Part time Bike Engineer
Role: Bike Engineer
Part time (average 14 hours/week) flexible hours
Fixed term 6-month contract (possibility of extension)
Freelance option available.
Salary: £24000 per annum pro-rata, depending on experience. Freelance option available.
Location: Bike Workshops
77 Chapel Street Maryhill G20 9BD
AND 76 Fordneuk Street Bridgeton G40 3AH
Role PurposeCommon Wheel is a mental health charity that aims to support people with mental illness by providing meaningful activities.
The role involves supporting adults with mental illness in the rebuilding and maintenance of bicycles, and carrying out sales and repairs of bicycles for the general public.
The post holder is responsible for supporting the bike engineer and volunteers to carry out the day-to-day management of the bike workshop. The main areas of work are a 10 week Build Your Own Bike course for people referred due to poor mental health, care, repair and building of bikes for the general public and managing a volunteer workforce. There are two workshops, one in Maryhill and the other in Bridgeton, you will work in both locations. You will be managed by our senior bike engineer. You will have a full Common Wheel induction and will have access to mental health training including: working with forensic patients, suicide prevention, self-harm and trauma informed practice. You will take part in the bike subcommittee which is made up of staff, volunteers and board members.
About Common WheelCommon Wheel is an established mental health charity, first registered in 2001. We work with small groups of people and engage them in meaningful activities that help them live the best possible life despite mental health challenges. There are four major strands to our work: bicycle building and maintenance, music, art, and indoor climbing.
We aim to reduce isolation, develop new skills, improve mental wellbeing, and challenge stigma. Our values are: care, equality, positivity and partnership.
Mental illness and the associated stigma may lead to loss of employment, poverty, and withdrawal from society. Conversely, unemployment and poverty are likely to exacerbate mental illness. Common Wheel exists to break this cycle.
Common Wheel has a staff team of eight people as well as a team of freelance musicians, artists and coordinators. We also work with volunteers. We are funded by various trusts, grants and donations as well as income generated through our bike sales and repairs at our premises in Maryhill and Bridgeton.
About the Bike Project We want to find someone who can do more than just fix bikes. It’s about passing on your knowledge and passion to improve the lives of people with mental illness.
The bike repair side is more creative than normal shops. We do many custom builds, and seldom sell a bike the way it left the factory.
There’s also paperwork, sitting at a computer and other duties described below.
As with any job there will be training in how we do things. We do expect you to be able to re-cable a ‘90s bike in less than an hour, build wheels, fit mudguards and all the usual bike repair skills.
We are committed to encouraging more women to be involved in all aspects of the cycling industry. We encourage candidates who share this commitment.
Main duties• Assist with initial enquiries from individuals, customers and organizations
• Give hands on practical help when required during the Build Your Own Bike class
• Attend to other duties eg answering the phone, attending to customers, tidying up etc, so the Bike Engineer can deliver the class
• Help with registers, evaluation paperwork as required
• Generate content for social media
• Maintain a clean, tidy and appropriate workshop environment.
• Assisting with procurement of used bicycles and disposal of unsuitable ones. This may involve co-operating with other bicycle recycling organisations.
• Undertake bicycle servicing, repairs and rebuilding for sale to the general public.
• Assist with stripping donated bikes and cleaning and sorting parts
• Support volunteers in the workshop.
• Attend to customers as required
• Prepare images and descriptions of bikes and parts for sale
• Assist with promotion and marketing including online activity
• Facilitate and record sales Participating in personal and team development activities.
• Conform to all relevant Common Wheel Policies and Procedures.
• Take part in mental health training
Person SpecificationWe are looking for someone with experience of fixing and building bikes in a retail environment who has an interest in mental health and the ability to support others to learn new skills. You will be interacting with customers, participants, volunteers, referrers and other members of the Common Wheel team.
Essential• Proficient and experienced in bike building, maintenance and repairs.
• Good IT skills
• Methodical worker with attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Ability to work and relate to staff, customers, participants, volunteers and external contacts in a professional and effective way
• Well organized, able to work under pressure and prioritise own workload
• Understanding of and commitment to Common Wheel's aims and values
Desirable • Experience working in a charity
• Experience working in retail
• An interest in Mental Health
• A relevant qualification
Other information• The role is subject to a PVG check
• Annual leave entitlement is 30 days pro-rata
• Common Wheel is a member of the NEST pension scheme
• References required
How to applyFor more information or for any questions about the role, please contact Alison Sommerville, Project Manager on 0141 211 0688 or email job.app@commonwheel.org.uk
Applications should be by CV and covering letter sent by email to job.app@commonwheel.org.uk
To arrive by midday on 18 JanuaryPlease let us know in your letter why you would like the job and what skills and experience you would bring.
Interviews are expected to be held in person at one of our bike workshops on 26 January
As well as an interview, you will also be required to demonstrate some practical skills
To find out more about us
www.commonwheel.org.uk 
