At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead inspections and manage damp, mould, and disrepair cases for Harlow District Council.
- Company: Join Harlow District Council, a supportive local authority focused on community welfare.
- Benefits: Earn £450 per day with opportunities for professional growth and impactful work.
- Other info: Work on-site 3-4 days a week in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives by resolving housing issues effectively.
- Qualifications: Strong knowledge of damp and mould, plus experience in managing teams and housing legislation.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
Harlow District Council is recruiting a temporary Senior Damp, Mould and Disrepair Surveyor on a 12-month basis. This post requires the successful individual to be based on site 3-4 days per week.
The role
To lead the delivery of Harlow Council's damp, mould and disrepair surveying function, ensuring that cases are inspected, diagnosed, managed and resolved in line with statutory duties, Awaab's Law, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, the Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code, and the Council's repairs, damp and mould, disrepair and asset management policies. The postholder will provide technical leadership and day-to-day line management for two Damp and Mould Surveyors and one Disrepair Surveyor, ensuring high-quality inspections, accurate diagnosis, effective case progression, clear resident communication and timely completion of remedial works.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage, supervise and support two Damp and Mould Surveyors and one Disrepair Surveyor, including workload allocation, case reviews, performance monitoring and technical guidance.
- Lead on complex damp, mould and disrepair cases, ensuring inspections are completed, root causes are identified, and appropriate remedial actions are specified.
- Ensure damp and mould cases are assessed and progressed in line with Awaab's Law, HHSRS requirements, the Council's Damp, Mould and Environmental Issues Policy and relevant statutory timescales.
- Oversee disrepair cases from inspection through to completion, working closely with Legal Services, complaints, repairs teams, contractors and housing management.
- Carry out technical surveys, prepare schedules of work, identify hazards, assess risk and recommend suitable remedial, preventative or enforcement actions.
- Ensure clear case ownership across damp, mould and disrepair cases, with accurate records, photographs, inspection notes, risk assessments and updates maintained on Council systems.
- Monitor team performance against targets, including inspection timescales, case progression, post-inspections, completion of works, resident updates and closure outcomes.
- Provide quality assurance on survey reports, schedules of work, contractor recommendations and completed works to ensure technical accuracy and consistency.
- Work with repairs contractors and service providers to ensure works are raised, prioritised, completed and post inspected where required.
- Support the reduction of repeat damp and mould reports by identifying trends, root causes and opportunities for planned investment or preventative works.
- Provide technical advice to housing management, complaints, customer resolution, legal, asset management and senior managers.
- Ensure tenants and leaseholders receive clear, timely and appropriate communication about inspection findings, works required, timescales and aftercare advice.
- Support vulnerable tenants and households with complex needs by ensuring risk, safeguarding and reasonable adjustment considerations are built into case management.
- Prepare reports, case summaries, performance updates and briefings for managers, senior leadership, councillors, panels, complaints, legal proceedings or Ombudsman cases.
- Ensure disrepair and damp and mould data is accurate, up to date and used to inform service improvement, contractor performance and planned maintenance programmes.
The experience you will bring
- Strong technical knowledge of damp, mould, condensation, water ingress, ventilation, building defects and housing disrepair.
- Experience of diagnosing building defects within domestic housing, ideally within social housing or local authority housing.
- Knowledge of Awaab's Law, HHSRS, landlord repairing obligations, the Decent Homes Standard, the Housing Ombudsman approach and relevant housing legislation.
- Experience of managing or supervising staff, allocating workloads and supporting performance improvement.
- Experience of preparing survey reports, specifications, schedules of work and technical recommendations.
- Experience of working with contractors to deliver repairs and remedial works.
Senior Damp, Mould and Disrepair Surveyor - Harlow DC employer: Essex County Counci
Harlow District Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. With a focus on community impact, the role of Senior Damp, Mould and Disrepair Surveyor provides the opportunity to lead a dedicated team while ensuring high standards of housing quality for residents. Located in Harlow, employees benefit from a collaborative culture, competitive pay, and the chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable tenants.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Damp, Mould and Disrepair Surveyor - Harlow DC
✨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 Essex County Counci.
✨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 Essex County Counci appreciate proactive candidates ready to jump in when needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Damp, Mould and Disrepair Surveyor - Harlow DC
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 Essex County Counci 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 Essex County Counci 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 Essex County Counci
✨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.
