Environment Agency
Senior Building Surveyor, Southwest & Thames Hub - 35578
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full and valid driving licence proven experience in building surveying strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects a good working knowledge of leading and advising on property matters within high-profile, complex cases or projects good planning, prioritisation and time-management skills with the ability to achieve targets and meet deadlines the ability to make quick, pragmatic, reasoned and practical decisions and recommendations based upon sound analysis and reason
Job Description
AN ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE OF £4,750 IS OFFERED FOR THIS ROLE, INCREASING THE SALARY TO £59,690 PRO RATA. Please read the Additional Information pack for details about this allowance payment and role.
We are fully committed to being an inclusive and supportive employer, offering equal opportunities for all. We actively encourage flexible working arrangements, including compressed hours, recognising that diverse and adaptable working patterns help us build high‑performing, multi‑skilled teams. Together, we are working towards sustainable growth, tackling climate change, supporting nature’s recovery, and securing a better future for everyone.
As a Senior Building Surveyor, you will play a key role within the Estates Service, providing expert advice on a wide range of building‑related matters. The post will primarily support the Residential Estate, but also aspects of the Commercial Estate, offering the opportunity to work across a diverse and nationally significant property portfolio. This is a national role and will require a willingness to travel as necessary.
Working within the Residential Team, you will bring substantial experience in building surveying, alongside strong communication and interpersonal skills. You will be confident in building and maintaining effective working relationships with a range of framework contractors and stakeholders. The role requires the ability to work effectively under pressure, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and balance competing priorities.
You will hold a portfolio of complex cases and play an active role in supporting colleagues through the proactive sharing of up‑to‑date knowledge, current legislation, and best practice. You will be expected to contribute to continuous improvement across the service by offering guidance, mentoring, and professional insight.
Incident response is an integral part of our work. As such, you will be assigned an incident role and must be prepared to make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support when required.
The team
The Estates Team is part of Corporate and National Services and sits in the Strategy, Transformation and Assurance directorate.
The Estates service extends to 140 people, offering professional support for Environment Agency land, property, compensation and valuation matters. Our experienced teams specialise in negotiating access, dealing with compensation claims from land/property owners where they have suffered loss as a consequence of our work.
Experience/skills Required
Please read the Additional Information pack for the full essential and desirable criteria required for this role. The qualifications/memberships and experience required for this role are as follows:
fully qualified as a chartered surveyor of the RICS Building Surveyor pathway (MRICS/FRICS) full and valid driving licence proven experience in building surveying strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects a good working knowledge of leading and advising on property matters within high-profile, complex cases or projects good planning, prioritisation and time-management skills with the ability to achieve targets and meet deadlines the ability to make quick, pragmatic, reasoned and practical decisions and recommendations based upon sound analysis and reason
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Contact and additional information
We’re hosting an open MS Teams call on 16 July at 10:00, and you’re welcome to join us to learn more about the role. Email RecruitmentEstates@environment-agency.gov.uk for the details. You can also download the Additional Information pack, which includes helpful guidance for your application.
A full UK driving licence is required, as you’ll travel to various sites, and a vehicle will be provided.
Most of the property you’ll supporting is based in and around Reading. You’ll be expected to travel at least twice a month to meet with the team and undertake site visits which will include overnight stays.
If you have any questions or would like an informal chat, please email RecruitmentEstates@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Interviews are expected to take place via MS Teams on 8 September.
Competence 1
Achieves Results
Description
Sets and delivers high work standards and demonstrates the drive to meet delivery targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.
This role will include involvement in delivering our programme of Flood Risk capital projects.
In under 250 words, describe a time you delivered a successful project while managing a complex workload. Briefly explain the project, how you planned and prioritised it alongside other tasks, how you monitored progress, and how you knew it was successful.
Your answer will be used for interview selection, so please ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach and review our EA Capability Dictionary.
Competence 2
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
This role is about representing your professional surveying knowledge and expertise in the context of EA business delivery.
In under 250 words, describe a time you worked with a client to understand their issue and outline possible options before agreeing on the best solution. Focus on how you ensured they fully understood the surveying aspects, and how this helped protect them from long‑term financial or reputational risk.
Your answer will be used for interview selection, so please ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach and review our EA Capability Dictionary.
Competence 3
Coaches Others
Description
Uses variety of methods, including direct instruction, coaching and feedback skills to help others to develop.
Although this role does not include formal line management, it will play a key part in supporting colleagues to grow their professional skills both for their current responsibilities and their longer‑term development. The role is also expected to help team members progress toward achieving chartered status.
In no more than 250 words, describe how you have helped raise overall performance by creating a positive learning environment and by coaching or mentoring others in their professional development. What inspiration or motivation have you provided to those you’ve supported?
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Your answer will be used for interview selection, so please ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach and review our EA Capability Dictionary.
Competence 4
Technical Skills
Description
This is an unscored question and for information only.
To apply for this role, you must hold the following qualifications/memberships. Please confirm which and in what pathway:
qualified as a chartered building surveyor (MRICS/FRICS)
Role specific license requirements
A full UK driving licence is essential to travel to sites and offices across our hubs, some of which are inaccessible by public transport.
Role specific professional membership requirements
You'll be qualified as a chartered building surveyor (MRICS/FRICS), IMPORTANT: PLEASE STATE WHICH QUALIFICATION/MEMBERSHIP YOU HOLD ON THE APPLICATION FORM.
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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