Building Maintenance Surveyor

The University of Derby Estates Department is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable campus environment, that supports our passion for delivering world class education and ground-breaking research.

The Estates team has over 250 colleagues, working across all of our sites on everything from the refurbishment of buildings to catering.

The Surveying Teams remit within the University is diverse and substantial.

Covering all sites, tutorial, commercial and residential across the University portfolio, the Surveying team provides support by offering a multitude of different services to support the Universities needs. Some of which are governed by law, others to ensure the safe operation of University infrastructure and to ensure the safety of occupants within. Maintenance of University infrastructure is key to provide users with a modern, functional, innovative and safe learning experience.

The Surveying Team is committed to continual improvement and innovation and aim to provide a progressive working environment where balanced support and challenges can facilitate high performance amongst colleagues and collaborators. Maintaining a focus on quality, efficiency, and effective building management, the work of the Surveying Team provides expert support with rewarding opportunities to contribute to the ongoing success of the University. With an extensive pool of approved external contractors the Surveying Team can be relied upon to provide a quality solution to all building requirements.

The Building Maintenance Surveyor is responsible for overseeing and managing the maintenance, repair, and overall upkeep of buildings to ensure they remain safe, functional, and compliant with regulations. The role focuses on maintaining the structural integrity, systems, and environment of a building over time. The role of a building maintenance surveyor is vital for the upkeep of the universities buildings, ensuring that they are safe, efficient, and functional.

You will play a central role in managing and maintaining the building's infrastructure, from regular inspections and repairs to compliance with safety regulations and budgeting for ongoing maintenance. Your expertise helps extend the life of the building, improve energy efficiency, and enhance the comfort and safety of its occupants.  You will be required to work as part of the role the surveyor would become part of the critical incident team when required.

To be successful in this role, you will require the following skills and experience: 

• Main Experience:
  • Building Inspections and Surveys: Conducting detailed inspections of buildings to assess their structural condition, identify defects, and evaluate compliance with building regulations and codes.
  • Project Management: Overseeing construction projects, renovations, and repairs, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required standards.
  • Compliance and Regulations: Ensuring buildings meet legal requirements, health and safety standards, fire codes, accessibility regulations, and environmental guidelines.
  • Condition Reporting: Preparing comprehensive reports on building conditions, identifying issues, and providing recommendations for repairs or improvements.
  • Advisory Roles: Offering strategic advice on building design, renovation plans, and maintaining property value for clients like developers, owners, and investors.
• Main Skills:
  • Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of building construction, materials, systems, and structural design.
  • Problem-Solving: Identifying causes of defects and determining appropriate corrective actions, including repairs and renovations.
  • Attention to Detail: Spotting minor issues before they become major problems, ensuring accuracy in assessments, reports, and compliance checks.
  • Knowledge of Building Codes and Legislation: Understanding local and international building codes, safety standards, planning permissions, and environmental regulations.
  • Communication Skills: Strong ability to communicate findings, recommendations, and legal requirements clearly, both in writing (reports, contracts) and orally (presentations, meetings).
  • Risk Management: Ability to assess risks related to building safety, environmental hazards, or potential structural failures and implement strategies to mitigate them.
  • IT Proficiency: Familiarity with surveying tools, building management software, and digital reporting platforms to streamline processes and record findings effectively.
  • Customer-Focused: Providing tailored advice to meet clients’ specific needs, whether for a residential, commercial, or historical building.

1. Plan and undertake internal and external building surveys and maintenance tasks to ensure fit for purpose standards of condition and compliance are achieved and maintained.
2. Undertake surveys either individually or with other Estates staff to ensure accurate digital estate asset information is always available.
3. Act as Client’s Representative to deliver and assist on various major and minor refurbishment projects including residential, tutorial and office buildings, managing contractors and consultants. Ensure all works undertaken comply with rules for management of contractors and that onsite Health & Safety protocols are followed appropriately.
4. Manage the tendering of various building works including the preparation of drawings using AutoCAD LT and production of specifications to be included in contract/tender documents.
5. Support on the Universities Computer Aided Facility Management System (Invida) to maintain its Asset Register and Property Planned Maintenance, which helps ensure statutory compliance. Also, to use the Computer Aided Facilities Management system (CAFM) to help project and report on long term repair/replace, lifecycle costs and inform budgeting.                                  
6. Liaise and co-ordinate with the wider University in respect of proposed building works and work flexibly to best support navigating works alongside on-going Department activities.
7. Take financial responsibility for allocated building projects and process orders/invoices.
8. Archive and record information supporting Health & Safety and Operation and Maintenance Manual (O&M) files to support on-going facilities management.
9. Adhere to current health and safety legislation and best practice in accordance with the University’s Health and Safety policy statement.
10. Ensure own safety and the safety of others who may be affected by your own actions. Employees must follow instructions and always liaise with their line manager to enable the University to meet its legal responsibilities. Employees must stop work if the nature of the situation involves risk of serious injury to any person and must report any hazardous situation or defective equipment to their line manager without delay.
11. Carry out any other duties and ad hoc duties in line with specific business needs as reasonably requested by your line manager.
12. Commit to and endorse the University Values and principles of equality, diversity & inclusion.