About the job

Job summary

Forestry England are the nation’s largest land manager, caring for the nation’s forests for people, nature and the economy. The foundation of our organisation is our world-class sustainable management of the nation’s forests.

Our four values capture how we work:

• Think beyond a lifetime - We make plans today for a better tomorrow, so our business and our forests are sustainable and fit for the future.
• Be adventurous - We approach challenges with creativity and adventure, embracing research and innovation to stay relevant.
• Do it together - We get our best results when we work with others, and we encourage diverse perspectives, so we make better decisions.
• Look out and look after - We care about our colleagues, volunteers, partners, and customers, and we take a stand against unsafe behaviour.

Yorkshire Forest District covers 21,000ha, most of which is in protected landscapes of the North York Moors and Howardian Hills AONB. The districts property portfolio is diverse; from timber sheds to iconic visitor centres, and domestic houses to deer larders.

Alongside our traditional timber production, the District:

• offers recreational opportunities for people to enjoy in our fantastic woodlands;
• protects and enhances valuable habitats for the benefit of wildlife; and
• delivers economic growth by supporting local businesses and rural employment.

We’re looking for a driven and solution orientated Building Surveyor to be part of our Estates team; delivering the professional support and advice associated with such a diverse rural estate and property portfolio.

If you enjoy working outdoors, want to look after a diverse property portfolio including off grid and listed, want to develop opportunities to generate income and play a part in enabling Forestry England to achieve our net zero goals then this is an exciting opportunity for you.

Job description

Key Work Areas

Deliver professional and solution focused building management across Yorkshire Forest District utilising the most efficient means and to agreed budgets. 

Plan, specify, procure using public procurement guidelines, implement and monitor programmes of work including planned and reactive maintenance to a high standard ensuring compliance with all statutory regulations.

Administer contracts using NEC4 forms of contract and undertake the role of Principal Designer.

Improve the financial and environmental sustainability of all property assets.

Set and manage annual capital and revenue budgets with Land Agent and Finance Manager.

Identifying and delivering projects to decarbonise the built estate through energy efficiency, transitioning away from fossil fuels and incorporating appropriate renewable energy generation.

Lead the procurement of and implementation of Conservation Management Plans for historic built assets, ensuring the assets are maintained and utilised appropriately.

Work with the wider team to develop ambitious projects across the District, including the preparation of business cases for investment

Lead on compliance for Legionella and asbestos management including advice and training for wider colleagues as required.

The role will include emergency out of hours duty rota cover, regular travel around the District and occasional requirements for national travel/ overnight stays. 

Person specification

Essential

Achieved or working towards Chartered status with RICS or CIOB (support can be given in the attainment of such), or demonstrable relevant building surveying experience at a management level.

You will have a good broad knowledge of building pathology, with the ability to analyse complex and unusual building related issues to develop detailed specifications and solutions to give the best whole life outcome.

Fulfil the duties of Client under CDM 2015 Regulations for construction projects, ensuring safety and value for money throughout.

Experience in managing budgets and procuring services effectively.

Excellent communicator and experience in running projects with multiple internal and external stakeholders.

Competent user of MS Office - in particular, Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams. Familiar with the use of AutoCAD and GIS or equivalent packages.

Full UK Driving Licence

Desirable

Good understanding of renewable technologies, sustainability principles and energy efficiency in a range of buildings.

Experience in writing specifications and overseeing works to historic buildings to conservation standards.

Good understanding of off grid utility services

Understanding of asbestos and legionella control/ management.

Relevant demonstrable construction and building management experience at a management level including the use of NEC4 contracts and administration.

Please clearly demonstrate how the above applies to you throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,870, Forestry Commission contributes £9,721 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

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

1. A CV showing your qualifications, job history including key skills, experience and responsibilities for each role.
2. A Personal Statement (no longer than 750 words) explaining why you are applying for the role and how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for the job, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification and links to the key work areas.

Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using Experience only, provided in the CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Sift dates to be confirmed.

Face to face interviews will take place at The District Office in Pickering. Date to be confirmed.

During your interview you will be required to do a scenario presentation (details provided at interview), you will also be questioned on your experience and listed behaviours.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Forestry 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

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

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.

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

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.

Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 

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. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

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

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.