Assistant Valuer

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated Assistant Valuer to join our growing Projects and Property team. The Projects and Property team are responsible for overseeing both the delivery of large scale infrastructure projects and the maintenance and management of existing buildings and facilities within North Somerset’s property portfolio, as well as supporting the delivery of the Council’s Development Strategy.

The team also provides a strategic property based advisory role to all other Directorates of the Council and its elected members and officers, as well as supporting the Council’s regeneration and development strategies and its major projects. This will impact on the budgets of other service Directorates and contribute to the delivery of re-generation and other major development projects within the Council’s capital programme.

The team handles the acquisition, disposal, leasing in and leasing out of accommodation in support of the Council’s strategic aims and Capital Programme. In addition, the team provides a Valuation and Estate Management Service covering Landlord and Tenant and all aspects of managing the Council’s Estate.

Supported by the Property Asset and Development Manager, the post holder will apply professional expertise, knowledge, skills, initiative and experience gained, to support the team in estate valuations, advise on property matters, negotiate agreements and instruct property contracts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in the provision of annual property ‘Asset Valuations & Reports’ as a statutory Audit requirement of the Council and in accordance with professional standards.

• Assist in the provision of annual Insurance Valuations for the corporate buildings occupied by the Council and its commercial property Estate.

• Assist in the provision of property advice and recommendations to be relied upon by service directorates, council officers and Members of the Council on a wide range of property matters including sales, purchase, leases, licences, easements, valuations, land acquisition, cost estimates, boundary disputes, and rating.

• Assist in obtaining negotiated agreements with external bodies and private individuals relating to a wide range of property transactions in order to achieve decisions of the Council and meet the needs of its directorates.

• Assist in providing instruction and consulting with the Council’s solicitors on various forms of property related contractual documents relating to sale / purchase / letting of land and to prepare first drafts of certain types of documents e.g., licences/concessions etc.

• Assist in the provision of all types of property valuations (capital valuations, annual rent assessments, land acquisition appraisals for development projects).

• Providing technical valuation and property advice to internal colleagues across Directorate and services and be able to manage your caseload effectively, delivering quality work.

• Identifying, escalating, mitigating, or managing risks and issues.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office.
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about estate management and building compliance and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Recently Qualified and associate or newly Chartered member of the Royal Institution Of Chartered Surveyors.

• A Registered Valuer or working toward Registration.

• Degree/ Diploma or other appropriate qualification in a property related discipline.

• Early experience gained during qualification or development career phase or recently gained post qualification in either a public or private sector valuation and property related sector.

• Knowledge of property related statutes and professional standards including Landlord and Tenant Acts / Law of Property Acts / Town and Country Planning acts / RICS and International valuation standards.

Desirable Criteria:

• Membership of a Professional Institute relevant to one or more areas of service responsibility. RICS qualifications would be particularly welcomed.

• Early experience gained during qualification or development career phase or recently gained post qualification in either a public or private sector valuation and property related sector.

• Knowledge of property related statutes and professional standards including Landlord and Tenant Acts / Law of Property Acts / Town and Country Planning acts / RICS and International valuation standards.

• Understanding of a high-quality customer service and business partnering approach, in a large multidisciplinary organisation.

• Good communication skills, with the ability to help present to a diverse range of internal and external audiences using a variety of media and approaches.

• Demonstrate effective use of a variety of technologies to retrieve information and monitor and evaluate service delivery and individual performance.

• Quality reporting skills to external organisations, funding bodies or core stakeholders as part of project delivery.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.

We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Local Government Pension.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums.
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year.
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team.
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes.

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How To Apply

If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Martin O’Neill, Senior Development and Asset Manager, Email: martin.oneill@n-somerset.gov.uk

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: To be confirmed.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.