At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage damp and mould repairs, ensuring safe and healthy housing for residents.
- Company: Southampton City Council, dedicated to improving community living conditions.
- Benefits: Long-term contract with potential extension and on-site parking.
- Other info: Immediate start available; dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on housing quality while developing your surveying skills.
- Qualifications: HNC/HND in Building Surveying or related field; experience in social housing preferred.
Southampton City Council is looking for an experienced Building Surveyor with a strong background in damp, mould, and disrepair to join their Housing Operations team on a long-term contract basis. This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in improving housing conditions across the council's residential portfolio, ensuring properties remain safe, compliant, and healthy environments for residents.
The Role
You will be responsible for managing and delivering a programme of damp and mould-related repairs, maintenance, and improvement works across the housing stock. Working closely with contractors, residents, and internal stakeholders, you will investigate property defects, specify remedial works, and oversee projects from inception through to completion. The successful candidate will be confident managing multiple workstreams, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to a high standard.
Key Responsibilities
- Undertake detailed damp, mould, condensation, and disrepair inspections.
- Produce professional DRI (Damp Reduction Initiative) reports and recommendations.
- Specify and manage remedial repair and maintenance works.
- Ensure compliance with CDM regulations and health & safety legislation.
- Manage contractors and monitor quality, programme, and cost performance.
- Investigate building defects and identify appropriate solutions.
- Prepare reports, specifications, schedules of work, and project documentation.
- Manage project delivery, resource scheduling, and financial control.
- Liaise with tenants, leaseholders, contractors, and internal departments.
- Support the delivery of responsive repairs, planned maintenance, and minor works programmes.
Requirements
- HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Building Surveying, Construction, or a related discipline.
- Strong knowledge of building pathology, particularly damp and mould diagnosis and remediation.
- Experience within social housing, repairs, maintenance, or property services.
- Understanding of disrepair legislation, HHSRS, Awaab's Law, and relevant housing legislation.
- Demonstrable experience managing contractors and delivering maintenance projects.
- Good knowledge of CDM 2015 and health & safety requirements.
- Ability to produce clear technical reports and specifications.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Working Hours
Monday to Thursday: 7:30am - 4:15pm
Friday: 7:30am - 3:15pm
Parking is available on site.
Additional Information
This contract is expected to run for a minimum of 6 months and may be extended beyond this period. Due to project demands, they are looking for someone who can start as soon as possible following the interview and vetting process.
If you're an experienced Building Surveyor looking for your next challenge and want to make a real impact within a large housing portfolio, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today or contact us for a confidential discussion.
Damp & Mould Surveyor employer: Carrington West
Southampton City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for Building Surveyors to make a significant impact on housing conditions within the community. With a strong commitment to employee development and a collaborative work culture, you will benefit from working in a supportive environment that values your expertise while ensuring compliance and safety in residential properties. The role not only provides competitive remuneration but also the chance to contribute to meaningful projects that enhance the quality of life for residents in Southampton.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Damp & Mould Surveyor
✨Get Your Foot in the Door
Temporary roles in construction often rely on quick recruitment, so make sure to visit local recruitment agencies that specialise in the construction sector. They usually have a go-to list of companies that need staff urgently, helping us connect with potential employers faster.
✨Leverage Community Connections
Construction is all about connections! Check out local trade events, networking gatherings, or even social media groups focused on your area. Engaging with the community can lead to insider knowledge about temporary job openings that might not be advertised anywhere else.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Solid Portfolio
Even for temporary gigs, a visual portfolio can really set you apart. Take photos of previous projects you’ve worked on, or if you're fresh in the industry, show examples of your work during training. This can help us demonstrate our hands-on experience to potential employers, like Carrington West.
✨Apply Directly at Construction Sites
Don’t overlook the power of walking directly into construction sites. Many temporary positions are filled on the spot, so it’s worth popping by local sites and having a face-to-face chat. Bring your CV and be ready to impress, as companies like Carrington West appreciate proactive candidates ready to jump in when needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Damp & Mould Surveyor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the construction game, having hands-on experience matters! Be sure to showcase any previous temporary roles or projects you've worked on in your CV. Mention specific skills like safety protocols, tools you're familiar with, or types of construction work you've done – this will help you stand out!
Showcase Certifications and Training:If you've got any relevant certifications or training like a CSCS card or health and safety courses, flaunt them! Include them in your CV and mention them in your cover letter. It shows that you're not just ready to get to work but that you've got the essential safety knowledge, which is super important in the construction industry.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:For a temporary role, flexibility is key! In your cover letter, make sure to clearly state your availability – are you ready to start immediately? Can you work various shifts? Letting Carrington West know how adaptable you are might just get you the edge over other candidates.
Keep it Concise and Clear:When applying for temporary roles in construction, employers often appreciate brevity. Keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. Focus on the skills and experiences that align most with what Carrington West is looking for. Avoid unnecessary fluff to make it easier for them to see why you’re the perfect fit!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carrington West
✨Show Off Your Safety Knowledge
In construction, health and safety is non-negotiable. Get comfortable with specific safety regulations like COSHH or Working at Height – you might get asked how you’d handle risk assessments or unsafe conditions. We need to show that we prioritise safety above all else.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect practical questions or even a mini test where you’ll need to demonstrate basic skills. They might set up a scenario and ask how you would approach a specific task. Let’s prepare by brushing up on our trade skills and thinking through past projects we’ve worked on.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, they’ll want to know if you can adapt quickly to different teams and situations. Let's think about past experiences where we've had to adjust on the fly. This will show we’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Highlight Your Previous Experience
Temporary roles often require hitting the ground running, so make sure to have a few stories lined up that showcase your relevant experience in construction. We want to emphasise skills that might not be on our CV—like teamwork and problem-solving when things don't go to plan.
