Building standards officer (local authority)
Make sure that people involved in construction projects know how to build safely. You'd also advise them on sustainable construction practices.
Also known as: building standards surveyor
About the job
What it's like
Do you have an interest in buildings, construction and keeping people safe? Do you have good attention to detail, are able to problem solve and enjoy working with IT? If so, a job as a building standards officer may be for you.
You’d work with members of the public, architects, designers, builders and engineers as they plan and construct building projects ranging from a small house extension to a large-scale development.
In this role, you would:
assess building plans and specifications to determine compliance with building regulations
prepare and issue technical reports to designers and architects
work with designers and architects to find the best solutions for their clients
visit sites to inspect building work during development
liaise with developers and their clients as work progresses
work with a building project applicant to make sure the work meets the Scottish building regulations
make sure buildings meet standards around energy efficiency
make sure construction uses sustainable materials to minimise the impact on the environment
make sure developments consider sustainability in all aspects of construction
survey buildings damaged by fire or bad weather and advise the owners how to make it safe, or approve its demolition
on occasion, check the safety at public venues such as sports grounds, open-air events, cinemas and theatres and authorise entertainment licences for events in terms of electrical work, structures and fire safety
Green job
In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.
Hours
You'd normally work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You may sometimes be on a 24-hour call-out rota, for example if the emergency services needed you to inspect an unstable building.
Environment
You'll usually split your time between the office and site visits. You can be on site in all weather conditions and some jobs may involve working at heights on scaffolding or ladders.
Travel
You're likely to travel between your local authority office and the location of the building work.
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Energy Construction and built environment
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- understanding
- analysing
- negotiating
- making decisions
- researching
- questioning
- observation
- written communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Design and Technology
Engineering Science
Maths (Mathematics)
Physics
Practical Craft Skills
Foundation Apprenticeship: Civil Engineering
Applications of Mathematics
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you’ll need. Not all employers list specific qualification requirements but they do ask for relevant experience, usually work based.
You can develop the necessary skills for this role through a variety of routes.
Many Building Standard Officers will have qualifications in subjects, such as:
Building surveying
Structural/Civil engineering
Architecture
Construction management
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships let you work and earn while you gain skills and qualifications in the workplace. There are lots of different options in this area.
Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) are chosen as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 but include hands-on learning at a local employer or college. They are the same level as a Higher.
You might want to consider an FA in areas such as:
civil engineering
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.
You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
construction: Building
construction: Technical
construction: Civil engineering
project management
Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) are designed for industry and you'll spend most of your time learning on the job but you'll also go to uni or college. You'll get a job, get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.
You might want to consider a GA in areas such as:
construction and the built environment
civil engineering
Anyone considering a Building Standards career who already has a trade in construction or a construction background may find conversion courses are a suitable route into the profession, with other support being available to them whilst in post.
Qualifications that show experience with the built environment and construction.
A driving licence is useful.
As public service professionals work with public safety at the heart of everything they do, you'd be expected to engage in regular continual professional development (CPD). This means you can:
learn new skills and specialisms to enhance your career
stay proficient and competent
adjust to industry disruption and challenges
Professional Bodies
A number of professional bodies recognise Building Standards as a profession. Many of the skills required in the Building Standards profession can be accredited by professional bodies. Professional bodies also offer courses to improve skills and knowledge. These bodies are:
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) • Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) • Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) • Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) • Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) • Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)
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