Leeds City Council manages approximately 54,000 Council properties, we deliver services to a diverse community and work in close partnership with agencies and organisations in the city.

We are looking to recruit a Technical Officer to join a busy Stock Condition Team, surveying properties across the city.

This role is required to assess the age and condition of both the outside and inside of the properties, looking in particular at windows, doors, kitchens and bathrooms, as well as the energy efficiency of the properties.

You should have experience in a surveying role.  You should have a good grasp of different building materials and techniques, along with knowledge of when certain types of materials came into use.  You should have good knowledge of traditional and non-traditional construction types.  A previous trade background would be an advantage.

This post will be based at the Print Unit, in the Seacroft area of Leeds, however there will be significant lone working involved across the whole city.

The working pattern is 37 hours per week on a Monday to Friday flexitime basis, however meeting our customer’s needs may require attending appointments outside of the 9 to 5.

This comes with an exciting leave package consisting of 26 days plus 5 days for 5 years local government service pro rata plus statutory holidays.

For more information on this role please contact Andy Lund on 0113 378 1116.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK  - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Leeds City Council Job Description

Purpose of the job:

• Undertake inspections to council assets in order to collect asset related information, determine stock condition and identify, diagnose, and develop solutions to building related issues in-line with internal policies and procedures.
• Raise orders & develop schedules / programmes of work appropriate to specific work streams in order to address ad-hoc problems/situations (including adaptation referrals and reports) and to deliver planned programmes of work in-line with investment needs and the council’s asset management strategy and internal policies and procedures. Ensure that work is correctly categorised and prioritised.
• Provide day to day contract liaison and effective communication and correspondence between customers, council staff, external agencies and contractors / supply partners and proactively develop efficient and cost effective solutions to problems.
• Monitor the delivery of work including the appropriate on-site supervision of contractors and supply partners, to ensure that delivery is achieved in a customer focused way, safely, to acceptable standards and charged accordingly in-line with the contract/supply agreement.
• Provide technical advice and support to frontline delivery teams and assist in monitoring the appropriateness of works ordered.

The post-holder will be required to work flexibly and could be deployed  in a number of areas within Property and Contracts, including:

• Major Projects
• Elemental Works
• Responsive and Planned
• Voids
• Adaptation
• Stock Condition
• Procurement

Principal Responsibilities:

• Frontline delivery of the service and collection of asset related information in-line with council and departmental performance standards, values, policies and priorities.
• Carry out detailed repair inspections using recognised surveying methodology and appropriate survey equipment in order to determine condition and identify cost effective solutions to remedy defects. The post holder must be competent in the diagnosis of damp related defects and be able to specify a range of appropriate solutions.
• Manage all activities in compliance with legal, regulatory, contract and internal requirements. 
• Support the delivery of service plans in-line with council objectives in order to achieve excellence.
• Continually drive a value for money, customer focussed service.
• Take ownership for operational issues and manage relationships with all stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
• Ensure the ordering and delivery of works within individual delegated budgets and agreed budget profiles, including the prioritisation and planning of work.
• Take accountability for the outputs of all duties
• Please note this is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities.

Relationships: The post holder will work closely with colleagues within Housing Leeds and will also be required to maintain effective relationships with staff at all levels within the Directorate, other Council departments, Elected Members, external agencies and the general public.

Physical Conditions The post holder may be based at any Leeds City Council or partner organisation office and may require working to the Council’s ‘changing the workplace’ working style. The post holder may be based at any Leeds City Council office and may require working to the Council’s ‘changing the workplace’ working style. This may include colocation as appropriate with internal and external supply partners. Leeds City Council has a no smoking policy.

Car Use Allowances – This post requires the holder to hold a current drivers licence and have access to a car for business use. If this post holder or post meets the criteria for essential car user status the corresponding allowance plus mileage will be paid whilst the post holder provides and maintains a vehicle for business use. Casual car user mileage is payable in accordance with local conditions of service.

Prior to the Interview we will request your References. Failure to obtain both references will result in your interview being withdrawn.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:  Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.

Qualifications and Knowledge

• HND/HNC  Level qualification in Building / Construction or equivalent experience within the construction industry,
• Strong knowledge of building defects / construction/ Building Maintenance techniques
• Strong knowledge of landlord’s responsibilities in relation to repairs & maintenance
• Strong knowledge safe construction Health & Safety requirements

Specific Skills and Competencies

• Able to use a range of standard surveying equipment to enable accurate diagnosis of damp related defects
• Able to plan and organise own workload in a busy environment
• Ability to diagnose and develop solutions to technical repair problems including damp related issues
• Understands modern construction techniques.
• Developing and maintaining working relationships with suppliers and staff,
• Able to assess building related hazards through a standard risk assessment procedure and prioritize follow on actions accordingly
• Experience of using Microsoft packages to record and present service information.
• Experience of using asset management IT systems
• To contribute to delivering a team culture that is focussed both on customers and quality
• Experience of managing small to medium construction projects
• Able to develop timely and cost effective solutions to operational problems
• Able to negotiate on day to day operational issues with suppliers in order to develop favourable outcomes for the council and for customers

Experience

• Experience of carrying out technical officer / surveying duties in an asset management related service area
• Experience of day to day contract liaison as part of the contract management procedures of construction contracts
• Experience of working jointly with staff and contractors from different teams/organisations in order to achieve common goals.
• Experience of managing construction/repair related programmes of work within defined budgets

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:  Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Qualifications and Knowledge

Membership of a professional body i.e. RICS building surveying

Up to date knowledge of social housing and issues affecting the sector

Understand standard forms of building contracts

Specific Skills and Competencies

Produce clear and concise, basic reports in relation to the service in a timely and accurate manner.

Experience

Experience of working within social housing

A previous trade background

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