Estates Surveyor

Salary £34,879 per annum, pro-rata for part time.

Benefits include lease car and a generous benefits package Job Ref: 10944

Full Time, permanent vacancy in Norwich

The role

Due to recent internal movement and promotion, we have an opportunity available for an Estates Surveyor based in our Norwich office.

As an Estates Surveyor you’ll be an integral part of the Estates Service working directly with our Project Support Officers, Assistant Estates Surveyors and Senior Estates Surveyors across East Anglia. You’ll hold an RICS qualification with a background in estate management (rural or commercial) and/or experience of compulsory purchase matters.

Working as an Estates Surveyor in the Environment Agency will mean that the environment will be at the heart of everything you do: your work will ensure that we maximise the benefit of our financial spend and drive forward positive environmental outcomes for our local communities. Whilst working in this role, you’ll be involved in a wide variety of surveying work. Your days will be varied and interesting whilst building your knowledge and experience. There will be opportunities for you to get involved in the land and compensation elements of some large construction projects – in both urban and rural settings. This will afford you the opportunity to use and develop your influencing skills to acquire land, or interests across land, as part of our National Flood Risk, and Operational Project programmes. Our projects range from large flood alleviation schemes to fish passes; lease surrenders and dilapidations to acquisition of compensatory habitat. Our surveyors agree compensation and values for all types of land and property – from farmland to mussel beds.

The Environment Agency is the owner of a very large and diverse land portfolio. We also have extensive tenanted holdings. As an Estates Surveyor in the Eastern Region, you’ll be responsible for managing the various interests that we hold to achieve our Corporate objectives.

For those interested, there will be the opportunity to mentor other team members, particularly those progressing towards full RICS membership.

You’ll be expected to visit remote field sites around your work area. You’ll need a willingness to travel, and a full and valid UK driving licence is essential. A lease car is provided with this role.

About you

You’ll hold an appropriate RICS qualification (AssocRICS, MRICS or FRICS) with experience in estate management and/ or compulsory purchase with a proven track record of delivering results on time in a pressurised environment. Your experience will include managing a diverse land and property portfolio, including commercial and rural property management. You’ll also have experience of valuation, landlord and tenant, planning and valuation with a view to providing sustainable management and deliver best practice. Ideally, you’ll have experience of compulsory purchase or the use and exercise of statutory powers and the legislation and procedures that go with it. You’ll be able to provide advice on land and compensation matters to minimise risks and compensation liabilities.

As a confident negotiator, you’ll be able to secure access to land and acquire appropriate interests. You’ll also be familiar with making or agreeing compensation claims.

With an up-to-date knowledge of current legislation and best practice, you’re able to support other members of the team and provide advice on surveying matters. You’re an enthusiastic communicator with good networking skills, building strong networks and influencing a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders for the effective resolution of issues. You’ll be adept at balancing and prioritising a varied workload to ensure that tasks are achieved on time.

About us

The Environment Agency operates at the place where environmental change has its greatest impact - on people’s lives. We reduce the risks to people and properties from flooding; make sure there is enough water for people and wildlife; protect and improve air, land and water quality and apply the environmental standards within which industry can operate. From regulating major industry to improving water quality, from reducing pollution incidents to the regulation of waste management activities, it’s our job to create a better place for people and wildlife.

The Estates Service offers professional support for a variety of Environment Agency teams. Our advice covers land, property, compensation and valuation matters. Our experienced Chartered Surveyors specialise in negotiating access to sites so that our frontline colleagues can do their vital work. We deal with compensation claims from land and property owners where they have suffered loss as a consequence of the Environment Agency's work. We also manage the Environment Agency's own landholdings and provide a comprehensive valuation service.

Diversity: it’s in our Nature

We are passionate about employing people from all backgrounds that reflect the diverse communities we serve. We aspire to be the best employer in the country for equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and want all our staff to feel valued and respected and to see this as a great place to work. From our EDI executive champions to our EDI employee networks, everyone has a part to play to embed equality, diversity and inclusion in our organisation. Diversity: it’s in our nature. Help us make a difference in an organisation that embraces difference and values everyone.

We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working patterns, including job share. Please highlight any information regarding preferred flexible working arrangements on your application.

The rewards

As well as the opportunity to grow and expand your career whilst making a real difference to the environment, you can look forward to a competitive package with a range of benefits. These include:

• A generous career average pension scheme (18.5% contributions from us);
• Holiday allowance related to grade and length of service, rising from 27 days to 30 days per year, plus 8 statutory public and bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time employees);
• Generous enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave schemes;
• Leave for examinations, approved studies, public duties, special/reserve forces, environmental work, trade union representatives and health and safety representatives;
• A range of flexible working options, including flexi-time - these depend on business needs, but our aim is to help you achieve a positive work-life balance;
• Occupational health benefits, including counselling and advisory service, eye care service and access to our employee assistance service;
• Interest free loans for season tickets and/or bicycles and safety equipment;
• Childcare vouchers scheme;
• Subsidised sports and social clubs;
• Up to two days paid environmental outcome days each year. These give you the opportunity to take part in community activities with a clear environmental outcome for people and wildlife;
• Other rewards, including shopping, leisure, fitness, finance and travel benefits and discounts;
• Continuous service - We recognise employment service from organisations that are included in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government, etc) (Modification) Order 1999 as amended. Otherwise known as the Modification Order.

If you currently work for one of these organisations your service with them will be recognised with us. We’ll support your continued personal and professional development too.

Apply

For more information about this role, the Estates team and the Environment Agency, you can download the Candidate Information Pack.

If you have any further enquiries about this role, please contact the Estates Recruitment team: RecruitmentEstates@environment-agency.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 2 July 2019.  We expect to hold interviews mid to late July 2019.