Building Surveyor

Canterbury City Council; Canterbury; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Registration fees covered (RICS, CABE,

Flexible working

Local government pension scheme

23 days annual leave rising to 28

Park and Ride access

Job summary

Canterbury City Council is seeking an experienced Building Surveyor to join our Professional Services Team in Canterbury, Kent. The role focuses on managing a diverse property portfolio, from repairs to major capital works, ensuring buildings are safe, compliant and fit for purpose.

You will lead surveying duties, provide expert advice, manage contracts and coordinate with legal, planning and housing teams.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education in a relevant discipline.
• Membership of a recognised professional body such as RICS, CABE or CIOB.
• Strong knowledge of building construction, building pathology and defect diagnosis.
• Experience preparing specifications and managing projects under JCT contracts.
• Good understanding of contract management, building regulations and planning processes.
• Experience producing reports and presenting technical information to a range of stakeholders.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Experience of social housing disrepair cases and expert witness work.
• Knowledge of historic buildings, dilapidations and party wall matters.
• Experience using CAD software.
• Expert witness training.

Responsibilities

• Leading building projects, including specification writing, procurement, contract administration, budget management and obtaining statutory consents.
• Carrying out inspections and surveys of council-owned and leased properties, including condition surveys, repairs, alterations and improvements.
• Providing expert professional advice on building defects, refurbishment projects, disrepair matters and property maintenance issues.
• Managing contractors, consultants and other resources to ensure projects are delivered safely and efficiently.
• Acting as the Council's lead contact for insurance claims, disrepair claims and related legal matters, working closely with legal colleagues where required.
• Preparing specifications, schedules of work, dilapidation reports, condition surveys and damage reports.
• Obtaining statutory permissions and grant-aid funding where applicable prior to works
• Ensuring our legal liabilities are fully met and attain best value for the Council
• Maintaining accurate asset records and contributing to budgeting, maintenance planning and works programming.
• Ensuring compliance with procurement regulations, contract standing orders, CDM Regulations, health and safety legislation and relevant building standards.
• Undertaking party wall matters, defect diagnosis, contract management and general building surveying duties.

Skills

Project management

Contract management

Building pathology

Report writing

Excellent communication

CAD software

Driving licence

Team collaboration

Education

Degree-level education

Membership of professional body (RICS/CABE/CIOB)

Tools

CAD software

Job description

A fantastic Building Surveyor job opportunity in Canterbury, Kent.

Canterbury City Council is looking for an experienced and motivated Building Surveyor to join our Professional Services Team.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the management, maintenance and improvement of a diverse property portfolio. You will work in a team on a wide range of projects, from repairs and refurbishments through to major capital works, ensuring our buildings remain safe, compliant, sustainable and fit for purpose.

What’s in it for you?

As a Building Surveyor at Canterbury City Council, you’ll enjoy:

• A starting salary of £48,963.69 - £55,048.77


• Flexible working arrangements that support and encourage a good work-life balance.


• We’ll cover your relevant Professional Registration Fees for you (eg, RICS, CABE, CIOB)


• We’ll support and encourage your career by providing excellent opportunities for training and development.


• Generous annual leave entitlement, starting at 23 days (increasing to 28) PLUS 3 additional days over the Christmas period whilst the Council offices are closed.


• We do not work on Bank Holidays.


• A fantastic local government pension scheme.


• Employee perks, including multiple retailer and lifestyle discounts to tackle the cost of living and help you enjoy your free time.


• Free use of Canterbury’s Park and Ride for an easier commute.

About this Building Surveyor opportunity in Canterbury:

As part of a team of Building Surveyors, you will undertake a wide range of building surveying duties , providing high quality, expert advice to other departments or teams on building and building envelope related issues including refurbishment, disrepairs and capital projects.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading building projects, including specification writing, procurement, contract administration, budget management and obtaining statutory consents.


• Carrying out inspections and surveys of council-owned and leased properties, including condition surveys, repairs, alterations and improvements.


• Providing expert professional advice on building defects, refurbishment projects, disrepair matters and property maintenance issues.


• Managing contractors, consultants and other resources to ensure projects are delivered safely and efficiently.


• Acting as the Council's lead contact for insurance claims, disrepair claims and related legal matters, working closely with legal colleagues where required.


• Preparing specifications, schedules of work, dilapidation reports, condition surveys and damage reports.


• Obtaining statutory permissions and grant-aid funding where applicable prior to works


• Ensuring our legal liabilities are fully met and attain best value for the Council


• Maintaining accurate asset records and contributing to budgeting, maintenance planning and works programming.


• Ensuring compliance with procurement regulations, contract standing orders, CDM Regulations, health and safety legislation and relevant building standards.


• Undertaking party wall matters, defect diagnosis, contract management and general building surveying duties.

Working pattern of our Building Surveyors:

• Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.


• 37 hours per week.


• Permanent full-time contract.


• A full week off over Christmas! Plus 23 days of annual leave to use throughout the rest of the year, increasing to 28 days after 5 years of service.

This role will be primarily home based with site visits and meetings at the council offices/hubs and contractors' offices when required. Access to an office space is available if preferred or wherever appropriate.

About you, the ideal Building Surveyor for Canterbury City Council:

You will have:

• Degree-level education in a relevant discipline.


• Membership of a recognised professional body such as RICS, CABE or CIOB.


• Strong knowledge of building construction, building pathology and defect diagnosis.


• Experience preparing specifications and managing projects under JCT contracts.


• Good understanding of contract management, building regulations and planning processes.


• Experience producing reports and presenting technical information to a range of stakeholders.


• The ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities effectively.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle.


• Experience of social housing disrepair cases and expert witness work.


• Knowledge of historic buildings, dilapidations and party wall matters.


• Experience using CAD software.


• Expert witness training.

Please note that this role does require us to undertake a basic DBS check should we offer you the job.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at Canterbury City Council.

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity in everything we do. We provide a safe and welcoming environment where everyone is valued, included and respected.

Our diversity strengthens our ability to serve the diverse communities we support through our work.

To demonstrate this through our actions, all applications are anonymised for the shortlisting panel, allowing all applicants to be assessed on merit alone.

Site maintenance is being carried out and may be unavailable on 22 August and 19 September 2026 between the hours of 00:00 – 12:00.