Chartered Building Surveyor

Building Surveyor – Isles of Scilly

The Duchy of Cornwall is a dynamic future- focused landed estate dedicated to creating positive impact for people, places and the planet. We're passionate about creating transformative change for the communities we serve by building healthy, environmentally sustainable communities and supporting a thriving planet to build a better future together.

Job Overview

Reporting to the Deputy Head of Building, the successful candidate will join a small team of professionals responsible for the delivery of building maintenance, refurbishment, and new build projects across the Duchy of Cornwall's diverse rural portfolio, based in our Isles of Scilly Estate.

Responsibilities

• Undertake condition surveys of existing buildings for planned preventative maintenance, landlord inspections, and defect analysis, producing internally distributed reports for colleagues and stakeholders.

• Work closely with the Works Department, liaising on maintenance, refurbishment, and project delivery to ensure coordinated and effective management of the estate's properties.

• Investigate and resolve minor building defects and issues, maintaining effective communication with tenants to ensure successful resolution.

• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and legislation, e.g., implementing thermal upgrade works to residential properties to meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.

• Instruct, coordinate, and manage the quinquennial external overhaul programme.

• Instruct and coordinate the reactive maintenance programme, preparing specifications and instructing external contractors for works to residential and commercial buildings and estate roads, and marine infrastructure.

• Prepare full design and specification packages for large-scale repair projects, including structural repairs. 
• Design and specify minor improvement projects to enhance estate buildings for tenants, including heating upgrades, kitchen and bathroom refurbishments, and replacement or overhauls of windows and doors.

• Design and specify residential refurbishment projects, reconfigurations, and thermal improvements using sustainable and sympathetic materials.

• Prepare feasibility reports, including budget costs and option appraisals, to support strategic decision-making.

• Prepare budgets for works programmes, manage and approve contractor/supplier invoices, and control project costs to ensure works are delivered on budget.

• Prepare drawings for planning and tender purposes, typically using AutoCAD LT.

• Act as Contract Administrator on behalf of the Duchy of Cornwall, including preparing and managing tender packages, undertaking tender analysis, and providing recommendations.

• Prepare and administer contracts, typically using the JCT suite, including financial valuations, variations, and change control.

• Act as CDM Principal Designer or other CDM roles as applicable.

• Ensure all works comply with Health & Safety and statutory regulations.

• Obtain all necessary statutory approvals, including Planning, Listed Building Consent, Building Regulations Approval, and Ecology licenses.

• Undertake progress and quality management by inspecting works on site, resolving issues, and signing off completion with contractors.

• Maintain regular communication with tenants, providing updates on minor issues and larger

Location and Commitments

• Location: Hugh House, St Mary's. This role also requires frequent travel by boat to off-islands, including St Martin's, Bryher and St Agnes.

• Contract type: Full-time, 35 hours per week, permanent

• Salary: £42,000 - £44,000

What you'll bring

• Educated to degree level or equivalent through knowledge and experience, and likely to be a qualified chartered member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (or similar).

• Experience of reactive and planned maintenance and refurbishment works.

• Thorough understanding of Health & Safety legislation applicable to construction.

• Experience and understanding of acting as Designer and Principal Designer under the CDM Regulations.

• Strong building defects knowledge and experience, particularly relating to traditional property.

• Knowledge and experience of sympathetic repairs and refurbishment to traditional and historic buildings, including those with heritage status.

• Good working knowledge of AutoCAD LT.

• Knowledge of NBS Chorus

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.

• Detailed understanding of Planning, Listed Building, and Building Regulations applications.

• Proven experience of managing construction projects under contract (JCT Minor Works and Intermediate), including budgeting and financial control.

Overall, you are discrete, organised, and professional, able to build positive working relationships with tenants, contractors, the public, and industry professionals. You are precise and accurate, with good self-checking, open to discussion and development, and self-directed yet collaborative.

A strong empathy with the objectives and policies of the Duchy of Cornwall is essential.

Managing a let property portfolio on a group of islands brings unique challenges. We're looking for someone who thrives on problem-solving and enjoys working collaboratively in a small, supportive team.

What's in it for you

• 28 days holiday, plus 8 days of bank holiday

• 12% non-contributory pension scheme

• Death In Service Benefit of 4 x annual salary

• Well-being benefits

• Supportive, people-first culture