Property Inspector - District Valuer Services (North)

Role overview

HMRC Valuation Office, now part of HM Revenue & Customs, is looking for a Property Inspector to support the Department for Education Net Capacity Assessment (NCA) programme in England. One vacancy is available in each advertised location.

In this role, you will inspect and measure a wide range of primary schools, record accurate and consistent data, and help inform the programme’s outputs. The work includes measuring room sizes, noting how spaces are used, and following the methodology set by the Department for Education. Full training will be provided so you can work to the required standards with confidence.

A normal week is expected to involve visiting two schools, with the rest of your time spent arranging appointments and preparing reports. Inspections usually take a full day each, and school lists are issued every three months so you can manage your own schedule within those blocks. The organisation follows a hybrid pattern, with three days in the office each week; inspection days count toward that requirement.

This position involves extensive travel, usually within about an hour of your home or office, although some sites may be farther away. You should also be prepared for a physically demanding workload, as the job involves long periods on school sites while carrying equipment.

If you are well organised, accurate, self-motivated and comfortable working independently in a busy setting, this could be a strong fit.

Responsibilities

• Carry out scheduled inspection and measurement tasks assigned by the Team Manager.
• Plan inspections in three-month cycles and manage your diary around workload, leave and personal commitments.
• Collect precise measurement data on site using dedicated software tools.
• Use Microsoft 365 applications, iPads and iPhones to capture and record inspection information.
• Identify the important property characteristics in line with the Net Capacity Methodology.
• Take part in data quality checks to help maintain consistency and reliability.
• Complete basic peer-review checks on colleagues’ work.
• Work professionally with schools and other stakeholders while representing the NCA programme.
• Carry out inspections independently for most primary schools, and alongside another inspector when larger schools require it.
• Make decisions within agreed guidelines, working under the technical direction of the Team Manager and Project Lead.
• Record daily activity accurately for client invoicing purposes.
• Contribute to delivery of programme milestones.

Requirements

• Experience measuring large buildings with a laser measuring tool, plus the ability to read plans and capture survey data accurately.
• Awareness of the NCA methodology, or evidence that you can apply a complex methodology in practice.
• Strong organisation and motivation, with a track record of working to deadlines and programme milestones.
• Good analytical judgement and interpretation skills to ensure data is accurate and consistent.
• Confident using Microsoft Office 365.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills with a broad range of people.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with team members and a wide range of stakeholders, including government bodies, local authorities, responsible bodies and individual schools.
• Willingness to travel regularly for inspections and client meetings, and flexibility to support the geographical spread of the NCA programme.
• A full UK driving licence is required; however, applicants who are disabled under the Equality Act 2010 and do not hold a licence will still be considered.
• Enhanced DBS clearance will be required before employment begins.

Behaviours and assessment

You will be assessed on Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace and Working Together. The selection process also includes evaluation of experience, ability and technical skills. A numerical test is required after the first stage of application, followed by a CV and personal statement sift, and then interview for shortlisted candidates. Interviews are currently held by Microsoft Teams video.

The personal statement must be no more than 750 words and should explain why you are suitable for the role, using examples that show how you meet the person specification and essential criteria. If there is a large number of applications, the first sift may be based on the CV.

Technical skills

Knowledge and practical application of property inspection skills will be tested during selection.

Working arrangements

HMRC operates flexible and hybrid working arrangements. Colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office, although roles that allow it may permit up to 2 days working from home each week, averaged over a calendar month. Inspection days count toward the office requirement.

Benefits

Your salary is £37,682, and HMRC contributes £10,916 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. The employer contribution to the Alpha pension is at least 28.97% of salary.

Other benefits include family-friendly policies, personal support, coaching and development, and a generous leave allowance starting at 25 days and rising by one day per year of qualifying service up to 30 days.

Additional information

This vacancy is part of HMRC Valuation Office, formerly known as the Valuation Office Agency, which has recently integrated into HMRC. The team’s work supports the collection of more than £60 billion of revenue that is invested back into communities across England and Wales.

Applicants should note that artificial intelligence may be used to support an application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, based on the applicant’s own experience, and not plagiarised or presented as someone else’s work. Applications may be withdrawn if plagiarism is identified, and internal candidates may face disciplinary action.

Current apprentices should email the resourcing team before applying to check whether their apprenticeship can continue.

Reasonable adjustments are available for candidates who need support during the recruitment process. Applicants should contact the recruitment team as soon as possible before the closing date and complete the relevant assistance section in the application form.

Application and selection timeline

After submitting the first stage of the application, candidates will be invited to complete an online Civil Service Numerical Test. The test should be completed as soon as possible, and the deadline is 23:55 on 20 July 2026. The vacancy closes on the same date, and the final stage of the application must also be completed by then. Scheduled maintenance will take place between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on 19 July 2026, during which new tests cannot be launched.

Provisional sift dates are 27 July 2026 to 29 July 2026. Provisional interview date is 13 August 2026. If shortlisted, you will be assessed on behaviours and technical questions, and the panel may ask follow-up questions to explore your experience in more detail.

How to apply

You will need to submit a CV covering your job history, previous skills and experience, along with a personal statement explaining your suitability for the post.