Chartered Building Surveyor – Built Environment

Job summary

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) are the public sector’s property valuation experts and advisers with a vision to be a world-leading provider of public sector valuations. As one of the largest employers of surveyors in the country, our work is vital to the collection of over £60 billion of revenue which goes back into communities, touching every citizen and every business across England and Wales.

We champion the values of professionalism, integrity, respect and innovation. We are committed to providing a collaborative and supportive working environment that encourages every colleague to contribute, grow and excel together. With opportunities to drive your own development and growth, we empower our colleagues to succeed by ensuring support at every step of their career journey.

Job description

Chartered Building Surveyor – Built Environment – Role Overview

The Valuation Office is seeking a RICS-qualified Chartered Building Surveyor to join our Built Environment and Minerals Surveying (BEAMS) team.

The BEAMS team prides itself on its professionalism, customer focus, and the provision of independent and impartial cost and surveying services. Our team comprises Chartered Surveyors specialising in Minerals & Waste Management, Quantity, and Building Surveying, providing impartial advice relating to cost and repair.

Our services are essential for maintaining the Agency's non-domestic rating list. BEAMS also extends its professional services to other government bodies.

BEAMS are responsible for the provision of surveying services encompassing a diverse portfolio of properties and specialist building structures, varying significantly in complexity and scale. Professionals within our team may be assigned to projects involving historically significant buildings, as well as unique and specialised structures such as lighthouses, government facilities, and nuclear sites.

This opportunity would form part of our core operational delivery, in the specialist surveying area of:

Building Surveying - This encompasses comprehensive assessments, including pathology analysis, cost scheduling for repair works, dilapidation surveys, condition assessments, insurance reinstatement evaluations, disrepair cost estimations, and depreciated reinstatement cost advice. Our expertise extends to the preparation of Agency Cost Guides, incorporating detailed specifications, evidence-based cost data, and the provision of cost information to support contractor basis valuations. We also provide development viability assessments and cost appraisals for various government bodies.

The training we offer will support you to enhance your technical knowledge and further your career.

Chartered Building Surveyor – Built Environment – Key Responsibilities

• Providing specialist advice on the cost and repair of buildings, infrastructure, and associated attributes. Preparing schedules of costs and professional reports.
• Maintaining your knowledge through CPD (Continuous Professional Development) in areas of legislation, case law, codes of practice and professional standards relevant to your area of expertise and the work undertaken within the Built Environment Team.
• Managing and mitigating risks and issues, ensuring timely escalation to senior colleagues.
• Managing and supporting the delivery of single jobs or projects to ensure time, cost, and quality deliverables are met.
• On occasions you may be called upon to act as an expert witness at Valuation Tribunal and other courts as required (Training and support in appearing as an expert witness will be provided).
• Provide mentoring, technical advice and training to support graduates and apprentices on their APC pathways and to support the development of others within the immediate team or wider agency as required.
• Working knowledge and application of Microsoft Office Excel and Word is essential to enable the preparation of reports and cost estimates.

Person specification

The Built Environment and Mineral Surveyors Team (BEAMS) seeks a highly motivated and technically proficient RICS Chartered Building Surveyor to join its dynamic team.

The role holder must consistently achieve project milestones and meet client expectations. This role therefore requires the capacity to effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously within a dynamic, high-pressure environment. This includes adhering to delivery deadlines established in consultation with both clients and technical leads.

The successful candidate will effectively self-manage and function autonomously, working pro-actively to mitigate risks and ensure a timely escalation of potential issues to senior colleagues. The role holder will support the successful delivery of projects, adhering to predetermined time, cost, and quality standards, maintaining their current knowledge through Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Essential Requirements

• Possession of a full FRICS or MRICS (Fellow or Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) qualification in Building Surveying.
• Proficient in building technology is essential. This includes competency in generating building cost estimations and repair reports, coupled with a fundamental understanding of building services and systems.
• Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to build and manage working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• To mentor and provide technical guidance to colleagues and contribute effectively within a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrate strong analytical and decision-making skills by interpreting a range of evidence to provide relevant advice and reach sound conclusions, using initiative when problem solving with limited information.
• The successful candidate will be required to travel, which will include overnight stays. We are reasonable with our expectations and provide flexible working arrangements to support this need.

Please note that due to specialist requirements of this role, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Initiate the application process to attain Registered Valuer status within twelve months of commencing the role.
• Obtain Developed Vetting (DV Level) security clearance. Due to the sensitive nature of our work with various public sector organisations this must be applied for within 12 months of commencing the role.
• Undertake an enhanced DBS check.

Licences

A full UK Driving Licence is essential to this role. However, if you are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 and do not hold a full driving licence, we will consider your application. Please contact resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk with your details to discuss this further.

Qualifications

Possession of a full FRICS or MRICS (Fellow or Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) qualification in Building Surveying is required.

