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Rural Surveyor - North Scotland

Employer
RSPB
Location
Inverness or Edinburgh
Salary
Commensurate with experience
Closing date
14 Nov 2018
Reference
A3230918

View more

Sector
Land, Property
Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Specialism
Conservation, Environment, Estates Management, Rural

Job Details

Rural Surveyor - North Scotland

Reference number: A3230918

Location: Inverness or Edinburgh

Rural Surveyor, based in Inverness or Edinburgh

Looking for a more rewarding challenge in rural land management? RSPB Scotland have an exciting and challenging opportunity for someone who is RICS qualified (or equivalent) who is looking for a long term position, to deliver a first class rural land management service across some of the most amazing and nationally important countryside in Scotland. Within the North Scotland Region, we have 29 nature reserves extending to 43,453ha in stunning locations as varied as the Cairngorms, Caithness, and the Western Isles.

The successful candidate will work half of their time delivering work in North Region, and half of their time across the rest of Scotland (or potentially the role could be split between two individuals on a part-time basis). They will assist with both the management of an extensive rural estate along with delivering major projects, acquisitions and disposals. You will also be required to identify the opportunities to generate additional income from this diverse property portfolio and realise development opportunities.

The role is part of a Scottish Rural Surveying Team who manage a growing and diverse estate of some 78 nature reserves extending to over 72,300ha. The team provides professional support service for all aspects of RSPB Scotland's work involving land and property management, acquisition and disposal of land and buildings including legacies, and supporting the implementation of the risk management programme. Its central objective is to help RSPB Scotland obtain maximum conservation benefit from available resources, whilst managing legal, reputational and financial risk from operations involving land and buildings. Rural Surveyors are empowered to work proactively and dynamically with all relevant parts of RSPB Scotland and should be prepared to meet challenges with imaginative and innovative solutions. 

As someone sharing our commitment to sustainable high quality land management, you'll bring innovative professional thinking to support our aims. You'll share your knowledge, experience and ideas with colleagues, providing professional expertise and advice in all areas of property management, including agricultural and commercial lettings, in addition to all other interests in land and property. 

You'll thrive on negotiating the best deals. You must be prepared to challenge the norm by problem solving and coming up with innovative solutions to the various challenges ahead. You will be comfortable to take a direct approach with colleagues on issues of legal compliance.

You will have a practical knowledge of rural land management, residential property management, and environmental issues including conservation and sustainable development. You will have an up to date understanding of what's happening in the wider world of rural surveying. You will use your knowledge and experience to advise colleagues and support them in the RSPB's objective to create bigger, better and more joined up spaces for nature. You will also be required to identify the opportunities to generate additional income from this diverse property portfolio and realise development opportunities.

If you would like to know more call Kirsty Murdoch, Senior Rural Surveyor for an informal discussion on 01463 228819 or e-mail kirsty.murdoch@rspb.org.uk.

Please send in your application/CV as soon as you are ready - we are actively recruiting and may draw the role to close when suitable applications are received. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. You will be asked to declare unspent convictions and cautions at offer of employment stage.

Please click the 'Apply' button for further information and details on how to apply.

Company

Our work is driven by a passionate belief that we all have a responsibility to protect birds and the environment. Bird populations reflect the health of the planet on which our future depends.

The need for a leading conservation charity has never been greater.  

The RSPB could not exist without its supporters and members. Whether you join us, give a donation, purchase items from us or undertake voluntary work, your support is vital to the future of birds and the places where they live.

How many surveyors currently work for RSPB?

We have a national team of 19 Rural Surveyors and 2 Building Surveyors who between them are responsible for providing professional property advice on over 150,000 hectares across all four countries of the UK and for several million pounds of built estate.

What is it like to work for the RSPB as a surveyor?

Challenging, because to meet RSPB’s ecological requirements, the standard commercial answer isn’t always the right one; and rewarding knowing your contribution will make a difference to saving nature and the public good. Each rural surveyor carries out a wide variety of work, covering a broad range of professional work as per private practice. Specialisms occur but no-one is pigeon-holed.

Why should someone apply to the RSPB?

Because you get to carry out the full range of private practice work on the land of most conservation value, in the most spectacular scenery in the UK and make a professional contribution towards towards overcoming the conservation challenges faced in the rural environment often using groundbreaking techniques. There are targets, objectives and budgets to meet, but you will not have the private practice requirements of time sheets, fee targets or be expected to generate new clients. Nor will you be on-call for tenants. The work undertaken offers you a chance to shine professionally, as well as opportunities to further develop your career and knowledge.

What are the working values at the RSPB?

RSPB’s working values are:

  • Focused – clarity of direction, united around a common purpose
  • Together – power of working together, be open to influence, respect other people, and share power
  • Bold – go for growth, give and take responsibility, be decisive, and be open to new ideas
  • Supportive – everyone matters, all skills of all people, people grow too, and set people up to succeed.

RSPB has 7 core competencies that it expects from all its staff:

  • Direction - You ensure you have a clear direction and sense of common purpose that guides what you do and how you approach your work.
  • Energy - You bring energy and urgency to the RSPB to motivate people to do the best they can.
  • Capability - You build your own and other people’s capabilities, directly and indirectly.
  • Relationships - You communicate effectively and build productive internal and external relationships.
  • Change - You support continuous improvement and change and constantly look for way to do things better.
  • Advocacy - You act as an advocate for the RSPB.
  • Performance - You get things done, achieve ambitious goals and the RSPB’s aims.

The following behaviours are expected of RSPB Rural Surveyors in delivering the competencies:

  • Is prepared to take on new challenges outside their comfort zone.
  • Makes the effort to collaborate with others, even when under pressure.
  • Always assumes positive intentions in others.
  • Listens to other people’s ideas and suggestions.
  • Treat other people as equals.
  • Shares new ideas with colleagues.
  • Is an advocate for what RSPB stands for and is trying to achieve.
  • Understands what is expected of them in their role.
  • Places their main focus on important priorities.
  • Demonstrates accountability for getting things done.

What do they offer? (Eg: Flexible working / Learning and development)

Competitive salary, career performance and development planning, flexible working, start on 26 days holiday plus bank holidays plus a Christmas shutdown for all surveyors, 7% employer contribution to defined contributions pension, life assurance of 5 x basic salary, maternity/paternity/adoption leave, childcare vouchers, sickness pay, employee assistance scheme, staff association, learning and development opportunities with fees paid for those required for CPD, RICS professional subscription fees paid, 1 day volunteering pa, 1 month sabbatical every 5 yrs of service, green loans for season travel tickets or to buy a bicycle, 20% off in RSPB shops.

What do RSPB do that may not be common knowledge?

RSPB surveyors carry out all the work of a private practice surveyor: acquisitions and disposals of land and buildings on the open market, assisting in delivery of in-hand farming operations, farming and livestock subsidy claims, CPO work on national projects, wayleaves, major engineering projects involving major planning applications/EIA/statutory consents, optimising financial returns from and diversifying income on the RSPB Estate eg solar, wind and hydro schemes, yurts and glamping.

Our buildings have won regional RICS building awards and shortlisted for RIBA Sterling Award. RSPB habitat projects have won regional RICS awards and Constructing Excellence National Award for sustainability.

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