Fencer - Housing Repairs & Property Services

We are looking for a skilled and motivated Fencer to join our Housing Repairs & Property Services team based at 19 Bennet Road, Reading. In this hands-on role, you will carry out the installation, repair and maintenance of fencing, gates and boundary structures across our housing stock, helping to keep residents safe and properties well maintained.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About The Role:
Working within our responsive repairs service, you will deliver a high-quality service to tenants while ensuring all work is completed safely, efficiently and to a professional standard.

Working across our council housing stock, you’ll be responsible for installing ‘including but not limited to’, repairing and replacing fencing, gates, boundary structures and associated external works.

You’ll work with a range of materials and systems, including close board, panel, chain-link, palisade, steel mesh, picket and bespoke timber, metal and concrete fencing.

Duties will include:

• Install and repair fencing, gates and posts to approved standards.
• Replace damaged fencing in occupied and void properties.
• Prepare work areas, including safe excavation of post holes and use of concrete.
• Work from specifications and site drawings and follow RAMS.
• Identify and report defects, hazards and additional repair requirements.
• Keep work areas clean, safe and secure when jobs are complete.
• Accurately record completed work using handheld devices, including photographs and reports.
• Work alongside other trades and teams to meet service targets.
• Carry out minor maintenance, damp and mould treatments and other duties when required.
• Provide a professional, respectful service to residents when working in and around their homes.
• Respond to safeguarding, property damage or tenancy concerns in accordance with Council procedures.

About You:
You’ll have proven experience in fencing, grounds maintenance, construction, housing repairs or a similar maintenance environment, together with strong practical skills and an understanding of different fencing systems.

You’ll need:

• Experience of fencing installation, repairs and associated maintenance.
• Knowledge of safe digging and ground preparation.
• Experience using hand and power tools safely.
• The ability to work independently and manage your own workload.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience working in occupied properties and communicating professionally with residents.
• Basic IT skills for completing job records on handheld devices.
• Basic literacy and numeracy.
• A full UK driving licence.
• An awareness of manual handling and health and safety requirements.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Bennet Road, Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact Richard Anderson, Trades Supervisor at Richard.Anderson@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Tuesday 13th October 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Setup: In person at 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX