About the job

Job summary

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) are the public sector’s property valuation experts and advisers. We are one of the largest employers of surveyors in the country offering access to a whole host of learning and development opportunities to support your career development.

We’re looking for talented people who are eager to contribute to vital public services and assist us to deliver taxation and benefits support to the government and local authorities. Your skills and experience will enable us to provide an efficient, effective service right at the heart of the public interest.

At the heart of the agency, we are committed to providing our people with a work environment which is accommodating and accessible to all and which values diversity and inclusion in everything we do.  We encourage our people to bring their whole selves to work by providing a culture that values different perspectives to help tackle complex problems, promote innovation and deliver stronger decision making in a safe and supportive environment. We therefore welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds to join our organisation and enable us to be representative of the communities we serve.

Job description

Role Overview

We are looking for people with great potential, eager to start a new career with our fully funded Surveying Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship. An integrated programme of work and learning will be put in place to ensure you get the right mix and breadth of experience required to complete your apprenticeship.

Key responsibilities

Property inspection, producing and recording digital surveys. 

• Value properties for Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rating or District Valuer Services.
• Prepare case notes and deciding outcomes within set guidelines and supervision.
• Respond to ratepayer enquiries on the telephone, on site and in writing.
• Work closely with Property Caseworkers, Researchers, and Inspectors and wider teams within the Valuation Office.
• Manage your time and work with others to deliver work promptly and accurately. 
• Complete the Level 3 Surveying Technician Apprenticeship.

We are holding three live events on 09/02/2024 at 3pm, 13/02/2024 at 10am and 19/02/2024 at 2pm via Microsoft Teams for candidates to find out about more. Click here to sign up. Please note each event will close for new bookings at 5pm the day before the event. You will receive a joining link to access the event by 09:30am on the day of the event.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Successful candidates will need to: 

• Be committed to undertake and complete the Surveying Technician Level Apprenticeship.
• Have an interest in and desire to learn more about surveying, property and valuation. 
• Be able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing. 
• Be able to work with others to deliver aims and objectives.   
• Have strong organisation skills to manage a diverse workload, delivering to deadlines. 
• Be self-motivated, flexible and prepared to work across a range of duties.  
• Be willing to travel on a regular basis, including potential overnight stays. 

Successful candidates will also need to meet the following qualification requirements by end of August 2024: 

• GCSE Grade C /4 or above or an equivalent Level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics as defined by the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
• During the recruitment process you will need to be able to provide certificates for the above. A statement of results from your exam board will suffice initially if you are awaiting certificates. But you will need to provide certificates when enrolling on the apprenticeship programme.
• Candidates must not already hold a qualification at the same level or above in in the same subject area as the apprenticeship. 
• For the duration of the apprenticeship, candidates can not undertake another qualification at the same time (including other apprenticeships, degrees, sandwich placements and other qualifications)

Successful candidates will also need to meet certain residency requirements. Please see the candidate pack attached below for further details. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £24,330, Valuation Office Agency contributes £6,569 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, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

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:

Online Tests

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test and Caseworker Skills Test. If you successfully pass the tests, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application. Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). The closing date for the tests and the rest of the application is 29th February 2024 @ 23:55. If you fail to complete the whole application before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Personal Statement

In no more than 500 words please provide a personal statement covering the following:

• Describe a building in your local area and what factors might be considered when inspecting and valuing it.
• Explain why you are interested in becoming a Valuation Surveying Technician Apprentice at the VOA.

Refer to the job description, person specification and your own research.

Sift – 05th March 2024 - 18th March 2024. Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change.

We will assess you on your Online Tests, Personal Statement and Qualifications.

Important: At application stage you will be asked to confirm you have, or expect to have by end of August 2024, the qualifications as outlined above. Please note you will be asked to provide copies of your certificates at pre-employment checks stage.

Interviews – 10th April 2024 - 24th April 2024. 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.

Further Information

These posts are advertised on a full time only basis due to the needs of the business and the requirement for candidates to undertake an apprenticeship as part of their role. However those applicants who do or wish to work an alternative working pattern are welcome to apply. The preferred working pattern may or may not be available. You should discuss this with the vacancy holder.

This role can be undertaken at any of our VOA offices in England and you will be asked to select up to two preferred locations as part of your application, you should only select locations that you can commit to working in long term. Details of our office locations can be found at the top of the advert. There will be a merit list per location with the 1st candidate from each list offered a role, starting with the highest scoring individual, until the number of required roles is met.

please be aware that you will be expected to take up duty in the location that you are offered.

Due to the way the CS Jobs system is set up, when choosing your preferred locations, you will find that the Wembley & Canary Wharf location will not appear on the list of options. They are replaced by Harlesden & Tower Hamlets.

Should you wish to choose Wembley as a location then please select Harlesden.

Should you wish to choose Canary Wharf as a location then please select Tower Hamlets.

Please note the Tower Hamlets location is our Canary Wharf location, 10 South Colonnade, E14 4PU.

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

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.

The VOA is an office-based organisation, however as all of our roles have aspects which can be completed from home, all colleagues have the ability to work a hybrid working pattern. The amount that colleagues work from home or office is defined by several factors including the nature of the work they carry out, the needs of their stakeholders, their development needs and personal circumstances such as caring responsibilities. To learn more about the hybrid working arrangements that could be available in this role, please contact the vacancy holder.

Pre-employment Checks

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring 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.

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.

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 voarecruitment.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 an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Terms & Conditions

Voluntary terms apply.

Reserve Lists

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

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 candidates will be expected take up their post on 7 October 2024.

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.

This post is advertised as temporary with the possibility of permanency at Executive Officer grade based on successful completion of this surveying technician apprenticeship.

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.