Job Description

Are you looking for an opportunity to develop a professional career in Quantity Surveying?

Have you just completed your post 16 education, or you may already be studying for a construction related qualification or looking to change career.

If this is the kind of opportunity you have been looking for, then you may be interested to learn about two fantastic opportunities at Ipswich Borough Council where we are offering two successful candidates an apprenticeship degree position.

Each of these positions will enable you to develop yourself with examination success, into a professionally qualified quantity surveyor within Ipswich Borough Council’s Maintenance and Contracts Operations area.

To achieve this,  you will need drive, dedication, and commitment to study and work whilst delivering a high-quality service to the Housing property portfolio.  The role is supported by part-time attendance at University whilst also receiving in parallel, on the job training and development.

Main purpose of the role

To assist with managing an annual budget of around £25m per annum. You will prepare budget estimates for a wide range of building and maintenance related works, prepare contract specifications and tender documents, analyse tenders, raise orders, undertake valuations, and make payments across multiple contracts.

Your starting salary will be based on your qualifications and experience. As these roles are on a career grade structure, and as you develop and gain experience in your job and through your education, your level of responsibility will grow, which will be reflected in your salary grade.

These roles are for 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday with time off to attend University for study.

The post also involves visiting people’s homes so this will require good communication skills and a focus on the needs of the customer.

Location 

The post is based at Gipping House on Whittle Road, Ipswich but you will be required to travel to site so you will need a driving licence and the ability to safely climb ladders for inspections purposes.  The Council has a pool of electric vehicles that will be available to use for work purposes.

General Information 

This post will not be eligible in the first instance to any hybrid working arrangements at IBC, this is due to the requirement for supervision and development in the early stages of the apprenticeship.

It is anticipated that the successful applicant will be enrolled for the September 2023 University intake. Initial shortlisting will identify those applicants who will be invited to undertake basic reasoning and Maths/English tests online. There will then be a further shortlisting exercise.

Successful applicants will be invited to interview at the office and as part of that process you will be asked to present a short presentation to the Interview panel.

Consideration will be given to applicants still in education with a start date in early summer.

About you

You will need GCSE passes in Maths and English Language, and Level 3 qualification or A level passes in relevant subjects to be able to be enrolled at the School of Engineering & The Built Environment.

The duration of the apprenticeship will depend on your progress, but it is envisaged that this will be approximately five years to achieve professional recognition.

You will be able to follow detailed instructions, maintain high standards of work, be well organised to attend appointments promptly, flexible to adapt to a changing working environment and adjust work schedules as required.

This post is offered on a permanent basis.

As well as a good salary, we offer a career average pension scheme, generous holiday and sick pay entitlements, subsidised parking, public transport discounts, free swimming, cycle purchase scheme, plenty of personal and professional development opportunities, flexible working, hybrid working opportunities, Employee Assistance Programme and the opportunity to work with great colleagues.

For more information about this role please contact Duncan Carragher via email duncan.carragher@ipswich.gov.uk

Please download the Job Description and Person Specification to find out more about this role:

Job description and Person specification (Grade 3)

Job description and Person specification (Grade 5)

Job description and Person specification (Grade 7)

Job description and Person specification (Grade 8)

The selection process will be an interview / assessment centre followed by interview.

Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to interview candidates who meet the essential criteria prior to the closing date and / or to close the opportunity to applicants once we receive sufficient applications.