General Maintenance Employee (GME) - Fixed term contract

We’re a values-driven, charitable organisation on a mission to make a real difference in Sunderland. Every day, we provide more than 60,000 people with a place they’re proud to call home.

Our vision is clear: everyone deserves a good-quality home they can afford. We invest millions of pounds each year to keep our homes safe and decent, while also playing a part in tackling the UK housing crisis by building hundreds of modern, energy-efficient homes for rent right here in Sunderland.

If you share our passion for creating thriving communities and want to be part of something that truly matters, we’d love for you to join us and help achieve our vision.

If you have any accessibility needs or require adjustments, please let us know—we’re here to support you.

We may close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a large number of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.

£26,747.00

Are you an experienced General Maintenance Operative ready to put your skills to work preparing homes for new customers?

Join our Empty Homes team and work alongside our skilled trade colleagues who take pride in carrying out repairs and improvements to prepare homes for new customers. We have immediate fixed-term opportunities available, starting in November 2026 and running until March 2027, potentially extended up to 12 months in total.

As a General Maintenance Employee (GME) at Gentoo, you’ll work alongside trade colleagues, carrying out general construction and maintenance labouring duties that support our responsive repairs and maintenance service across Sunderland.

You’ll use your strong communication skills to work closely with customers, colleagues and wider teams, helping to give every customer a positive experience. If you take pride in your work and enjoy delivering great service, we’d love to hear from you.

Enjoy a 36-hour working week, Monday to Friday, with an early finish on Fridays and a great work-life balance. We’re proud to be certified as a “Great Place to Work” and recognised as one of the UK’s Top 50 Best Workplaces™ 2026. We ask for some flexibility, including occasional overtime when needed.

A full UK driving licence and a basic DBS check (arranged and funded by Gentoo) are required for this position

What you will be doing:

Carry out general construction and maintenance labouring duties, including working at height and in confined spaces.

Support trade colleagues with repairs such as gutter clearing, pointing, and window mastic replacement.

Remove furniture, waste, and debris from homes, sites, and communal areas.

Undertake damp and mould treatments, including mould wash‑downs and warmer wall applications.

Install loft insulation (replacements and top‑ups).

Deliver excellent customer service through clear, respectful communication.

Respond to property damage, including spillages and flood‑related debris.

Drive, collect, and deliver materials to support team operations.

What you will bring:

A full UK driving licence.

Experience or transferable skills relevant to construction, maintenance, or labouring work.

A flexible, reliable approach to meeting service demands.

Ability to work at height and outdoors in varying conditions.

Confidence using handheld IT systems.

Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, relevant Health & Safety requirements.

A positive attitude towards learning and developing new skills.

Some of our great benefits include:

• 31 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with an option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year.

• Early finish on Fridays

• Flexible and hybrid working.

• Free Health Cash Plan, with cashback for dental, optical, physio, wellbeing therapies and more, with some free child cover.

• Access to private healthcare through the Health Cash Plan.

• Competitive Aviva pension scheme - Gentoo will contribute up to 10% based on your personal contribution.

• Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme

• Enhanced family-friendly leave

• Car mileage allowance if you use your personal vehicle for business purposes.

• Life assurance cover to the value of 3 times your annual salary

Working for Gentoo

We are one of the largest employers in Sunderland and a leading provider of social housing in the North East. We are officially a Great Place to Work and employ more than 1,100 people in more than 200 different job roles.

We are proud of every colleague who helps make a difference in our communities and our customers’ lives

Our Values, made by colleagues for colleagues.

We care about people.

We take accountability.

We shape the future.

We bring leadership.

We deliver.

If you have any accessibility needs or require adjustments, please let us know—we’re here to support you.