Rural Surveyor

We have a wonderful opportunity for an experienced and self-motivated Rural Surveyor to join
the RSPB England’s Land Team to be based in Central and Eastern England, an operational area
extending through Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire to Staffordshire and Nottinghamshire. The
successful applicant will join an England wide team of 11 Rural Surveyors. You will have a
specific portfolio of properties in the east and west midlands to manage and will support the
wider delivery of the departmental casework as required across the Country. The location of the
role is flexible within this area.

The work will include a wide range of estate management casework to support the work programme
across England. In addition, this role will also focus on rural surveying support to specific
RSPB nature reserves and projects across the Midlands and surrounding counties. The reserves
within the area include woodlands, wetlands and peri-urban sites, they have a diverse range of
habitats, species and landscapes along with active visitor operations and facilities. Work on
these sites includes rural practice work as well as landlord and tenant leasehold arrangements
for various offices.

This role offers a varied and rewarding work programme and by providing professional advice to
staff, help to deliver our conservation and estate management objectives, minimise risk and
optimise financial returns. Key activities include:

Land and Property Management

Carrying out due diligence to identify, mitigate and manage the legal, reputational and
financial aspects of rural property over land, buildings, offices and business premises
including rent reviews, repairing obligations, landlord consents, land management contracts,
compliance with grant conditions. Advising on agricultural matters and farming systems,
agri-environment agreement work, granting leases and licences e.g. sporting, fishing, grazing,
negotiating wayleaves and easements. 

Reserve acquisition work

Appraising, negotiating and concluding acquisitions to establish new reserves, extend existing
reserves, and acquire property e.g. offices, workshops, farm buildings and residential
properties by purchase, lease or management agreement and include land and building valuations.

Land and property disposal

Appraising, advising and delivering on the acquisition of land alongside the
delivery of the disposal of land, houses, offices and properties that are surplus to
operational need.

Risk management and project support

Supporting the development and implementation of systems to manage the RSPB’s exposure to
legal, reputational and financial risk arising from its land and property operations.
Undertaking internal audits to ensure compliance with BPS and agri-environment grant
schemes. Providing professional support to Area Teams and Project Managers and assisting in the
production of codes of practice and guidance for staff.

Team working

The England Rural Surveyors work together with a strong team ethos, enthusiasm and dedication
and share professional expertise, knowledge and information at regular Team meetings. You will
work alongside the building surveyors as well as supporting the Area Managers and their teams.
You will be encouraged to be out of the office, providing professional advice to staff, to
minimise risk and optimise financial returns for the RSPB nature reserves. You will demonstrate
initiative, motivation and flair to spot income opportunities. RSPB will support you in
maintaining your RICS qualification and provide in-house and external support to meet CPD
requirements. Some site visits will involve overnight stays away from home.

Essential qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Chartered member of RICS (Rural) or another equivalent professional organisation.
• Demonstrable post qualification knowledge of estate management, land and property
  acquisition and disposal work in the rural environment.
• An up to date understanding of agricultural subsidy schemes in England and associated cross
  compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of project management principles and their application.
• Ability to clearly communicate verbally, and in writing, complex estate management issues
  to all levels within RSPB and to external audiences.
• Ability to make quick, pragmatic and practical decisions/recommendations/alternatives based
  on sound analysis and reason.
• Ability to positively influence wider audiences and demonstrate credibility both internally
  and externally.
• Ability to negotiate and achieve the required corporate outcomes. 
• An awareness of the requirements of the Charities’ Act, guidance and learning opportunities
  can be given.
• Ability to manage and prioritise high volume competing objectives, work alone and as part
  of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to travel widely including by car and public transport and this role will require
  occasional overnight stays away from home 

Closing date for applications is 13th October 2023. Dates for interview will be confirmed at a
later date.

For further information please contact – [email protected]

The RSPB is committed to training and development and will support appropriate CPD and
cover annual membership fees for one professional body e.g. RICS or CAAV.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels
supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world
richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of
colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate,
sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled,
we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any
additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer.