About the job

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

Role Overview

We are looking for people with great potential, eager to start a new career with our fully funded MSc Chartered Minerals Surveyor Apprenticeship Programme. You would join our dedicated Built Environment and Minerals (BEAMS) team of specialist Chartered Surveyors.  You would also be part of a wider network of trainee surveyors across the wider Valuation Office Agency.

 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 the programme.

 Key responsibilities

You will begin the programme by focusing on the following activities:

• Desk-based research on minerals and waste property data, construction costs and technologies.
• Prepare standard schedules and templates for contractor’s basis valuations on internal systems.
• Work in a team of surveyors to deliver operationally.
• Carry out data and business management activities to support senior management.
• Complete the first year of an MSc in Real Estate.

During the last two years of the programme, you will finish your MSc in Real Estate and work towards the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) to become a Chartered Surveyor. During this time, you will:

• Inspect a variety of minerals and waste properties for non-domestic rating purposes.
• Provide minerals and waste valuation and property advice to support taxation and benefits to the government and local authorities in England and Wales.
• Provide independent, impartial, minerals and waste valuation and property advice across the entire public sector, and where public money or public functions are involved.
• Undertake short external secondment(s) to gain wider experience required for your APC.

We are holding a live event on 7th August 2024 at 11:00am (allow 1 hour) via Microsoft Teams for candidates to find out about more. Click here to sign up.

Please note each event will close for new bookings after 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

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic and self-motivated, with a willingness to learn, and who relishes a challenge.  The successful candidate will be committed to completing this development programme, becoming an expert in minerals property and valuation and building a career as a Chartered Minerals Surveyor.

Essential Criteria

Successful candidates will need to:

• Communicate complex information effectively to others, both verbally and in writing.
• Have strong analytical skills to inform decision-making and provide advice to others.
• Be able to work effectively independently and as part of a team to meet deadlines.
• Have good time management, problem-solving and organisational skills.
• Have strong I.T skills with experience using Microsoft Office 365 including Excel and Word.
• Be willing to travel on a regular basis, including potential overnight stays.
• Hold a full UK / EU Driving Licence – A Provisional licence is accepted at time of application however a FULL licence must be attained and evidenced within 6 months of take up date.
• Candidates must not already hold a qualification at the same level or above in in the same subject area as the apprenticeship.

Successful candidates will 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) in England
• And an honours degree in a non-property related subject at 2:2 or above.
• During the recruitment process you will need to be able to provide certificates for the above. A statement of results or transcript from your university/exam board will suffice initially if you are awaiting certificates. But you will need to provide certificates when enrolling with our academic training provider.
• Candidates must not already hold a qualification at the same level or above in in the same subject area as the training programme.
• For the duration of the programme, 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. 

Please note that candidates who do not meet the qualifications are not eligible to apply.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,360, Valuation Office Agency contributes £7,657 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:

• After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test and a Casework Skills Test.
• A Personal Statement - Referring to the Person Specification and the Essential Criteria, no more than 500 words please provide a personal statement outlining your suitability for the role.

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 is 23.55 on 1st September 2024. If you fail to complete the online test 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.

Sift - 3rd – 6th September 2024 

Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change. 

• We will assess you on your Personal Statement, Numerical Reasoning Test and Casework Skills Test.

 Interviews - W/C 23rd September 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, presentation 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.

 Presentation

• You will also be required to conduct a 5-minute presentation. Information on the presentation topic will be provided to you if you are shortlisted for interview. This will be followed by a 5 minute Q&A.

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

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.

Whilst we try take personal circumstances into account wherever possible, successful candidates must be willing and able to work at least 30 hours per week to meet the requirements of the programme.

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.

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) and 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.

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.

Contract length - 50 Months. The vacancy is temporary with the possibility of permanency at Executive Officer grade based on successful completion of this surveying 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.