Maintenance Assistant

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THE ROLE

Part time, Self employed

Hours: 1 day per week / 7hrs per week

Rate of pay: £160 per day (freelance)

Spike Island is seeking an Assistant/Caretaker to support the maintenance and operational needs of our large busy building. Working within the Operations Team, this vital role will provide day to day Operational maintenance, repairs and help manage external contractors.

We are looking for a practical, creative thinking, hands on individual, who enjoys working within a busy team and building.

Responsibilities

• Facilities Maintenance: Performing basic repairs and maintenance tasks as required, including basic plumbing, painting, plastering, carpentry, and other minor repairs.
• Gardening including litter picking and tidiness.
• Contractor Support: Assist in supervising contractors on site e.g. cleaners, ensuring they are working to agreed schedules and standards.
• Building Safety: Ensuring health and safety measures are monitored and adhered to across the building. Including regular water testing checks and other safety tests.
• Record Keeping: Keeping updated records of safety tests, contractor visits and repairs/ maintenance jobs.
• Support the Senior technician with Equipment Maintenance: Ensuring that all maintenance equipment is in good working order and regularly serviced.
• Support Gallery technicians during the de-install and install of exhibitions.
• Replenishment: Leading on ordering of cleaning supplies.
• Out of hours call out responsibilities on a rota basis.

Skills & Experience

• Experience in facilities caretaking or a maintenance role, ideally within an arts building or community centre setting.
• Practical skills in building maintenance, repairs and site upkeep including grounds maintenance.
• Experiences working as a Gallery technician, including the hanging and placement of artworks.
• Desirable: proficiency in one or more trades (e.g., plumbing, carpentry, plastering, etc.)
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Basic IT skills with the use of Word, Excel.
• Willingness to upskill and develop.
• Able to supervise contractors such as cleaners.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, please submit a copy of your CV, and a covering letter explaining why you think you would be suitable for the role.
• Complete the online equal opportunities monitoring after submitting.

AFTER YOU APPLY

Interview dates: 19 and 20 August 2025

Spike Island is a Disability Confident Committed employer. We offer guaranteed interviews to applicants who identify as having a disability, who meet the skills and experience outlined above.

If you have any access needs, please list any requirements or reasonable adjustment requests in the submission form below, and we will work with you to see they are met at the interview stage and in the event of the offer of employment. This includes Access to Work and other reasonable adjustments, for example if you need a BSL interpreter at interview, or if you would need an adapted workstation. If you’re not sure, please get in touch.

ABOUT SPIKE ISLAND

Spike Island is a dynamic arts centre and registered charity that supports, produces and presents contemporary art across an 80,000 square foot former industrial building near Bristol’s harbourside. We run a diverse programme of exhibitions and events; and directly support artists through major new commissions, subsidised studios and development opportunities. We also offer bespoke exhibition services and are home to Emmeline café, workspaces for designers and creative businesses, and UWE Bristol’s Fine Arts programme.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AND ACCESS STATEMENT

Spike Island is a Disability Confident Committed employer, who values equity, diversity and inclusion, and is committed to anti-racism and to addressing inequality in the arts sector. We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent, come from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and/or people of the Global Majority.

Spike Island will work with applicants to ensure their access needs are met during the interview process, and during the course of any employment offered, while also ensuring that these needs will not influence our decision-making. After submitting your application, you will be prompted to complete an online anonymous equal opportunities monitoring questionnaire.

ANY FURTHER QUERIES?

If you have any questions or queries relating to this opportunity or the application process, please get in touch by emailing  recruit@spikeisland.org.uk or calling 0117 929 2266 and asking to speak to the Office & HR Manager.