At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team as a Building Surveyor, managing diverse properties and projects.
- Company: Forestry England is the UK's largest landowner, dedicated to sustainable woodland management.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental sustainability while working in beautiful landscapes.
- Qualifications: MRICS/MCIOB qualified or working towards it, with relevant experience in building surveying.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available; perfect for balancing work and life.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 51000 £ per year.
Seeking a Building Surveyor to join Forestry England. Forestry England are seeking a Building Surveyor to join our South of England District Estates Team based in Lyndhurst, New Forest. Forestry England, the country’s largest landowner, manages over 200,000 hectares of diverse landscapes, including conifer and ancient woodlands, agricultural lands, and heathlands.
Our South of England Forest District is part of the wider Forestry Commission - the government department responsible for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woodlands and increasing their value to society and the environment. We manage 46,000 hectares of the public forest estate across Southern England, including the New Forest. Our Estates Team play a crucial role across our organisation. We work collaboratively to deliver a high standard of professional property services, achieving best value for the District, whilst driving forward the financial and environmental sustainability of our assets.
We are now seeking an experienced Building Surveyor to take on a key role within the Estates Team. The role will be based in Lyndhurst, New Forest, with coverage of the entire district, and hybrid working available.
The Role
As the Building Surveyor, you will work within a small team - responsible for maintaining and developing a built estate which includes offices, deer larders and commercial yards housing our operational teams, together with a let portfolio consisting of agricultural holdings, commercial premises and circa 80 cottages. You will personally be responsible for delivering a variety of high-quality building surveying services. This will include planning and monitoring programmes of building works, repairs, maintenance, and capital projects, in addition to managing all compliance and legislation across the entire District estate.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, specify and project manage programmes of work, including planned and reactive maintenance, and capital projects.
- Procure and administer building contracts.
- Monitor and ensure compliance with all statutory regulations and Forestry England Policy.
- Undertake periodic property inspections, including defect surveys, condition surveys and annual building inspections.
- Set and manage annual capital and revenue budgets.
- Improve the financial and environmental sustainability of all property assets.
- Work closely with key stakeholders and provide regular reporting in relation to the condition and performance of the built estate.
What You'll Need
- MRICS / MCIOB qualified (or working towards Chartership).
- Hold a degree in Building Surveying.
- Demonstrable experience within a similar Building Surveying role.
- Experience of managing a variety of building maintenance and capital projects.
- Proficient knowledge in building pathology, defect diagnosis, specification writing and contract administration.
- Strong knowledge of building health & safety and statutory compliance.
- Be an excellent communicator and have strong stakeholder management skills.
What's Included
- £40,000 - £45,000 salary, per annum.
- 25 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays.
- Civil Service Pension Scheme - 27% Employer Contribution.
- Reimbursement of professional membership fees.
- Free Parking.
- Hybrid / Flexible Working.
- Paid Volunteering Days.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Access to free high-street and online discounts and offers.
Hays Property and Surveying are supporting Forestry England with the recruitment for this role on a retained and exclusive basis. For further information, or to have a confidential discussion, please contact our Southampton based Property and Surveying specialist Jamie Poll on 07800755744.
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Building Surveyor - South District
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Forestry England's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to sustainable management of woodlands will help you align your responses during interviews, showcasing how your experience as a Building Surveyor can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the building surveying field, especially those who have experience with public sector projects or environmental sustainability. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your skills in project management, compliance, and stakeholder communication. Tailoring your examples to reflect the responsibilities outlined in the job description will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Research recent projects or initiatives by Forestry England, particularly in the South District. Being knowledgeable about their current challenges and successes will allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Building Surveyor - South District
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in building surveying, particularly any roles that involved managing maintenance and capital projects. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that specifically addresses the key responsibilities and qualifications mentioned in the job description. Share examples of your past work that align with Forestry England's needs, such as compliance management or stakeholder engagement.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Clearly state your MRICS / MCIOB qualifications and any relevant degrees in Building Surveying. If you are working towards Chartership, mention this as well, as it shows your commitment to professional development.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in a Building Surveyor role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Building Surveying Basics
Brush up on your knowledge of building pathology, defect diagnosis, and contract administration. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
✨Understand Forestry England's Mission
Familiarise yourself with Forestry England's goals and the importance of sustainable management of woodlands. Showing that you understand their mission will help you align your answers with their values during the interview.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions
Since strong stakeholder management skills are crucial for this role, think of instances where you've successfully communicated with various stakeholders. Be ready to explain how you handled challenges and maintained relationships.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in planning and managing building works, including both maintenance and capital projects. Highlight any specific projects you've led, focusing on your role and the outcomes achieved.