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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) are the public sectors property valuation experts and advisers. We offer a whole host of learning and development opportunities to support your career development.
Were looking for talented people who are eager to contribute to vital public services and assist us to deliver taxation and benefits support to the government and local authorities. Your skills and experience will enable us to provide an efficient, effective service right at the heart of the public interest.
At the heart of the agency, we are committed to providing our people with a work environment which is accommodating and accessible to all and which values diversity and inclusion in everything we do. We encourage our people to bring their whole selves to work by providing a culture that values different perspectives to help tackle complex problems, promote innovation and deliver stronger decision making in a safe and supportive environment. We therefore welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds to join our organisation and enable us to be representative of the communities we serve.
Job description
Chartered Valuation Surveyor Council Tax Technical Lead – The Role
Our Technical Leads provide Council Tax (CT) Advice to colleagues across the CT network on complex casework and technical support. You will be a technical expert within Council Tax with a natural ability to coach and nurture colleagues undertaking professional qualifications.
As a key member of the CT Management Team, you will bring a passion and enthusiasm to develop our future leaders and identify opportunities for development, growth, and improvement.
The successful candidates will be part of a Council Tax Technical Team and will be peer managed by the Team Leader of the Technical Team. You will encourage collaboration and innovation within the team to ensure effective communication and enable continuous improvement.
The Council Tax Unit is newly formed and is an exciting environment to work in. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly experienced team to provide support and upskill within the business, whilst allowing you to share your own knowledge and experience to bring a new perspective to the organisation.
We are eager to hear from experienced Valuation Surveyors with in-depth Council Tax experience, who will be able to demonstrate knowledge of a broad range of Domestic Properties through to Valuation Tribunal.
We trust our people and look forward to welcoming your skills into our Surveying Community.
Responsibilities
- Giving prompt and accurate technical advice and guidance to all staff and managers within the Unit.
- Undertaking coaching and support for staff as they progress through their Council Tax casework journey. This includes the role of Counsellor and Supervisor to those progressing through Professional Development.
- Attending Valuation Tribunal and High Court hearings for appropriate high risk or technical cases where they will represent the Listing Officers.
- Compiling detailed escalation reports for the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Directors and Stakeholders.
- Compiling reports for the Litigation and Settlement Review Panel and Board as required.
- Liaising with stakeholders both in the Agency and outside representing the Listing Officer and CT Lead.
- Highlighting risk to the Team Leader, SLT and CT Lead as appropriate and at pace.
Person specification
We are looking for someone who has strong, proven, technical and operational knowledge in CT, with a clear, in depth understanding of Legislation and Caselaw in all areas covered by the Council Tax Team
The successful candidate will have the ability to ensure that technical advice is given in a timely and accurate manner and have the ability to communicate with a broad range of Stakeholders internally and externally. Building and engaging with internal and external networks will be required, as will the ability to share professional knowledge and experience to develop others.
The successful candidate will have knowledge of report presentations to Board, Litigation and Settlement Review Panels. They will have an ability to create full escalation reports for CT Leads and Directors
The role requires someone who is proactive, ensuring appropriate Horizon scanning to keep Technical Council Tax knowledge up to date and be able to use this knowledge effectively to provide advice and guidance to their teams.
To be successful in role you must be able demonstrate a personal and professional commitment to the Surveying Profession by actively participating in and promoting professional activities. This will be undertaken though a commitment to accept and act on feedback, build on existing skills, develop new ones and encourage and influence others to do the same.
Essential Requirements
- MRICS/FRICS or IRRV (hons) qualified in the valuation or real estate pathways.
- A strong level of technical knowledge, including the application of relevant legislation, case law, and codes of practice and professional RICS standards.
- A full UK driving licence. There will be a requirement to travel as part of this role.
- Strong leadership and communication skills, being able to inspire and motivate to deliver objectives and continuously improve individual and business performance.
- Experience of delivering projects or services to high quality standards using effective prioritisation skills to manage competing demands.
- A good working knowledge of Technical Valuation Tribunal presentations, representing Listing Officers.
- The ability to apply problem-solving techniques, sound technical and professional judgement, discretion and independent decision-making. Experience of working in an Operational Delivery environment with strong business awareness.
Licences
Qualifications
Memberships
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Technical questions will be asked at interview
Benefits
£14,321 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
The VOA operates a Flexible Working policy, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments.
The VOA also operates Hybrid Working your role will be a combination of office and home working.
We offer a generous leave allowance that starts at 25 days and goes up to 30 days after 5 years service.
- Pay In the last few years, we have increased both the minimum and maximum pay points for everyone in the VOA.
