Area Building Control Surveyor

About the job Area Building Control Surveyor

MAIN

PURPOSE:

Provide technical expertise and control in the administration and enforcement of the Building Act, Building Regulations, London Building Acts and allied legislation to ensure an adequate standard of construction, with regard to public health and safety, in respect of the built environment within the geographical area of the Borough.

Responsible for the management of the full scope of developments within a geographical area of the Borough, including plan checking, site inspections and the enforcement of the Building Regulations.

Responsibility to deal with dangerous structures and demolitions and instigating emergency action as appropriate to secure the safety of the public.

As a member of the building control team, they will advise the public, members and other officers on matters relating to the functions, policies and service of the Building Control Service.

Work closely with other services to achieve the Divisions aims and targets.

To always perform responsibilities with a Customer Service and Performance Improvement focus.

Processing Building Regulation applications (across all sectors)

• To examine plans and details submitted under the Building Regulations, check for compliance with the requirements of those Regulations and allied legislation including the checking of simple beam calculations and to request additional information where information is deficient
• Consult with the Fire Authority under the Fire Precautions Act in respect of designated buildings and other Sections and Divisions where appropriate.
• Issue decision notice (Approval or Rejection) of proposals following the examination and consultations outlined above within statutory time periods

Carry out site inspections (across all sectors)

• Management of area within district for site inspections, carrying out regular site inspections of building work in progress from commencement of work through to completion to ensure that the works accord with the approved plans and are in conformity with the requirements of the Building Regulations.
• Make decisions on site (approve or reject) regarding any alterations and amendments to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations including regularisation applications including the assessment on site any varying of the provisions under Building Regulations. Make decisions on site regarding these variations or if necessary, consult with a senior member of staff or the Head of Building Control
• Ensure that a Planning "Plan Check" is carried out where appropriate and report and discrepancies to the Development Control Section either in the submitted plans or works on site
• Note any contraventions of the Regulations and report any which are not immediately rectified to the Head of Building Control for formal Enforcement Procedures to be implemented.
• To carry out investigations into breaches of building control legislation, identify and make recommendations of appropriate course of action
• Determine regularisation submissions and issue of regularisation certificates as appropriate following inspection of completed work
• Keep accurate and up to date records of site inspections
• Issue completion certificate on satisfactory completion
• Attend major emergency incidents and dangerous structures including out of hours. Identify work required to secure the safety of residents and public. Instruct the emergency contractor and supervise the emergency work as required

Provide advice on Building Regulation applications

• Provide advice on the building regulation process and technical requirements to members of the public, Surveyors, Architects, and Solicitors etc on all aspects of Building Regulations in a customer-orientated manner
• To generally promote the building control service to existing and potential new customers to maintain and attract business, improve client satisfaction and maintain effective relationships with other stakeholders such as colleagues, the public and members
• Provide to customers/clients the specified standard and level of service that is expected, noting and passing on any shortfalls or potential improvements
• To prepare proofs of evidence/witness statements and to attend Court as necessary to act as a professional witness to give evidence in Court proceedings
• To work cooperatively with other teams within the Council, particularly Development Management and Enforcement

Development of Others

• To supervise staff temporarily allocated to the service area and to assist in the training of other staff
• Provide mentor support for the plan vetting and site inspections for the Trainee and Assistant Building Control Surveyor

Undertake personal learning and development

• Ensure self-development and training in accordance with business needs and the culture of the Council
• In particular, undertake training and development to gain competence in dealing with more complex building work

CONTACTS AND RELATIONSHIPS:

• Internally - Other services such as officers in Development Management, Planning…