Call Out Service.
Further information and informal enquiries may be directed to George Simpson, email: gns1@st-andrews.ac.uk , Tel:07710068928
Employees of the University have access to a wide range of staff benefits including:
• Annual leave of 30 days, plus 5 public holidays pro rata
• Financial contribution to relocation where applicable
• Membership of the S&LAS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions
• A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme
Applications are particularly welcome from, people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in professional posts at the University.
Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience. We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, LGBT Charter, Race Charters and Stonewall). We celebrate diversity by promoting profiles of BAME, LGBTIQ+ staff and supporting networks including the Staff BAME Network; Staff with Disabilities Network; Staff LGBTIQ+ Network; and the Staff Parents & Carers Network. Full details available online: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Information on other visa options is available at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa or by contacting our HR Immigration Team on hrimmigration@st-andrews.ac.uk.