Building Surveyor

Job Title:                               Building Surveyor (x2 positions)

Department:                         Estates and Facilities Directorate

                                               Estates Operations

Grade:                                   Grade 7

Salary range:                        £35,333 - £42,155 per annum, with the potential of a market supplement

Working arrangements:      Permanent

                                               Full Time (nominal 35 hours)

                                               Hybrid Working (minimum of 2 days onsite per week, depending on business needs)

Closing date:                        Sunday 26th February 2023

These vacancies are new positions within the Estates and Facilities Structure, to support the delivery of an ambitious programme of works, to deliver a new estate; supporting the University’s overarching strategy, with the design and construction of new teaching, leisure and accommodation facilities, alongside the repair and refurbishments to the existing infrastructure and buildings. 

The University 

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.  We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.

Further information about the University can be found here .

The Role and Department

As one of our Building Surveyors, you will provide a professional effective and efficient building surveying and reactive, cyclical and planned preventative maintenance service utilising in-house, contract staff and external contractors.

It is an exciting time to join the Estates and Facilities Directorate, as we are currently delivering an ambitious programme of works, to deliver a new estate; supporting the University’s overarching strategy, with the design and construction of new teaching, leisure and accommodation facilities, alongside the repair and refurbishments to the existing infrastructure and buildings.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University, you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 30 Days annual leave, in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme.  As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS) which the University will add contributions of 21.4%.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.   At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.  It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.  We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above.

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online.  We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What you need to submit

• A CV
• A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

Contact details

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Michael Crinnion, Head of Asset Maintenance, [email protected] .

Further information about the role

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

• Provide management for the delivery of high-quality estates buildings and infrastructure planned and reactive maintenance across the University; ensuring that all operational activities are carried out in a structure, professional and customer-focussed manner, delivering value of money services.
• Implement changes to the design and development of building service processes, techniques and deliverables for one or more service strands or project streams.
• Carry out building surveys and provide specialist expertise and support with complex building data and information sources, interpretation and analysis, making recommendations on actions to be taken.
• Manage minor works projects from inception to completion, providing cost estimates, where appropriate.
• Ensure that adequate contractor control and health and safety procedures are in place and monitored to ensure compliance.
• Provide regular status reports and identify risk management and contingency planning to other service staff, specialists, users and managers. 
• Take responsibility for monitoring and updating risk assessments and safety procedures, providing guidance to others where necessary. 
• Responsible for managing budgets for consumables and some capital items, keeping records and processing invoices.  
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

Planning and Organising

• Make decisions about the nature and level of problem solving, physical and analytical tools, techniques and protocols to deliver project and service objectives, providing advice and making recommendations for resolution, as appropriate.
• Prioritise, schedule and monitor maintenance and installation works, projects and work streams across the University.
• Collaborate with other specialists within the Service and across the University, regarding the use of modelling and analytical tools, methods and standards to deliver integrity and consistency with service delivery. 
• Collect and analyse stakeholder feedback to help define needs and requirements and the design and planning of services. 

• Develop, modify and optimise protocols and methodologies; keeping up-to-date with changes to legislation, codes of practice and best practice and introduce measure to ensure compliance.

Teamwork/Networking/Stakeholders

• Promote and foster positive and highly collaborative approaches to problem solving and project implementation, helping to motivate, mentor and coach project team members. 
• Contribute to development of operational service activities to ensure excellence in the stakeholder experience. 

• Act as a point of contact for service colleagues and stakeholders to interpret and resolve complex infrastructure, architecture and technical problems; ensuring the University’s asset management information is up-to-date and accurate.

• Internal and external relationship development and partnership working, networking and participation to engage and influence future services and the University reputation. 
• Contribute to and lead business meetings, working groups and sub-committees at departmental and operational service levels. 
• Liaise with internal and external agencies, local authorities, industries and visitors, where appropriate. 

Knowledge and Experience

• Recognised professional practitioner and service specialist, providing excellent building-related advice. 
• Maintain an awareness of current policy for University business goals such as widening participation and access, and provision of advice using specialist knowledge. 
• May be required to work evenings and weekends, as business demands.
• There may be a requirement for the post-holder to participate in local on-call arrangements, as relevant to this role.
• Attend all training and CPD, as required.
• Ability to travel independently around the University estate.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement , which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria 

Desirable Criteria