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, like problem-solving and enjoy working with IT? As a building standards officer for the local authority, you'll be playing a vital role in the quality of our built environment.
This job makes sure building projects meet required regulations and standards. You'll use your technical knowledge to check plans and inspect work. This helps keep people safe. It's rewarding work to see a project finish, knowing you helped build it right.
You could be examining blueprints, visiting construction sites or advising developers on regulations. These roles are primarily within local government. Most officers do a bit of everything, but some might focus more on houses, businesses or how buildings are built.
You’ll 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.
Your tasks might include:
assessing submitted building plans for compliance
visiting construction sites to check work in progress
advising builders and developers on building regulations
investigating reports of unsafe building practices
keeping up to date with changes in legislation
writing reports on inspections and findings
Green job
In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. You might:
assess plans for energy efficiency
check the use of sustainable building materials
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
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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:
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Design and Technology
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Engineering Science
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Maths (Mathematics)
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Physics
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Practical Craft Skills
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Civil Engineering
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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.
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:
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. 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:
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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