Area Building Control Surveyor in Bromley

MAIN PURPOSE: Provide technical expertise and control in the administration and enforcement of the Building Act, Building Regulations, London Building Acts and allied legislation to ensure an adequate standard of construction, with regard to public health and safety, in respect of the built environment within the geographical area of the Borough.

Responsible for the management of the full scope of developments within a geographical area of the Borough, including plan checking, site inspections and the enforcement of the Building Regulations. Responsibility to deal with dangerous structures and demolitions and instigating emergency action as appropriate to secure the safety of the public.

As a member of the building control team, they will advise the public, members and other officers on matters relating to the functions, policies and service of the Building Control Service. Work closely with other services to achieve the Division's aims and targets. To always perform responsibilities with a Customer Service and Performance Improvement focus.

• Processing Building Regulation applications (across all sectors).
• Examine plans and details submitted under the Building Regulations, check for compliance with the requirements of those Regulations and allied legislation including the checking of simple beam calculations and to request additional information where information is deficient.
• Consult with the Fire Authority under the Fire Precautions Act in respect of designated buildings and other Sections and Divisions where appropriate.
• Issue decision notice (Approval or Rejection) of proposals following the examination and consultations outlined above within statutory time periods.
• Carry out site inspections (across all sectors).
• Management of area within district for site inspections, carrying out regular site inspections of building work in progress from commencement of work through to completion to ensure that the works accord with the approved plans and are in conformity with the requirements of the Building Regulations.
• Make decisions on site (approve or reject) regarding any alterations and amendments to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations including regularisation applications.
• Ensure that a Planning "Plan Check" is carried out where appropriate and report any discrepancies to the Development Control Section either in the submitted plans or works on site.
• Note any contraventions of the Regulations and report any which are not immediately rectified to the Head of Building Control for formal Enforcement Procedures to be implemented.
• Carry out investigations into breaches of building control legislation, identify and make recommendations of appropriate course of action.
• Determine regularisation submissions and issue of regularisation certificates as appropriate following inspection of completed work.
• Keep accurate and up to date records of site inspections.
• Issue completion certificate on satisfactory completion.
• Attend major emergency incidents and dangerous structures including out of hours. Identify work required to secure the safety of residents and public. Instruct the emergency contractor and supervise the emergency work as required.
• Provide advice on Building Regulation applications.
• Provide advice on the building regulation process and technical requirements to members of the public, Surveyors, Architects, and Solicitors etc on all aspects of Building Regulations in a customer-orientated manner.
• Promote the building control service to existing and potential new customers to maintain and attract business, improve client satisfaction and maintain effective relationships with other stakeholders such as colleagues, the public and members.
• Prepare proofs of evidence/witness statements and attend Court as necessary to act as a professional witness to give evidence in Court proceedings.
• Work cooperatively with other teams within the Council, particularly Development Management and Enforcement.

Development of Others:

• Supervise staff temporarily allocated to the service area and assist in the training of other staff.
• Provide mentor support for the plan vetting and site inspections for the Trainee and Assistant Building Control Surveyor.
• Undertake personal learning and development.
• Ensure self-development and training in accordance with business needs and the culture of the Council.
• Undertake training and development to gain competence in dealing with more complex building work.

CONTACTS AND RELATIONSHIPS:

• Internally - Other services such as officers in Development Management, Planning Enforcement, Environmental Services.
• Externally - Customers of the service, London Fire Brigade, other Local Authority Building Control Services, Thames Water.

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP:

• Lead surveyor on developments within geographical area.
• Responsible for the commissioning and supervision of emergency work to ensure the safety of dangerous structures.
• Provide support in the training and development of the Trainee Building Control Surveyor and the Assistant Building Control Surveyor.

Person Specification:

• SKILLS & ABILITIES:
• Ability to supervise and motivate staff.
• Proven communication skills with the public, developers, builders and architects.
• Organisational skills and daily accurate record keeping.
• Be self-motivated, work on own initiative, determine priorities and achieve results.
• Good ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems such as viewing technical drawings.
• Ability to think logically, interpret and solve problems and make informed decisions on site.
• Ability to interpret detailed architectural drawings, structural design and specifications.
• Ability to carry out overview of fire engineering reports.
• Work in a team for the benefit of the whole section.
• Authority and credibility to build relationships, influence and engage successfully with colleagues, partners and customers at all levels in complex situations.
• Good planning and organisational skills, with proven ability to prioritise and co-ordinate workloads, monitor and evaluate work, to ensure standards, outcomes and deadlines are achieved.

• KNOWLEDGE:
• Authoritative knowledge of relevant systems, regulations, legislation, best practice, policies and procedures.
• Detailed knowledge and experience in the application of Building Regulation and associated legislation including court and enforcement action.
• Appreciation and understanding of new methods of construction and less traditional construction techniques.
• Appreciation of structures and foundation design.
• An understanding of the political considerations involved in working in a Local Authority.

• EXPERIENCE:
• Substantial practical experience in Building Control to include commercial and industrial work and enforcement of Building Regulations with expert knowledge in the specialist field. To include plan examination and site inspections.
• Competent in the assessment of building failure.
• Have worked effectively in highly pressurised work situations.

• QUALIFICATIONS:
• Full Corporate Membership of RICS, CABE or CIOB.
• Achieve by assessment LABC Level 6 Competency.

• SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Full driving licence and the use of a vehicle.
• The ability to carry out site visits e.g. traverse uneven ground and climb ladders.
• As the role is customer-facing, the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide technical and other advice in accurate spoken English.