Principal Building Control Surveyor

Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Hammond Clarke

Purpose of the Role:

The building control department ensures that buildings are designed and constructed in accordance with the Building Regulations and associated legislation. It is the responsibility of those carrying out the work to ensure that the provisions of the regulations are fully met. The role of Building Control is to check that they do so and ensure that corrective actions are taken when compliance has not been achieved.

The post holder falls into the requirement of having to be registered with the Building Safety Regulator as set out in Part 2A, Registration of Building Control Profession of the Building Act 1984. Specific reference is made to Section 58A to 58M which relate to the registration of Building Inspectors.

To initiate and assist with enforcement action to ensure delivery of the services obligations under the Building Act and associated legislation, whilst working within a highly competitive market. The post holder will be competent in all building control and administrative matters ensuring that appropriate buildings meet the regulatory standards in safety, sustainability, accessibility, and design. Contribute to a strong and efficient performance culture with a focus on service excellence and customer satisfaction and support the management team and Building Control Manager.

Main Responsibilities

• To take a lead role of a team of operational front-line surveyors to ensure that the building control function is delivered in accordance with statutory requirements, service level targets and the Councils aspirations.
• Undertakes annual safety inspections to advise on building related matters that may affect public health and safety at these venues.
• Provide professional advice and expertise to support the development and delivery of major corporate projects.
• To take a lead on major complex projects submitted for building control approval. To work within the context of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) competency framework
• Inspect and check deposited plans and associated supporting information for compliance with current Building Regulations, Building Act 1984 and allied legislation, enforcing the building control requirements. Preparing schedules of matters requiring attention, arranging amendments to be made as necessary, negotiate with interested parties accordingly to achieve compliance and recommending approval or rejection of deposited plans within statutory time periods and the services key performance indicator of major and complex buildings.
• Undertake statutory and other site inspections in connection with Full Plans, Building Notice, Regularisation and Reversion applications deposited with the Council under current Building Regulations and powers set out in the Building Act 1984, keeping all necessary records of such visits within statutory time periods and the services key performance indicators. Negotiate and influence alternative solutions/interventions to achieve compliance of the functional requirements of the building regulations.
• Provide evidence-based rationales to respond to appeals made against building regulation compliance.
• Act as an expert witness in cases where legal action is necessary.
• To lead on the investigation and control of demolition, dangerous structures, contraventions, and unauthorised works to ensure compliance with the appropriate legislation and the Councils obligations under the Building Act 1984. The post holder will notify the management team of actions taken whilst compiling reports on continuing work.
• To take a lead role in instructing Fire and Rescue Service, Police, supporting agencies, public and contractors following a dangerous structure callout. Undertaking immediate and accountable decisions for the health, safety and welfare of the community, owners, and contractors which may also be required out of normal office hours. These events are diverse, unforeseen and without precedent, are often in hazardous conditions in and around dangerous structures and must be brought to a satisfactory conclusion through immediate, on the spot, authoritative decisions made with little or no reference to a higher authority.
• To initiate, assist and lead with enforcement action to ensure delivery of the Councils obligations under the Building Act and associated legislation.
• Provide training, support, guidance and mentoring to other members of the building control staff.
• If called upon by the BSR to provide building regulation compliance advice in the form of a technical report for projects that fall within the scope of a High Risk Building which could be located either within the North Yorkshire area or anywhere within England should the request for assistance be made.
• Provide advice and guidance to the business support team to ensure that technical administrative duties to support the Building Control service are correct and timely processed in accordance with policy and statute.
• Actively pursuing personal development of skills and knowledge necessary for effective performance in the role, for the Team, Service, and the Council.
• Providing support to all services within the building control department as required and directed.