Memberships

The successful candidate must initiate the application process to attain Registered Valuer status within six months of commencing the role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• These will be Technical Questions focusing on Skills relevant to a Chartered Building or Quantity Surveyor - these are not provided in advance of interview

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £48,886, Valuation Office Agency contributes £14,162 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We offer a range of flexible working options, a generous leave allowance that starts at 25 days (increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days) and a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. We also offer:

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• Family friendly policies including 26 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption or shared parental leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme offering comprehensive wellbeing support.
• To learn more about the extensive benefits we can offer you as a VOA employee please download our Benefits Booklet: VOA_benefits_booklet.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk).

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

If you can meet our person requirements above, we are keen to hear from you.

To apply for this post, you must complete an online application with the following:

• A CV setting out your Job History/Full Qualifications/Previous skills and experiences.
• A Personal Statement (maximum 750 words), for your personal statement we would like you to effectively demonstrate your ability to meet stated expectations outlined in the essential requirements and person specification, supported by specific examples. Please ensure to provide clear and concise evidence of your proficiency and expertise to showcase your suitability for the role.

Sift - 25th February 2026. Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change.

• We will assess you on your CV and Personal Statement.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

Interviews -W/C 16th March 2026. Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change. These will be confirmed should you be invited to interview.

Interviews are currently taking place using Microsoft Teams Video. We will provide more detail if you are shortlisted for interview.

• We will assess you on the Behaviours listed in the job description, Technical Questions and Strengths.

At the interview, the panel can then probe further and ask applicants to provide further specific examples that show how they best demonstrate their skills.

Behaviours

The distinguishing Behaviours (the required skills, knowledge and behaviours) for this role are set out in the Civil Service Behaviours Framework 2018 (Success Profiles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) and should be referred to when making this application.

You are required, under the Behaviours approach, to describe how you have dealt with a specific situation.

You must give evidence of your knowledge, skills and behaviours and how you have applied this, such as what you did or said and how you interacted with other people.

When you are giving your examples, do not spend too many words on description and background information. Avoid using general or unspecific statements. Instead say what the situation was, what you did what your thought process was and so on.

Technical

These will be Technical Questions focusing on Skills relevant to a Chartered Building or Quantity Surveyor - these are not provided in advance of interview.

Application Hints and Tips

For more information on Success Profiles, tips on how to write a successful application and find out more about what’s involved in the application process please visit About the application process , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk).

Further Information

This role will be under HMRC terms and conditions: Terms and conditions in HMRC - GOV.UK.

You will be joining the department during the transition of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) into HMRC. For this reason, the role will start on VOA terms and conditions for a temporary transition period. After this, your employment will move to HMRC terms and conditions.

As part of the application process you will be asked to tell us which of the locations available you can work in. You will be able to specify up to 2 options. Please be aware that you can be posted to any location that you put in your preferences. If you would only like to be posted to one location, please confirm one location only.

Successful candidates must select one of the locations noted in this advert as their base office and will be expected to undertake regular travel to this location under the Agency’s hybrid working policy.

A full UK Driving Licence is essential to this role. However, if you are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 and do not hold a full driving licence, we will consider your application. Please contact resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk with your details to discuss this further.

Any move to VOA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

The VOA is an office-based organisation that supports flexible working. By default, everyone in the VOA is a hybrid worker with options to work in the office, at home or out and about, depending on the work they’re doing that day and where it’s best done.

VOA employees only: If you are currently in receipt of DTA as a result of a VOA office closure/restructure and it is agreed for you to take up this role in your current location, you may continue to receive DTA for the remainder of the period you can claim for. Please check with the Vacancy Holder on preferred locations for this role before you apply.

This post is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish Citizen, under the EU settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for this post in relation to the Skilled Worker Visa route before applying.

To be eligible for sponsorship you will usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of £38700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria.

Ensure you are eligible before applying for this post.

You can also contact resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk for further support.

Pre-employment Checks

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Reasonable Adjustment

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition, or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a reasonable adjustment or a change to be made so that you can make your application please

• Click here for more information: Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)
• Contact voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible.
• Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.

Terms & Conditions

Voluntary terms apply.

Reserve Lists

If we have more successful candidates than available vacancies, we will hold a 6-month reserve list.

During that time, we may use the list to fill the same, or similar roles with closely matching essential criteria, without further testing of merit. Any appointments from the Reserve list will be made in strict merit order.

Starting Work

The successful candidate will normally take up duty within one month from notification of successful completion of pre-employment checks.

Applying

All applications for these vacancies must be made online. There are limited exceptions to this. Paper applications will only be considered if you have a disability that will prevent you from applying online. If this is the case, please email voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Once you have submitted your application it cannot be amended; only submit your application when you have completely finished and answered all the relevant questions.

Please note that late applications will not be accepted.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Concerns/Complaints

The Valuation Office Agency’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you may make a complaint, by contacting the Central Recruitment Team at the following address: resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk.

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint you have the right to complain to the Civil Service Commissioners.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Richard Bryan
• Email : richard.bryan@voa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : VOARecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk