Working in Engineering & Construction

The following occupations provide professional services on energy management, fire precautions, interior design and property management. They are also involved in the design and construction of a large range of new buildings, as well as the maintenance of the existing buildings owned by us.

Quantity Surveyor
A Quantity Surveyor is responsible for all matters relating to costs of building projects from inception to completion. The main duties include estimates for budgets, cost advice to designers, anticipated cash flow, investment appraisals, life cycle costing, advice on forms of contract and tender procurement, measurement from drawings for tender documentation, reporting on tenders received, valuation work completed by contractor and cost control during construction, and agreement of final accounts with the contractor.

A Quantity Surveyor needs to be methodical, possess effective communication and numeracy skills, and be able to work as part of a team. They also need to have a high degree of reliability and self motivation. Initial qualification is achieved usually at an accredited university, either by day release or full-time, to obtain a BSc Degree and subsequently after two years in full-time employment to pass a test of professional competence.

Career progression to a senior post requires you to become a Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. For more information contact the Institute at the following address: 12 Great George Street, Parliament Square, London SW1P 3AD. Tel: 020 7222 7000. www.rics.org.uk

Building Surveyor
Building Surveyors are responsible for providing a building maintenance, alterations and improvements service for the building stock of the Authority and are employed in Strategic Property, Resources Department and in both the Design Consultancy and Contracting Division within the Environment Department.

The job encompasses planned maintenance and refurbishment of small new buildings or extensions. The surveyor is responsible for projects from feasibility to completion, these duties include site surveys, preparation of drawings and specifications, estimating and tendering through to site supervision and the final account. In addition there is defect analysis, maintenance/structural surveys and report writing.

Our normal entry level is BTEC HNC in a relevant Building Construction subject plus 3 years experience. To become a Chartered Building Surveyor you need to have studied to degree level or equivalent in a subject recognised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and to have satisfied their entry requirements (usually by the way of a two year assessment of competence).

More information can be obtained from:- The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, 12 Great George Street, Parliament Square, London SW1P 3AD. Tel: 020 7222 7000 www.rics.org.uk

Other essential requirements include a sound knowledge of the Building Regulations and Statutory Health and Safety legislation, organisational and analytical skills, self motivation, a confident manner and good communication.

Electrical And Mechanical Engineers
Electrical and Mechanical Engineers design services in buildings and are part of the Design Consultancy. An Electrical Engineer designs the electrical services for a project e.g. the lighting, fire alarm, information technology and security systems. A Mechanical Engineer designs the mechanical services e.g. heating, ventilation and water systems.

The Engineers are responsible for the work from receipt of the brief to completion of the project. The main duties of these jobs include preparing designs, drawings, specifications, estimates of costs and tenders. They also supervise the work on site and prepare records and reports.

You will need to study or possess a BTEC National or Higher National Certificate in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.

It is essential for these Engineers to have good organisational and analytical skills, the ability to work on their own initiative and have a confident manner. Good communication skills are also vital.

Highway Project Engineers
The work of Project Engineers in the Highway Division is mainly concerned with the safety, management, maintenance and improvement of Nottinghamshire’s road network. This work may involve the design, construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, however, increasingly important areas of work are development control, accident prevention and traffic engineering.

Project Engineers play an important role in meeting the needs of our customers, the road users and residents of Nottinghamshire.

Project Engineers are involved in all stages of a highway project from surveys and condition investigations, preparing designs, drawings and specifications to supervising the construction teams on site to ensure the quality of work and its completion to time and cost.

The Project Engineer needs to develop a good level of technical, information technology and problem solving skills, and will be able to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues.

Project Engineers are encouraged to gain a professional qualification recognised by the Engineering Council. This involves becoming a Chartered Engineer, an Incorporated Engineer or a Technician Engineer with an engineering institution such as the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). The Highways Division is able to offer a Training Scheme, approved by the ICE, which will help staff to achieve professional status.

Mathematics and Physics are the most usual ‘A’ Level subjects for entry on to a MEng or BEng degree course with IT, Geography, Geology or Chemistry as useful third choices. Technician membership can be achieved with GNV (Advanced), BTEC National Certificate or a work related NVQ at level 3.

After about 5 years working as a Project Engineer the next step is to become a Principal Project Engineer, where you will take greater responsibility for projects and more junior staff. This progression is dependent on becoming a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer and being able to demonstrate technical and managerial competence. For further information the address of the Institution of Civil Engineers is: 1 Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA. www.ice.org.uk

For more information on the above four occupations only please contact our Environment Department Personnel on: (0115) 977 4466.

Architects
The role of an Architect is to ensure good design, technical standards and effective management of projects within the many requirements laid down by the Authority. Duties include co-ordinating the work of a design team, preparation of feasibility studies, carrying out sketch plans, detail design and supervision of work on site. An Architect needs to have good presentation, organisational, communication and leadership skills and have a confident and self motivated disposition.

To become an Architect you need to have attained the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Part 3 qualification and be registered with ARB (Architects’ Registration Board). More information can be obtained by contacting the following: The Royal Institute of British Architects, 66, Portland Place, London W1B 1AD. Tel: 020 7580 5533. www.architecture.com

The Architects’ Registration Board, 8 Weymouth Street, London, W1W 5BU. www.arb.org.uk

The training is provided by universities and usually takes seven years to complete (including 2 years spent in an Architect’s office).

Architects work within the Design Consultancy of the Environment Department. Career Progression opportunities are at Team Leader level - responsible for all architectural work allocated to a Group of Professional and Technical staff. Progression to this post is dependent on being able to demonstrate relevant and varied experience and managerial ability.

For further information on the above occupation telephone our Design Consultancy, Environment Department on: (0115) 977 3262.

Strategic Property
The work of the Strategic Property function within the County Council consists of professionally qualified land and property specialists who carry out a number of activities relating to our ownership of land and property. This area of work is currently undergoing some changes, the results of which will be reflected in the next update of this Careers Pack. In the meantime anyone requiring information on occupations associated with land and property should contact our Resources Departmental Personnel on (0115) 977 3489 or (0115) 977 3850.