- Pension – We make contributions to our colleagues Alpha pension equal to approximately 27% of their salary. Please click on this link for further information Civil Service Pension
- Family friendly policies Our maternity, adoption or shared parental leave encompasses 26 weeks with full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid at your discretion. We also offer paternity leave of 4 weeks at full pay.
- Personal support We offer extensive special leave to help balance your life and work commitments, a variety of non-financial rewards (including a Cycle to Work scheme of up to £4000) and we work with professional providers to provide occupational health and full mental and physical wellbeing services.
- Coaching and development We are committed to continuous professional and personal development. You will be supported by colleagues with a wealth of knowledge and experience to continually grow in your role.
- Essential Equipment – VOA will support everyone to get additional essential kit and equipment, to make sure they have a suitable and safe home working environment.
Download the Employee Value Proposition for full details of the benefits of being a VOA employee at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/valuation-office-agency/about/recruitment
Things you need to know
Selection process details
If you can meet our person requirements above we are keen to hear from you.
To apply for this post, you must complete an online application with the following:
- A CV setting out your Job History, Full Qualifications, Previous skills and experiences.
- You will need to complete a personal statement, no more than 750 words, explaining how your personal skills and qualities to provide evidence of your suitability for the role. Please pay particular attention to the Person Specification and Essential Criteria in the advert when providing your answer.
Sift – W/C 18th September 2023 (Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change.)
- We will assess you on your CV and Personal Statement.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview.
Interviews – W/C 9th October 2023 (Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change.) These will be confirmed should you be invited to interview.
Interviews are currently taking place using Microsoft Teams Video. We will provide more detail if you are shortlisted for interview.
- We will assess you on the Behaviours listed in the job description, technical and strengths.
At the interview, the panel can then probe further and ask applicants to provide further specific examples that show how they best demonstrate their skills.
Behaviours
The distinguishing Behaviours (the required skills, knowledge and behaviours) for this role are set out in the Civil Service Behaviours Framework 2018 (Success Profiles – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) and should be referred to when making this application.
You are required, under the Behaviours approach, to describe how you have dealt with a specific situation.
You must give evidence of your knowledge, skills and behaviours and how you have applied this, such as what you did or said and how you interacted with other people.
When you are giving your examples, do not spend too many words on description and background information. Avoid using general or unspecific statements. Instead say what the situation was, what you did what your thought process was and so on.
As part of the application process you will be asked to tell us which of the locations available, you can work in. You will be able to specify up to 3 options.
Some sites are difficult to access via public transport and therefore a full UK Driving Licence is essential to the role. However, if you are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 and do not hold a full driving licence, we will consider your application. Please contact resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk with your details to discuss this further.
Any move to VOA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
VOA employees only: If you are currently in receipt of DTA as a result of a VOA office closure/restructure and it is agreed for you to take up this role in your current location, you may continue to receive DTA for the remainder of the period you can claim for. Please check with the Vacancy Holder on preferred locations for this role before you apply.
The VOA is an office-based organisation, however as all of our roles have aspects which can be completed from home, all colleagues have the ability to work a hybrid working pattern. The amount that colleagues work from home or office is defined by several factors including the nature of the work they carry out, the needs of their stakeholders, their development needs and personal circumstances such as caring responsibilities. To learn more about the hybrid working arrangements that could be available in this role, please contact the vacancy holder.
Pre-employment Checks
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Terms & Conditions
Voluntary terms apply.
Please note that the VOA has updated its terms and conditions of employment as part of Civil Service Reform. For more information on how this will affect you, please see attached FAQ document.
Reserve Lists
If we have more successful candidates than available vacancies, we will hold a 12-month reserve list as standard.
During that time, we may use the list to fill the same, or similar roles with closely matching essential criteria, without further testing of merit. Any appointments from the Reserve list will be made in strict merit order
Starting Work
The successful candidate will normally take up duty within one month from notification of successful completion of pre-employment checks.
Applying
All applications for these vacancies must be made online. There are limited exceptions to this. Paper applications will only be considered if you have a disability that will prevent you from applying online. If this is the case, please email voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Once you have submitted your application it cannot be amended; only submit your application when you have completely finished and answered all the relevant questions.
Please note that late applications will not be accepted.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Concerns/Complaints
The Valuation Office Agencys recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, you may make a complaint, by contacting the Central Recruitment Team at the following address resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk
If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint you have the right to complain to the Civil Service Commissioners.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Rich Mercer
- Email : richard.h.mercer@voa.gov.uk
- Telephone : 03000 505 346
Recruitment team
- Email : VOARecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
