Technical surveyor Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

Technical surveyors (also known as surveying technicians) carry out a range of tasks to support chartered surveyors, architects and engineers. They work across all branches of surveying, including building, land, planning, quantity, general practice and minerals.

As a technical surveyor, your duties would vary according to your area of work, but could include:

• draughting plans, using computer-aided design (CAD) software
• estimating and drawing up project costs
• gathering and analysing data as the basis for plans and reports
• assisting with environmental impact assessments
• surveying buildings or mapping land use, using precision measuring instruments
• valuing land, property and machinery for purchase, sale, taxation and insurance purposes
• organising the sale of assets by auction
• supervising construction operatives on site
• scheduling workloads and monitoring the progress of projects.

Some of your work would involve administrative duties, for instance writing reports for managers and clients, and helping to put together contracts, tenders and bids.

Hours

Your normal working hours would be 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, earlier starts, late finishes and weekend working can be common, depending on the project.

Your time would be split between office and on-site work.

Income

• Starting salaries can be between £15,000 and £17,000 a year
• Experienced staff can earn up to £30,000.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

There are various routes to becoming a technical surveyor.

You could find an Apprenticeship with a surveying practice or construction firm. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit the Apprenticeships website.

• Apprenticeships

Alternatively, you could take a college course, to learn some of the skills needed for the job. Relevant courses include the BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Construction and the National Certificate/Diploma in Civil Engineering.

You could also consider higher level qualifications, such as a BTEC HNC/HND in Construction, and foundation degrees in surveying, construction or civil engineering.

To search for foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees visit the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.

• Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

The Chartered Surveyors Training Trust (CSTT) offers annual surveying traineeships with ongoing support for suitable applicants. Visit the CSTT website for more details.

• Chartered Surveyors Training Trust (CSTT)

For more details about surveying as a career, see the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) website.

• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Training and development

Once you are working, you could take further training to improve your career prospects. NVQs are available, relating to the different surveying branches, including:

• Surveying, Property and Maintenance Level 3
• Built Environment Development and Control level 3.

If you are working in surveying with a minimum of a BTEC HNC/HND or equivalent qualification, you may be able to register for the Assessment of Technical Competence (ATC) scheme administered by RICS. The scheme normally takes at least two years, with an interim assessment at 12 months, and leads to Technical Surveyor (TechRICS) status. Contact RICS for details.

The College of Estate Management (CEM) offers a range of surveying qualifications at various levels through distance learning. Some courses require you to have a relevant work placement. For more information visit the CEM website.

• College of Estate Management (CEM)

Skills and knowledge

• good problem-solving skills
• an aptitude for maths
• good IT skills, especially for CAD work
• a methodical approach to work
• the ability to organise your own workload
• an understanding of Building Regulations and other relevant legislation
• good communication and negotiating skills
• good technical ability.

More information

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Parliament Square
London
SW1P 3AD
Tel: 0207 334 3875
www.rics.org

College of Estate Management
Whiteknights
Reading
Berkshire
RG6 6AW
Tel: 0800 019 9697
www.cem.ac.uk

Chartered Surveyors Training Trust (CSTT)
New Broad Street House
35 New Broad Street
London
EC2M 1NH
Tel: 020 7194 7952
www.cstt.org.uk

Opportunities

You can find jobs with central and local government, construction firms and surveying companies. Financial institutions, auction houses, and antique and art dealerships also employ technical surveyors.

Your progression options include self-employment as a consultant, or going into partnership with a chartered surveyor. You could move into managerial roles, or related jobs like town planner or wayleave officer, where you would negotiate land purchase and access arrangements for utility companies.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):

• RICS Recruit
• LGjobs