Technician (Facilities Operation & Maintenance)

Are you a seasoned professional striving for operational excellence in facilities? If so, this position is ideal for you!

1.     POST CONTEXT

This is a position within the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), an organization of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

CMRE is an established, world-class scientific research and experimentation facility that organizes and conducts scientific research and technology development, centred on the maritime domain, delivering innovative and field tested Science & Technology (S&T) solutions to address defence and security needs of the Alliance. 

The position is within the Infrastructure Branch.

The Infrastructure Branch is responsible for the management of facilities maintenance to include electrical, plumbing, structural repairs and ground maintenance, as well as for maintaining property records and sub-custody accounts and coordinating and processing all stock and property inventories.

2.     PRINCIPAL DUTIES

The Infrastructure Technician (Facilities Operation & Maintenance) ensures the efficient maintenance and operation of CMRE’s infrastructure (including buildings, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems). The role involves project planning, construction supervision, contractor coordination, and compliance with regulations.

The incumbent’s duties are:

• Advice the Infrastructure Branch Head on the planning, design, and execution of construction projects, facility refurbishments, and maintenance activities. 
• Supervise civil engineering projects, from planning to execution, ensuring compliance with technical and regulatory standards. 
• Prepare specifications, statements of work, and requisitions for infrastructure improvements.
• Manage contracts with external contractors for construction and maintenance services, and oversee their execution (including contracts related to facility cleaning and porterage services). 
• Implement and oversee facility modifications, office relocations, and stockroom operations. 
• Maintain building plans, technical documentation, and utility cost control. 
• Supervise the infrastructure crafts persons and ensure high serviceability standards. 
• Assist in budget preparation and resource allocation. 

3.     SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES

a.     Flexibility Clause

The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties as directed.

All other related duties should correspond with the required competencies for the job.

b.     Deployment/Travel

The incumbent may be required to perform their duties onboard Centre or chartered vessels. The incumbent may be required to undertake TDY assignments within and outside NATO boundaries.

4.     ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

a.     Professional/Experience

Experience will be in civil engineering, building, or related field. It should include:

• Civil engineering/architecture design and construction, civil works direction and planning.
• Developing cost estimates and expenses control, in developing projects of structures and plants.
• Planning and organizing work, requiring an in-depth understanding of its strategic direction and ability to integrate the work into broader scope.
• Proven knowledge of CAD and technical software for buildings projects and maintenance, construction management and control.

b.     Education/Professional experience

• Higher vocational training in civil engineering, building, or related field with 6 years post-related experience

Or

• Higher Secondary educational qualification in civil engineering, building, or related field with 8 years post-related experience

c.     Language Requirements

A thorough knowledge of one of the two NATO languages, both written and spoken, is essential and some knowledge of the other is desirable.

English SLP 3333

NOTE:  Most of the work of CMRE is conducted in the English language.

5.     DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Higher Secondary education and completed higher vocational training leading to a formal qualification in engineering, scientific discipline, information technology or related discipline for specific task-related skill.
• 8 years of professional working experience in post(s) related to civil engineering/architecture, of which at least 4 years of working experience in a facilities operation and maintenance setting within governmental agencies/public institutions.
• Experience at supervisory level of responsibility in related field.
• Experience in facilities management planning and related software.
• Italian 2222.

6.     ATTRIBUTES/COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate possess the following competencies / personal attributes:

• Strong communication skills, capable to communicate at all levels.
• Ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, external contractors and suppliers effectively.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, ensuring smooth execution of projects.
• Innovative problem-solving approach with sound judgment in technical decision.
• Adaptability to work in a multicultural environment, maintaining professionalism and discretion.

All CMRE personnel are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO Code of Conduct agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), and thus display the core values of integrity, impartiality, loyalty, accountability, and professionalism.

7.     REMARKS

The duties are performed in an office, laboratory, workshop environment or on-board Centre ships. Slightly undesirable working conditions may apply.

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About Us:

The Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) is part of the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO).  The mission of the STO is to help position both national and NATO science and technology investments as a strategic enabler and technology advantage for the defence and security posture of NATO Allies and partners. The Centre conducts scientific research and technology development and delivers innovative field-tested S&T solutions to address the defence and security needs of the Alliance. CMRE has more than 60 years of experience and has produced a cadre of leaders in ocean science, modelling and simulation, acoustics and other disciplines, as well as producing critical results and understanding that have been built into the operational concepts of NATO and the Nations.

What we offer:

• Salary (Pay Basis): 4,599.62 EUR (Monthly) *
  *Salary value as per 2025. Subject to future adjustments in accordance with North Atlantic Council decisions.
• Grade ABCL grade B5 / NATO grade G12
• A world class research facility located in the sea port of La Spezia, Italy supported by two specialised research vessels. 
• An exciting place in which to work situated at an ideal location, the port of La Spezia, Italy, enabling synergy with regional and global academic institutes and industry.
• Salary and conditions of employment will be in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR), which includes a rewarding salary and a comprehensive system of allowances, supplements and insurances to support families and, in case of expatriated staff, offers an interesting “expatriate” package. 
• A generous annual leave and, (where eligible) home leave.
• The successful candidate will be offered a three years’ definite duration contract which may be renewed for subsequent periods subject to business needs, satisfactory performance and the need to rotate skills and talent within the Organization.
• Applicants who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, which might become vacant in the near future, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

Our recruitment process:

• Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries.
• Applications (including the most relevant publications, the diplomas - stating the highest level of education - and a CV) for this vacancy are to be submitted using the E-recruitment system; 
• Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the CMRE Medical Adviser.

 Additional information:

• CMRE values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. We welcome applications of nationals from all Member States and strongly encourage women to apply.
• Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

For more information on how to apply:

How to apply for posts within NATO

6 tips to apply for posts within NATO

NOTE:

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.