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Job Information Pack

Building Inspector – Clerk of Works

TAFF/408

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Advert Taff Housing Association is a community based Housing Association, building historically in its heartlands of Canton, Riverside and Grangetown. Expanding into other areas of the Capital we now wish to recruit a Building Inspector – Clerk of Works to assist the Association to reach its development aspirations and ensure quality across its new build and regeneration schemes. This is an exciting opportunity to join a small but busy development team working within the capital city.

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About Taff

Our Head Office is located in Canton, Cardiff, within easy reach of our Tenants. As an ‘anchor’ organisation, Taff has always tried to create inclusive communities, building on people’s strengths and abilities. We are here to support and encourage innovative and creative solutions driven by our people – customers and staff.

We continue to develop new Social Housing, and invest in our existing stock. But we also work with individuals and communities to develop their resilience, aspirations and ambitions.

Taff is about nurturing ‘whole places’, which are kind, inclusive, energetic and creative.

We have committed to ‘Build Foundations for Better Futures’ in our plan which takes us to 2022. Our ambitions are to: • BUILD A REPUTATION FOR DELIVERING GREAT SERVICE & INNOVATION – we want our customers to value our services, and think of new, more efficient ways to work with them •BUILD HOMES & COMMUNITIES – we will build at least 50 homes each year, and promote safe, cohesive communities • BUILD RESILIENCE AND ASPIRATIONS – we will work with people to find their strengths, and help them achieve what’s important to them. We will give them tools to cope independently • BUILD A GREAT PLACE TO WORK - we want people to feel part of Taff, and to take leadership roles wherever they are in the organisation • BUILD FOUNDATIONS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS – if we want to be innovative and use technology to help us grow, we need to ensure all our systems work well – financial, IT, document management etc. • BUILD COMMERCIAL CAPACITY – healthy surpluses allow us to build homes and to try out new ventures; research and development will underpin all new business ideas We recognise that our success depends on the quality, skills and commitment of the people who work for us. We are committed to equality and embrace diversity, and welcome applications from all.

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The Job - Building Inspector – Clerk of Works Responsible to: Development Manager Purpose of the post: To supervise construction contracts through on-site inspections, to ensure that building works are carried out to the highest possible standards. Update and maintain the Associations specification to include modern methods of construction and modular build. To support the Development and Regeneration Team in carrying out its duties.

Main Functions:

Act as Clerk of Works for building and maintenance contracts let by the association. Contribute to the design and specification of new schemes. Have a good working knowledge of all contract drawings and documents and filing

procedures. Ensure that all work and materials comply with relevant contract documentation and with

current building standards. Maintain adequate site records, photographs and provide weekly, monthly reports on all

building contracts undertaken by the Association, including check compliance against scheme checklist.

Ensure that all contractors work to the agreed contract programme and report any potential or actual delay to a senior.

Attend site meetings. Ensure that all safety standards and regulations are complied with. Create good working relationships with all parties involved. Record all discrepancies and problems and seek to resolve these on-site. Where issues cannot

be resolved, report these to senior staff for further action. Where variations are required, report these immediately to senior staff with recommendation

where appropriate. Inspect all units with the contractor and prepare all necessary defects (snags) lists and ensure

that defects are rectified prior to any handovers. Inform Tenant Services and Property Services teams of handover dates and any revisions. Liaise with Tenant Services team to make arrangements for prospective tenants to view

properties. Ensure that all as built records are recorded as required by the association. Following handover of newly developed homes, ensure Tenants, Estate Assistants and

Maintenance staff, understand the operation of all features of their homes and provide follow up advice as necessary.

Ensure defects occurring within the defects period are rectified within appropriate timescales and to correct standards.

Carry out inspections at the end of the defects period and ensure all defects are rectified. Assist in undertaking tenant satisfaction surveys as necessary. Undertake stock condition surveys when required. Carry out inspections of maintenance works and order any work that is required. Contribute to review and improvement of design briefs and specifications.

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To undertake any reasonable tasks consistent with the post as directed by the Development

Manager and Head Development and Regeneration. Provide a high quality maintenance service to tenants

*This job description is indicative of the range of current duties and responsibilities for the post. It is not comprehensive. This post is expected to develop overtime with the skills and knowledge of the post holder and it is essential therefore, that it is regarded with a degree of flexibility, so that changing needs and circumstances can be met. All changes will be discussed with the post holder.

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The Person – Knowledge/Skills/Experience Education

Good level of literacy and numeracy skills.

Desirable: Construction trade or technical qualification. Membership of the Institute of Clerk of Works.

Experience & Knowledge Experience in the building industry as a Surveyor/Clerk of Works/Residential Building

Inspector. Experience of working with a customer focused organisation. Experience of identifying, specifying and monitoring planned and reactive maintenance

works. Desirable: Experience of working in the social housing sector.

Knowledge

Extensive technical knowledge of house construction, rehabilitation and maintenance. Good knowledge of construction health and safety requirements. Good knowledge of current legislation in terms of building regulations and sustainable

drainage solutions. Good knowledge of modern and alternative methods of construction. Good knowledge of Welsh Assembly Government requirements for housing both Design

Quality Requirements and Welsh Housing Quality Standards.

Skills and Aptitude

Good inter-personal skills and ability to develop effective working relationships with contractors, consultants, staff and tenants.

Good verbal and written communication skills. Good customer service skills. Ability to follow administrative procedures, maintain good records and produce reports. Ability to work effectively under pressure. Ability to interpret contract drawings and specifications and check building works for

compliance. Ability to keep up to date with current building requirements and best practice. Ability to undertake stock condition survey. Ability to use IT– word processing/spreadsheets/email.

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The Person – Characteristics Personal Qualities

Commitment to the Association’s values. Flexible and adaptable approach to duties. Motivated and well organised. Ability to work in a team. Ability to drive and access to a car.

Diversity To respect and respond to the diverse requirements and needs of different individuals. To demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the legal, ethical and strategic reasons

for supporting workplace diversity.

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Conditions of Service Salary: £31,924 - £33,899

Contract Type Permanent

Working Week 35 hours a week, normally Monday - Friday Flexible working in accordance with our Work life Balance Policy

Annual Leave 25 days annual leave (extra 1 day leave after 5 and 10 years’ service – total of 27 days) plus 4 extra statutory days plus 8 bank holidays

Location Head Office, Canton, Cardiff, CF5 1JD

Criminal Records Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check will be necessary for the successful applicant, and appointment will not be confirmed before a satisfactory disclosure is received.

References:

Two satisfactory professional references; including one from your current employer covering the last 3 years. (Family members cannot provide references)

Probationary Period: 6 month

To apply for this post and to view all our current vacancies please visit http://www.taffhousing.co.uk/vacancy/. Closing Date: Friday 2nd August 2019 at 10am

Interviews & Assessment: Tuesday 13th August 2019

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