At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage small-scale projects and property refurbishments to enhance community living.
- Company: Cheltenham Borough Council, dedicated to quality homes and thriving communities.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, excellent pension, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on community wellbeing and project success.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career in surveying.
- Qualifications: Degree in Building Surveying or 5 years relevant experience required.
Are you ready to make a real difference to people's homes and communities? Cheltenham Borough Council has an exciting Small Works Surveyor opportunity!
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50
Salary: £35,412 - £48,053 (pay award pending wef 1 April 2026)
Job Type: Full-time, permanent
About Us: Cheltenham Borough Council Housing Services is dedicated to delivering safe, quality homes and supporting residents to build thriving communities. Across Cheltenham, we manage over 4,500 homes and deliver investment programmes that enhance the quality of life for our residents. The Technical and Investment team is responsible for planned maintenance, capital investment and statutory compliance, ensuring our housing stock is safe, sustainable and maintained to a high standard for current and future generations.
Small Works Surveyor - The Role: As a Small Works Surveyor, you will take ownership of a varied portfolio of small-scale projects, property refurbishments and individual property renovations, ensuring that repairs, improvements and adaptations are delivered efficiently, safely and to a high standard. Working as part of the Technical and Investment team, you will help maintain and enhance our housing stock. You will undertake property inspections and surveys, develop specifications and scopes of work, obtain quotations, and manage projects from inception through to completion. This includes overseeing contractors on site, monitoring quality, programme and costs, and ensuring all works are delivered in accordance with health and safety legislation, statutory compliance requirements and Council policies. The role requires strong customer focus and stakeholder engagement, as you will work closely with residents, contractors and colleagues to resolve issues, minimise disruption and achieve positive outcomes. You will also maintain accurate property records and ensure that asset information is updated to support effective investment planning and decision-making. This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive and organised surveyor who enjoys managing projects, solving problems and making a tangible difference to residents' homes and communities.
Small Works Surveyor - Key Responsibilities:
- Carry out property inspections to identify defects and recommend solutions, including works to major voids, housing disrepair cases, and damp and mould assessments
- Deliver and oversee improvement, refurbishment and maintenance projects typically up to £40k in value
- Develop clear project scopes, obtain competitive quotes, and ensure compliance with procurement policy and building legislation
- Instruct, manage and monitor contractors to deliver projects to agreed specifications, budgets, timescales and KPIs
- Conduct regular site inspections, sign off completed works and maintain accurate property records
- Ensure all projects meet health and safety and statutory compliance requirements, including acting as Principal Designer under CDM Regulations where required
- Engage with customers and stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and satisfaction throughout projects
Small Works Surveyor - You:
- Degree in Building Surveying or at least 5 years of relevant experience in building surveying or project management
- Experience delivering or supporting small works or refurbishment projects
- Strong technical knowledge of building construction and compliance requirements
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Great communication skills and a commitment to delivering outstanding customer service
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel around the Cheltenham area
Benefits:
- An excellent pension scheme. You will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- A generous holiday entitlement of 26 days (pro rata) rising to 31 days (pro rata) after five years (excluding Bank Holidays)
- A flexible and agile working environment. We aim to provide opportunities to work from home or elsewhere and offer flexibility in working hours
- A comprehensive programme of learning and development
- Two days (pro rata) paid time off for volunteering
- Enhanced maternity and paternity schemes
- Access to free counselling services
- Upon successful completion of your probation period, you will then have access to our Healthcare Cashback Plan
- A cycle to work scheme
- Low-cost town centre parking
- A commitment to employee wellbeing
To submit your CV for this exciting Small Works Surveyor opportunity, click Apply today.
Small Works Surveyor in Cheltenham employer: Cheltenham Borough Council
Cheltenham Borough Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents through safe and sustainable housing. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, generous holiday entitlements, and a flexible working environment, we foster a culture of growth and development. Join us as a Small Works Surveyor and make a meaningful impact in your community while enjoying comprehensive benefits and support.
Contact Details:
Cheltenham Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Small Works Surveyor in Cheltenham
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Cheltenham Borough Council, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Small Works Surveyor at Cheltenham Borough Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Small Works Surveyor in Cheltenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cheltenham Borough Council
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
