Location

Lancaster, Preston

Job summary

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is an executive Government agency and part of Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Our 4,000 talented people are the public sector’s property valuation experts and advisors. Our valuations for tax purposes fund vital public services like schools, hospitals and welfare. Our work is fast paced and interesting. This is an excellent opportunity to join our highly skilled and diverse organisation.

Successful applicants will work within a Regional Valuation Unit and can be deployed to work across a range of Non-Domestic Rating, Council Tax and Rent Officer Functions.

Job description

We are looking for talented individuals eager to start a new career with our fully-funded Level 3 Surveying Technician 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. This will include:

• Undertaking property inspections, including on site measurement of areas and collation of detail relevant to the assessment of value. You will also produce and record digital surveys.
• Using your research and analytical skills to interpret information and make judgements to make evidence-based decisions on a range of cases across the three business areas. Work within current legislation and organisational policy and guidelines.
• Valuing properties for Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rating, Rent Officer Functions or District Valuer Services, prepare case notes and deciding outcomes within set guidelines and supervision.
• Research and assess casework.
• Direct contact with ratepayers/taxpayers and agents by phone or email.
• Inputting and downloading of data into our computer systems.
• Build relationships by working closely with Property Caseworkers, Researchers, and Inspectors and wider teams within the Valuation Office.
• Be accountable for decisions made, work with others and manage your time to ensure work is delivered promptly and accurately.

As part of your job you will be required to complete a high-quality programme of learning and assessments to achieve:

• Level 3 Surveying Diploma
• RICS Associate Qualification (AssocRICS)
• Surveying Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and find out more via a Microsoft Teams Event on 20 December 2022 at 13:00. Click here to book a ticket. Please note ticket booking for this event will close at midnight the day before the event.  

Please read the attached candidate pack for full details on the role, benefits and how to apply. 

Person specification

The successful candidate will have:

Understanding of and ability to apply technology to achieve efficient and effective business and personal results.

Capacity to take the initiative and suggest ideas for business improvements, developing networks and to share feedback with others in a constructive manner.

Essential Requirements

•  Be committed to undertake and complete the Surveying Technician Level 3 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.
•  Able to work with others to deliver aims and objectives.
•  Strong organisational skills to manage a diverse workload, delivering to deadlines.
•  Self-motivated, flexible and prepared to work across a range of duties in a team environment.
•  Willingness to travel on a regular basis, including potential overnight stays.
•  Able to meet the qualifications and residency requirements set out below.

Qualifications 

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.

IMPORTANT: At application stage you will be asked to confirm you have Maths and English qualifications as outlined above.

Please note you will be asked to provide copies of your certificates at pre-employment checks stage.
Candidates who cannot provide copies of certificates when requested will not be offered a position – we are unable to make exceptions on this.

In addition to the above, to be eligible for this role:

• 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 cannot undertake any other formal qualifications at the same time.
• Candidates must not be undertaking another apprenticeship, or undertake any part of an apprenticeship whilst on a sandwich placement as part of a degree programme.

Desirable Requirements 

• Be customer focused and have strong customer service skills.
• Have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

Licences

Driving Licence

Qualifications

GCSE English and Maths or equivalent

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• At interview candidates will undertake a Technical discussion. This will be an opportunity for candidates to build on the evidence provided in the personal statement at application stage to demonstrate their suitability for the role.

Benefits

We offer a range of flexible working options, a generous leave allowance that starts at 25 days and goes up to 30 days after 5 years’ service and a Civil Service Pension. Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid, and paternity leave of 4 weeks at full pay.

The most popular parts of our reward package include: 

• Pay – in the few years, we have increased both the minimum and maximum pay points for everyone in the VOA.
• Pension - we make contributions to our colleagues’ Alpha pension equal to at least 26% of their salary. 
• Working hours and location flexibility – everyone in the VOA has some opportunity to work from home, and we support a full range of flexible working options including part time, part year, compressed hours and job shares. 
• Family friendly policies – including four weeks of paid paternity leave. 
• Personal support – we offer extensive special leave to help balance your life and work commitments, a variety of non-financial rewards (including a Cycle to Work scheme of up to £4000) and we work with professional providers to provide occupational health and full mental and physical wellbeing services. 

Download the Employee Value Proposition for full details of the benefits of being a VOA employee at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/valuation-office-agency/about/recruitment

Apply

For further information and details on how to apply, click the 'Apply' button.