We have an excellent opportunity for a Principal Building Control Officer who will be primarily responsible for the management of the Operational Team.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

The Principal Building Control Officer (Operations) will be responsible for the management of the Building Control operational team, ensuring the effective delivery of statutory processes.

In doing so, you will, under the supervision of the Building Control Manager, manage a team of officers to ensure the effective daily allocation of workloads, provide advice to these Officers and assist the Building Control Manager in compiling accurate performance data for the service.

You will also play a lead role in formulating service improvement initiatives specific to the Building Control service, and assist the Building Control Manager in engaging customers—including the public, elected members, communities, applicants, stakeholders and the development industry—in the Building Control service.

Additionally, you will assist in the preparation and monitoring of county-wide processes and procedures for service delivery, and in the marketing and promotion of the service to all developers and stakeholders.

You will be responsible for delivering the service transparently and accountably, with full public and community engagement, through formal decision-making processes described by the Council.

Further responsibilities include accountability for service delivery as outlined by duties delegated by the Council.

More information about working in our Building Control Team can be found at https://www.durham.gov.uk/WorkingInBuildingControl

You may contact Michael Howarth, Building Control Manager, via email at michael.howarth@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

WHAT WILL I NEED?

You will hold a professional qualification (RICS or ABE) or an equivalent professional qualification and be working towards or hold a Building Inspector Competence Framework (BICoF) Class 3 registration.

You will have significant recent experience of Building Control Services at a senior level and significant experience in dealing with large and complex Building Control Projects.

You should have up-to-date knowledge of administering the Council’s responsibilities relating to Dangerous Structures and Demolitions, and of Safety at Sports Grounds legislation.

Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews will be held week commencing 26 January 2026.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who meet all essential criteria and have indicated that they have a disability, are a looked-after young person, a care leaver or a veteran.

OUR OFFER TO YOU

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), and membership of the contributory career average local government pension scheme.

Our rewards also include a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits-if-you-work-for-us

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

HOW TO APPLY

Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted.

For guidance on completing your application, visit our website https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/2083/How-to-apply-for-a-job-with-us

If you require assistance when applying for this role, contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27 or via email RecruitmentREG@durham.gov.uk.

We welcome applications from disabled people and those who are or consider themselves to be neurodivergent.

All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.

CONNECT WITH US

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Visit our website durham.gov.uk/jobsandcareerswithus

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