Location

Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Stoke-on-Trent

About the job

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.

Licences

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. 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.

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
• An honours degree in a non-property related subject at 2:2 or above.

Behaviours

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

• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

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.

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 with an average employer contribution of 27%. 

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• Family friendly policies including 26 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption or shared parental leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme offering comprehensive wellbeing support.
• To learn more about the extensive benefits we can offer you as a VOA employee please download our Benefits Booklet: VOA_benefits_booklet.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

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