Property Inspector - District Valuer Services

Government Recruitment Service; Folkestone; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector agency in the UK seeks a Property Inspector to join the Department for Education's Net Capacity Assessment Programme. The role involves inspecting primary schools to gather high-quality data regarding room sizes and usage. Candidates should be highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently. The position requires significant travel and operates under a hybrid working model, with three days in the office weekly, ensuring flexibility and accountability. Full training is provided to ensure success in the role.

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar inspection role is beneficial.
• Able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable with physical tasks and long periods of site inspection.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections and measurements of primary schools.
• Organize and manage inspections independently.
• Capture accurate data using specialized software.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Independence

Ability to use Microsoft 365

Data quality assurance

Tools

Bespoke IT software

iPads

iPhones

Job description

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. 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.

Property Inspector (Schools) – Role Overview

The Valuation Office Agency have an exciting opportunity for you to join the Department for Education Net Capacity Assessment (NCA) Programme in England. We currently have one position available in each of the advertised locations.

As a Property Inspector you will be responsible for inspecting and measuring a broad range of primary schools and capturing high-quality and consistent data to inform the programme. Your work will involve recording precise information such as room sizes and gathering information on how spaces are used, following a clear approach provided by the Department for Education. Full training will be provided to ensure you are confident in applying these standards.

A typical week will include inspecting two schools, with the remaining time dedicated to arranging future appointments and writing up your reports. Each inspection usually takes one day, and you will receive a list of schools every three months, giving you the flexibility to manage your own calendar. The VOA operates a hybrid working policy, requiring three days in the office per week, but inspection days will count towards this requirement.

The role involves significant travel, generally within an hour of your office or home location, although some schools may require longer journeys. Flexibility is essential to meet the needs of this national programme. It is also a physically demanding position, with long periods of inspecting school sites and carrying the necessary equipment.

If you are highly organised, detail-oriented, and enjoy working independently in a fast-paced environment, this is an excellent opportunity to make a real impact.

Property Inspector – Key responsibilities

• Undertaking regular inspection and measurement work as allocated by the Team Manager.
• Organising and arranging inspections in three-month blocks; independently and effectively managing your calendar whilst balancing workload, leave and personal commitments.
• Capturing accurate measurement data on-site using bespoke IT software.
• Using Microsoft 365 programs, iPads and iPhones to record accurate inspection data.
• Accurately determining the property’s key attributes in line with Net Capacity Methodology.
• Engaging with data quality assurance processes ensuring consistent and reliable data.
• Undertaking basic peer review quality control checks for colleagues.
• Engaging effectively with all stakeholders including individual schools, representing the NCA programme consistently and professionally.
• Undertaking inspections independently for most primary schools and potentially with a fellow inspector for larger schools.
• Being accountable for decisions that are taken within guidelines and under the technical leadership of the Team Manager and Project Lead.
• Logging daily activities to ensure accurate invoicing to the client.
• Achieving key programme milestones.