Work Placement Valuation Surveyor
Valuation Office Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 31st October 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
London: £32,782
Job grade
Contract type
Length of employment
Business area
Type of role
Surveying
Valuation
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
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. This 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
Work Placement Valuation Surveyor – Role Overview
We are looking for individuals studying a RICS accredited degree aligned with the RICS’ Valuation pathway, with an agreed work-based placement (sandwich) year. The placement will start in September 2025 and last for 12 months. There may also be opportunities to continue working at the VOA, in a property-related role, on a part-time basis for an additional 12 months when you return to university.
Join us and you will be given early responsibility for your own caseloads. You will gain and record relevant experience towards the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) on the Valuation pathway and related pathways during your work placement.
You will follow a structured learning journey, gain experience of working with property data, analysis, inspection and valuation work for non-domestic rating, council tax or other public-sector valuation purposes and you’ll be fully supported and guided in doing this by experienced colleagues.
Once you complete your degree, the experience gained with us on your work placement could be transferred over to a graduate programme. This means that you could potentially qualify as a Chartered Valuation Surveyor (MRICS) 6-12 months earlier than you would otherwise.
If you enjoy working within a fast paced, challenging environment then this is an excellent opportunity to join our highly skilled and diverse organisation. Full details of key responsibilities, person specification and eligibility requirements are contained within the candidate pack which can be found at the bottom of the advert.
Don’t just take our word for it though. One of our lead valuers, who went on to successfully apply for and complete our graduate programme to qualify as a chartered surveyor, sums up their experience on the work placement programme.
“I would recommend a placement year at the Valuation Office Agency as it has a brilliant training programme, fantastic support and it allowed me to return to my final year of university with practical knowledge.”
You can also click here to view dates, times and sign up to our live events taking place via Microsoft Teams prior to the closing date. These events are a great opportunity to find out more about our Work Placement Programme and how to apply. Please note booking will close at 5pm the day before each event. On the day of the event, you will receive a joining link by 09:30am to access the event.
Person specification
Essential Requirements
To be eligible to apply for this role you must:
- Be currently studying a RICS accredited undergraduate or master’s level degree, aligned to the valuation pathway, with an agreed work-based placement (sandwich) year as part of your degree.
- Check your undergraduate or master’s degree is suitable by clicking here https://www.ricscourses.org/ and filtering on ‘valuation’ via the pathway filter panel on the left.
- Be undertaking a degree which involves valuation modules. This is due to the nature of the work and experience we can provide.
- Be able to demonstrate ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Be able to evidence sound analytical skills and good judgement to inform their decisions or when providing opinions or advice to others.
- Be able to work effectively with others.
- Have good time management and organisational skills, taking ownership of your workload and professional development, whilst delivering to deadlines.
- Be willing and able to travel on a regular basis, including potential overnight stays.
Qualifications
placement (sandwich) year as part of your degree.
• Check your degree or masters is suitable by clicking here https://www.ricscourses.org/ and filtering on ‘valuation’ via the pathway filter panel on
the left.
• Be undertaking a degree which involves valuation modules. This is due to the nature of the work and experience we can provide.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Candidates will be asked technical questions at interview.
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:
Provide a 500-word personal statement outlining:
- Your suitability for the role, based on the vacancy description, key responsibilities and essential requirements.
- Why you want to develop your career in surveying and valuation with the Valuation Office Agency.
Sift: 4th - 6th November 2024
We will assess you on your Personal Statement and Qualifications.
Please note: If you do not meet our qualification requirements, you will be removed from the application process.
Interviews: 21st - 29th November 2024
Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change. The dates 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, Strengths, a Presentation and Technical questions.
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.
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.
Presentation
You will also be required to conduct a presentation. Information on the presentation topic will be provided to you if you are shortlisted for interview.
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
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 3 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.
You should only select locations that you can commit to working in long term.
There will be a merit list per location with the 1st candidate from each list offered a role, starting with the highest scoring individual, until the number of required roles are met.
Wembley and Canary Wharf Locations
Due to the way the CS Jobs system is set up, when choosing your preferred locations, you will find that the Wembley & Canary Wharf locations will not appear on the list of options.
Should you wish to choose Wembley as a location then please select Harlesden.
Should you wish to choose Canary Wharf as a location then please select Tower Hamlets.
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 start their placement in September 2025, following 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.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
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 : The Development Team
- Email : developmentteam@voa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : VOARecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
