Property Inspector – Welsh Speaking
Valuation Office Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 24th November 2024
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Property
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About the job
Job summary
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. As one of the largest employers of surveyors in the country 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.
Job description
Property Inspector – Welsh Speaking – Role Overview
We’re looking for talented people who are eager to contribute to vital public services and assist us to deliver taxation and benefits support to the government and local authorities. Your skills and experience will enable us to provide an efficient, effective service right at the heart of the public interest.
Successful applicants will work within the Council Tax Unit and can be deployed to work across a range of caseworker tasks. As a Caseworker you will examine complex information and undertake detailed analysis to make accurate and informed decisions. Our caseworkers understand and apply technology to achieve efficient and effective business and personal results.
Inspections are a key part of the role of a caseworker. The role will see you travelling to both domestic and non-domestic property which could be within City Centres or in more rural locations and why the requirement of a driving licence is essential.
We offer access to a whole host of learning and development opportunities to support your career development. There may be the opportunity to apply for one of our property qualification schemes while in the post.
Property Inspector – Welsh Speaking – Key Responsibilities
Our activities are wide ranging and can include:
- Using research and analytical skills to interpret information and make judgements to make evidence-based decisions on a range of cases across the three business areas.
- Inspection of both domestic and non-domestic properties will be required and could see you out of the office undertaking inspections numerous times a week.
- Working within current legislation and organisational policy and guidelines.
- Being accountable for decisions made.
- Researching and assessing casework.
- Direct contact with ratepayers/taxpayers and agents by phone or email.
- Inputting and downloading of data into our computer systems.
- Appearing at Valuation Tribunal representing the Valuation Office - presenting evidence to the Tribunal members following discussions with taxpayers and/or agents where an agreement cannot be reached.
- Building relationships by working closely with other Property Caseworkers, and wider teams within the Valuation Office.
The successful candidates must be able and willing to travel. Once trained, you will be expected travel to property inspections across Wales on a regular basis, alongside a blend of attendance at the office and working from home.
Person specification
We are looking for a fluent Welsh Speaker who has excellent communication and facilitation skills. You will have the ability to engage and influence at all levels and with a range of people to shape effective outcomes across a wide range of stakeholders.
The successful candidate will use initiative and suggest ideas for business improvements, developing networks and sharing feedback with others in a constructive manner. You will be a self-motivator, able to work in a team environment and have the flexibility to switch at short notice between the various duties.
Essential Requirements
- Fluent in English and Welsh Language. Fluency is to include speaking, listening, reading and writing.
- Proven use of bilingual skills to communicate effectively with a broad range of people both verbally and in writing.
- Pay attention to detail and can use research and analytical skills to make good judgement decisions across the business areas.
- Good horizon scanning and organisational skills.
- Proven ability to ensure that results are achieved on time, monitoring your work against milestones.
- Have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Hold a full UK driving licence and able to regularly travel to carry out inspections.
Licences
Languages
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
We offer a range of flexible working options, a generous leave allowance that starts at 25 days and goes up to 30 days after 5 years’ service and a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%.
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- Family friendly policies including 26 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption or shared parental leave.
- Employee Assistance Programme offering comprehensive wellbeing support.
- To learn more about the extensive benefits we can offer you as a VOA employee please download our Benefits Booklet: pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Things you need to know
Selection process details
If you can meet our person requirements above, we are keen to hear from you.
To apply for this post, you must complete an online application with the following:
A Personal Statement (maximum 500 words) please outline your suitability for the role. Please pay particular attention to the ‘Essential Criteria’ and ‘Person Specification’ outlined in the advert when providing your answer. Please ensure that your Personal Statement is written in Welsh.
Sift (W/C 25/11/24)
We will assess you on your Personal Statement.
Interviews (W/C 09/12/24) Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change. These will be confirmed should you be invited to interview.
Interviews are currently taking place using Microsoft Teams Video. We will provide more detail if you are shortlisted for interview.
We will assess you on the Behaviours listed in the job description and Strengths.
At the interview, the panel can then probe further and ask applicants to provide further specific examples that show how they best demonstrate their skills.
Interview questions will be asked in a mixture of Welsh and English.
Behaviours
The distinguishing Behaviours (the required skills, knowledge and behaviours) for this role are set out in the Civil Service Behaviours Framework 2018 (Success Profiles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) and should be referred to when making this application.
You are required, under the Behaviours approach, to describe how you have dealt with a specific situation.
You must give evidence of your knowledge, skills and behaviours and how you have applied this, such as what you did or said and how you interacted with other people.
When you are giving your examples, do not spend too many words on description and background information. Avoid using general or unspecific statements. Instead say what the situation was, what you did what your thought process was and so on.
Application Hints and Tips
For more information on Success Profiles, tips on how to write a successful application and find out more about what’s involved in the application process please visit About the application process , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)
Further Information
The internal vacancy title for this role is Council Tax Caseworker - Welsh Speaking.
As part of the application process you will be asked to tell us which of the locations available you can work in. You will be able to specify up to 2 options. Please be aware that you can be posted to any location that you put in your preferences. If you would only like to be posted to one location, please confirm one location only.
Successful candidates must select one of the locations noted in this advert as their base office and will be expected to undertake regular travel to this location under the Agency’s hybrid working policy.
A full UK Driving Licence is essential to this role. However, if you are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 and do not hold a full driving licence, we will consider your application. Please contact resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk with your details to discuss this further.
Any move to VOA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
The VOA is an office-based organisation that supports flexible working. By default, everyone in the VOA is a hybrid worker with options to work in the office, at home or out and about, depending on the work they’re doing that day and where it’s best done.
VOA employees only: If you are currently in receipt of DTA as a result of a VOA office closure/restructure and it is agreed for you to take up this role in your current location, you may continue to receive DTA for the remainder of the period you can claim for. Please check with the Vacancy Holder on preferred locations for this role before you apply.
If you would require a Certificate of Sponsorship from the VOA to undertake this role, please contact resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk before submitting your application.
Pre-employment Checks
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Reasonable Adjustment
We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition, or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
If you need a reasonable adjustment or a change to be made so that you can make your application, please click here for more information:
Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk) and contact voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Terms & Conditions
Voluntary terms apply.
Reserve Lists
If we have more successful candidates than available vacancies, we will hold a 6-month reserve list.
During that time, we may use the list to fill the same, or similar roles with closely matching essential criteria, without further testing of merit. Any appointments from the Reserve list will be made in strict merit order.
Starting Work
The successful candidates will normally take up duty within one month from notification of successful completion of pre-employment checks.
Applying
All applications for these vacancies must be made online. There are limited exceptions to this. Paper applications will only be considered if you have a disability that will prevent you from applying online. If this is the case, please email voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Once you have submitted your application it cannot be amended; only submit your application when you have completely finished and answered all the relevant questions.
Please note that late applications will not be accepted.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Use of AI
You may utilise artificial intelligence (AI) tools and platforms to support you during the application process however, as with any application all information submitted must be factually accurate and all examples provided must be taken directly from your own experience. All presented information will be assessed at interview. Any applications where factual inaccuracy, plagiarism or copying of examples/answers from internet sources is detected will be withdrawn from the process. Further action, including disciplinary action, may be considered in such cases involving internal candidates.
Concerns/Complaints
The Valuation Office Agency’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you may make a complaint, by contacting the Central Recruitment Team at the following address: resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk
If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint you have the right to complain to the Civil Service Commissioners.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Tammy Harmes.
- Email : Tammy.Harmes@voa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : VOARecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
