Property Inspector – District Valuer Services South

Role overview

HM Revenue & Customs is hiring for its Valuation Office, which has now joined HMRC following its former identity as the Valuation Office Agency. The team provides public-sector property valuation expertise and advice, supporting the collection of more than £60 billion in revenue that funds communities across England and Wales.

This opportunity sits within the Department for Education Net Capacity Assessment (NCA) Programme in England. The post is available across Bristol, Cambridge, Croydon, Eastbourne, Norwich, Oxford, Southampton and Wembley. There is one vacancy in each location, with two openings in both Oxford and Cambridge.

What the role involves

As a Property Inspector, you will visit and measure primary schools, gather consistent and accurate data, and record details that support the NCA Programme. Typical work includes capturing room sizes, understanding how spaces are used, and following the methodology supplied by the Department for Education. Full training will be provided.

A normal week is expected to include around two school inspections, with the rest of the time spent arranging future visits and producing reports. Each inspection generally takes a full day. Schools are issued in three-month blocks, giving you flexibility to organise your own schedule. Hybrid working applies, with three days per week in the office; inspection days count towards that requirement.

The job requires regular travel, usually within about an hour of your office or home location, though some journeys may be longer. The work is physically demanding and involves long periods on school sites while carrying equipment, so flexibility and stamina are important.

Key duties

• Carry out inspection and measurement assignments as directed by the Team Manager.
• Plan and schedule inspections in three-month cycles while balancing workload, leave and personal commitments.
• Record accurate on-site measurements using specialist IT software.
• Use Microsoft 365 tools, iPads and iPhones to capture inspection information.
• Identify property characteristics in line with Net Capacity Methodology.
• Take part in quality assurance activity to maintain dependable data.
• Complete basic peer review checks for colleagues.
• Work professionally with schools and other stakeholders, representing the NCA Programme appropriately at all times.
• Conduct inspections independently for most primary schools, or alongside another inspector for larger sites where needed.
• Make decisions within set guidelines under the technical direction of the Team Manager and Project Lead.
• Record daily activity to support accurate client invoicing.
• Help the programme meet key milestones.

Candidate profile

HMRC is seeking property professionals with experience in inspecting and measuring buildings and a good understanding of working in such environments. The ideal applicant will be organised, self-motivated, comfortable working independently, and able to communicate well with a wide range of people while keeping delivery on schedule.

Essential requirements

• Practical experience measuring large buildings with a laser measuring device, plus the ability to read plans and accurately capture survey information.
• Either knowledge of NCA methodology or evidence that you have successfully worked with a complex methodology before.
• Strong organisation and self-motivation, with a track record of meeting deadlines and programme milestones.
• Good analytical judgement and interpretive ability to collect precise, consistent data.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office 365 applications.
• Clear communication skills, both spoken and written, with people from different backgrounds.
• Proven ability to build collaborative working relationships with colleagues and a broad range of stakeholders, including government bodies, local authorities, responsible bodies and schools.
• Willingness to travel regularly for inspections and client meetings, and to adapt to the geographic spread of the programme.

Licence and pre-employment checks

A full UK driving licence is required because the role involves frequent travel across designated regions. If you are disabled under the Equality Act 2010 and do not hold a full driving licence, HMRC says it will still consider your application; you should contact resourcingteamvo@hmrc.gov.uk before submitting your application.

Successful candidates must also complete an enhanced DBS check as part of pre-employment screening.

Assessment process

The vacancy uses the Success Profiles framework and will assess behaviours, experience, ability and technical skills. The behaviours being tested are Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace and Working Together. The technical area assessed is knowledge and application of property inspection skills.

The process begins with an online application stage and an online Civil Service Numerical Test. Candidates are advised to complete the test within 24–48 hours of invitation. The test deadline is 23:55 on 20 July 2026, and failure to complete it by then will result in withdrawal of the application. There is scheduled maintenance on the test system between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on 19 July 2026, during which access will be unavailable. If a test is in progress when maintenance starts, progress will pause and can be resumed once the system is back online.

If shortlisted, applicants will move to the final application stage, which requires a CV detailing job history and previous skills and experience, plus a personal statement of up to 750 words explaining suitability against the person specification and essential criteria. The sift date is 21 July 2026 and the interview date is 10 August 2026; both are provisional. Interviews are currently being held via Microsoft Teams video. Candidates will be assessed on behaviours and technical questions.

Working arrangements and benefits

HMRC offers flexible and hybrid working where operationally possible and will consider requests for more flexible arrangements. The role includes a Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension with an employer contribution of at least 28.97% of salary. HMRC also states that it contributes £10,916 toward pension membership alongside the advertised salary of £37,682. Additional benefits include family-friendly policies, personal support, coaching and development, and a leave allowance starting at 25 days a year and increasing by one day for each year of qualifying service up to 30 days.

Artificial intelligence guidance

HMRC notes that artificial intelligence can be used to support an application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate and based on the applicant’s own experience. Applications may be withdrawn, and internal candidates may face disciplinary action, if plagiarism or misrepresentation is identified.

Additional notes

The organisation encourages applicants who meet the person requirements to apply. The role is part of a national programme with significant travel expectations and requires an independent, organised and quality-focused approach to inspection work.