our ref

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direct dial 01473 432766

Dear Applicant

RE: Technical OfficerPost Ref: 1436

Thank you for your interest in the above post. Please find enclosed in this application pack the following documents:

  • Application Form and Guidance Notes
  • Job Description
  • Person Specification

Application Form:

The application form plays a key part in our selection process. We use the information you provide to shortlist for interview.

You are urged to ensure that all the information contained in your application is relevant and that you demonstrate how you meet the criteria on the person specification. Please use the person specification for guidance when filling in the application form.

References: If successful at interview, Ipswich Borough Council will seek to obtain two employment references. Wherever possible the name of your first referee must be from current employment/education and the second from either current or former employment/education. If you cannot provide an “employment” reference please contact the HR Team at Ipswich Borough Council for further assistance.

For your information, the salary for this post is £25,884 - £27,493 pro rata.

The closing date is 12 (noon) 28th November 2014. Please send your completed application form to Human Resources, 2nd Floor – West, Grafton House, 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2DE or email it to .

If you have any recruitment queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01473 432766. Please leave your name, number and brief details of your question and a member of the recruitment team will call you back.

Yours faithfully,

The Recruitment Team

Ipswich Borough Council

Job Description: K92a

Technical Officer

Main Purpose of Job

To deliver high quality, customer focusedHousing Technical Support Services in accordance with Council and departmental policies and procedures and within a legislative framework.

Main Duties

1. Examine and understand proposals, drawings, specifications, tender documents, bills of quantities, method statements, health and safety plans for assigned projects, other consultation papers, survey information etc, receive and respond to service requests and prepare comments in accordance with current procedures and where necessary with reference to other Council staff as appropriate.

  1. Anticipate any difficulties on site and advise appropriate persons in good time to not cause a delay to the project. Attend and report views/concerns at contract progress meetings. Witness and make note of all testing carried out by Contractor or Sub-Contractor (drains, concrete cube and slump tests, IEE electrical tests, heating pressure tests, etc). Also levels and setting out by Contractor. Ensure equipment is used in accordance with operating manuals and properly calibrated and maintained.
  1. Carry out inspections, investigations, monitoring and surveillance work in accordance with service area procedures and work programmes or as requested. Ensure that good standards of quality of workmanship and materials are being maintained throughout all stages of a project and that the specification and contract conditions are complied with. Ensure health & safety requirements are met. Issue default in performance points to the contractor as necessary. Ensure Building Regulation requirements are met. Ensure customers understand how to use any new facilities.

4. Ensure that all registers, records and sources of data are kept up to date in accordance with current procedures. Including project records such as snagging lists, defects lists, time sheets, daily diary regarding labour on site, weather conditions, temperatures, visitors to site, drawings received, delays to work on site, progress to programme, material deliveries.

  1. Take measurements on site and record for valuation purposes, particularly of work that is to be covered. Assess and authorize or dispute day work sheets submitted by contractors confirming times and materials used. Write site instructions/variations as necessary - confirm with contract administrator.
  1. Where appropriate arrange for works to be carried out (including in default) following service area and legal procedures. Ensure all works are carried out to comply with requirements made and where necessary request payment.
  1. Prepare correspondence as appropriate, including reports, letters, file notes, statutory notices etc. Maintain any necessary follow up procedures including liasing with customers. Where appropriately authorised, prepare, sign and serve notices and prepare warrants and statements for use in court and appeal hearings etc, and attend court to give evidence where required.
  2. Assist in the preparation and presentation of technical reports, case histories and reports for committee’s etc, the service area and other service areas within the Council, as directed. Assist in delivery of presentations and displays. Assist in the development of service area strategies for work programmes, other targets and improving customer awareness. Carry out liaison with customers, contractor and other appropriate housing staff to ensure all relevant issues are dealt with quickly or passed on to relevant persons.
  3. Such variations as may be required from time to time without changing the general character of the duties shown above or the level of responsibility entailed.

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PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title; Technical Officer

ATTRIBUTES

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ESSENTIAL

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DESIRABLE

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METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

Knowledge/Qualifications

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  • ONC/TEC or equivalent in Building Studies
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  • HNC or equivalent in Building Studies
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  • Application Form
  • Certificates

Work related experience, skills and competencies /
  • Building work snagging and defects identification and reporting
  • Experience in dealing with tenants, contractors, agencies and other staff.
  • Experience of dealing with telephone enquiries and the general public
  • Building construction, inspection of buildingsand site supervision
  • Identifying building defects & specifying appropriate remedies.
  • Good knowledge of current building related legislation and regulations
  • Good knowledge of current health and safety legislation
  • Experience of working on computer databases and producing spreadsheets
  • Experience of producing reports using MS Word.
  • Accuracy and attention to detail
  • Ability to prioritise own workload
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  • Housing. Building control and planning legislation experience
  • Energy Efficiency advice and improvement techniques
  • Ability to understand technical data and reports
  • Ability to interpret & apply legislative requirements
  • Preparation of Schedules
  • Benefits/ Means Testing
  • Enforcement, evidence gathering and court work
  • Local Authority or RSL experience
  • Knowledge of gas and electrical related regulations
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  • Application Form
  • Interview

Personal skills /
  • Able to work effectively alone & in a team
  • Adaptable and able to absorb new ideas
  • Assertiveness
  • Appreciation of the need for confidentiality
  • Ability to carry out work under pressure and to maintain quality of work
  • Demonstrates effective presentation skills
  • Ability to work to deadlines
  • Proven good communication skills
  • Proven good record keeping skills
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  • Good knowledge of local government policies and procedures.
  • Good knowledge of disability legislation
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  • Application Form
  • Interview

Special working conditions /
  • Able to climb ladders and work off scaffolds
  • Able to work outside in all weather conditions
  • Able to manually lift reasonable weights.
  • Able to work with drainage
  • Able to observe to an adequate standard for inspection services
  • Flexibility regarding hours
  • Holds current driving licence
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  • Application Form
  • Interview