Housing Stock Condition Surveyor - AR

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Main Purpose of Job

The Royal Borough of Kingston's vision is that it has a national reputation as one of the very best places to live and work. The post holder will have a major contribution to make to the delivery of the Council's strategic priorities by contributing to the effective planned and responsive repairs and maintenance of RBK Housing and Garage stock.

The position of Stock Condition Surveyor will undertake a variety of Stock Condition Surveys pertaining to the effective management of dwellings, communal areas, garages and void properties. The post will be dexterous such that the post holders are able to apply their experience, skills and abilities to any of the following activities.

• Delivery of repairs to HRA dwellings
• Delivery of repairs to HRA communal areas
• Delivery of repairs to garages
• Delivery of Aids and Adaptations works
• Delivery of Health & Safety Estate Inspections
• Accurate systematic diagnosis of causes and remedial works for dealing with damp and mould including wide range of diagnostic skills

Main Responsibilities / Duties of Job Communications

• Seeks, listens to and responds to the views and ideas of staff and customers.
• Encourages and actively engages in positive cross directorate communications and team working.
• Ensures communication and the sharing of data between internal and external teams, organisations and networks so that more opportunities can be created and appropriate and timely checks and adjustments made to keep projects and programmes on track.

Leadership

• Achieve the best possible outcomes in all your undertakings.
• Provide accurate technical advice and information as necessary on one or more areas of expertise within the service area.
• Ensure that your own technical knowledge is effectively transferred to team members and colleagues that have limited technical knowledge.
• As a member of the team, contribute to the development of the wider Service area and other relevant workforce plans and strategies, in line with Council priorities.
• Contribute to a highly motivated team that works together to achieve performance goals.
• Builds strong working relationships between the team, other teams within the service area and all services.

Technical / Operational

• Strong diagnostic skills for the correct identification of the causes of damp and mould, including use of diagnostic equipment.
• Able to write technical reports associated with Damp & Mould diagnosis.
• Ensure that all inspections are carried out in accordance with the Housing Health & Safety Rating and System (HHSRS).
• Implement processes that improve the voids turnaround times within repairs.
• A focused collaborative approach to working within a team and a wider community.
• A positive approach to excellent customer service, care delivery and a commitment to quality.
• Extensive knowledge of building repairs and maintenance.
• Up to date knowledge of procedures, legislation and best practice related to repairs and property safety.
• Knowledge of Building Regulations, planning procedures and other building related legislation and standards.
• Knowledge of building pathology sufficient to interpret information gathered from inspections to formulate the necessary remedial/preventative actions and make recommendations for repair.
• Knowledge of how buildings work, the systems within them and how fire behaviour can impact effectiveness and overall life safety in the building.
• Knowledge of the principles of building design and the key components of the building and their implications for maintenance and disseminate an awareness of fire (building) safety for all workstreams.
• Awareness of the various methods of housing construction and potential defects that may be identifiable.
• Knowledge of all relevant and current Health and Safety legislation.
• Ability to accurately record the condition of the inspection and take quality focused photographs.

Performance

• Continually monitor performance against targets and communicate this to others.
• Develop a continuous improvement ethos and implement tasks and actions that deliver such improvements.

General

• Work in accordance with RBK's Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, and all relevant policies and legislation.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post, as may be required from time to time, including attending meetings outside of normal working hours.
• As well as any other tasks which help support the team to provide service, which will be relevant to their skill set.

Person Specification Qualifications

• A recognised and current accreditation to (RICS/CIOB).
• A recognised building related qualification to a minimum of HND/HNC level.
• Certified Surveyor in Remedial Treatment (CSRT).

Experience

• Evidence of continued professional and personal development.
• Strong technical ability and knowledge of housing.
• An understanding of the details within Landlord statutory duties for compliance relating to housing.
• Able and enthusiastic at using information technology to develop and manage the service (including an ability to utilise response maintenance IT software and applications) and an ability to participate in further IT maintenance developments and support others in its use.
• Possess a clean driving licence and have access to a vehicle as travelling throughout the borough will be a requirement.
• Be able to ascend ladders and access scaffolding.

Ability to: Partnering for Excellence

• Build strong working relationships with people outside of their team.
• Work effectively with representatives of external partner organisations.

Putting the Customer First

• Seek to understand the needs and expectations of internal and external customers.
• Make realistic promises and commitments and deliver on these.

Being the Best

• Demonstrate a positive attitude and approach to work.
• Is flexible and adaptable to changing goals and circumstances.
• Manage time and prioritise work to maximise productivity and effectiveness.

Effective Communications

• Present a positive and professional image of self and RBK when communicating.
• Present ideas and views with confidence and clarity.
• Write fluently and succinctly using appropriate style.

Working together

• Contribute to a positive team spirit and healthy working environment.
• Appreciate the demands on team colleagues and willingly provide them with support.
• Demonstrate integrity, fairness and a high level of respect for others.

Knowledge of:

• Understanding of the role and purpose of the service within a local authority.
• Understanding of the external influences on the organisation and how they relate to the role.
• Knowledge of the vision and strategic goals of the organisation and relevant service areas.

Other Requirements

• Willingly share knowledge and learning with others.
• Work collaboratively across teams, services and partner organisations.
• Comfortable with new technology and modern methods of working.
• Determined to make a difference to our customers.
• Listen, understand and deliver.
• Respond positively and politely.
• Respect each customer as an individual.
• Work flexibly and be prepared to take on other appropriate reasonable duties should the Asset Management service require it.