Boundary Wall Surveyor – The Royal Parks, Richmond
Job title: Building Surveyor (Boundary Walls).
Based: Holly Lodge, Richmond Park, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 5HS and White Lodge, The Stockyard, Bushy Park, Hampton Court Road, Hampton Hill, Middlesex, TW12 2EJ with travel to all parks.
Salary: £46,000 – £52,000 per annum, depending on experience.
Terms: 2-year fixed term contract, full-time role, 36 hours per week. The role is primarily site-based, with an expectation of being on-site 3–4 days per week, balanced by flexibility for hybrid/agile working to support reporting and project coordination.
26 days annual leave plus public holidays.
Pension scheme and healthcare plan are available.
Reporting to: Senior Surveyor
Responsible for: N/A
Internal relationships: Estates and Projects, Facilities Management, and Park Operations Teams.
External relationships: Freeboard license holders, contractors, consultants, Statutory Undertakers, Local Authorities, and members of the public.
Background
The Royal Parks (TRP) is a charity that manages over 5,000 acres of diverse parkland, rare habitats and historic buildings and monuments in eight Royal Parks across London. These are: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Green Park, St James’s Park, The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park, Richmond Park and Bushy Park.
We also manage other important public spaces including Brompton Cemetery and Victoria Tower Gardens. Our eight Royal Parks and other public spaces are among the most visited attractions in the UK with tens of millions of visits every year.
Job purpose
As Boundary Wall Surveyor, you will lead the inspection, prioritisation and conservation repair of approximately 17.5km of heritage brick boundary walls across Richmond Park, Bushy Park, Greenwich Park, Brompton Cemetery and Primrose Hill. This will include responsibility for both Grade II listed and non-listed boundary walls, ensuring repairs are appropriately specified, sensitively delivered and aligned with the heritage significance of the estate.
This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a substantial portfolio of historic boundary walls enclosing some of the UK’s most iconic parks. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy, shaping inspection strategy, diagnosing defects and delivering conservation-led repair projects from survey through to completion.
Main duties/responsibilities
- Take ownership of designated boundary walls across TRP estate, working independently across multiple sites and predominantly along external boundary wall elevations, to undertake inspections, diagnose defects and progress practical repair solutions.
- Develop and implement a practical, risk-based inspection strategy, drawing on existing boundary wall condition reports to inform the survey programme and support comparative condition assessment, with prioritisation based on risk to people, property, infrastructure, heritage significance and operational requirements.
- Undertake systematic condition surveys of listed and non-listed boundary walls (primarily from the external side), assessing structural stability, public safety and defects including brickwork deterioration, pointing, copings and cappings, leaning, bulging, localised failure, vegetation growth, moisture-related decay, subsidence and unauthorised works.
- Diagnose and report defects clearly and consistently using photographs, risk ratings and structured survey data, including prioritisation, indicative cost ranges, and commentary on the extent of repairs required and recurring defect patterns.
- Prepare clear, practical and proportionate repair scopes, conservation-led specifications and tender documentation for traditional masonry and brickwork repairs.
- Manage and deliver repair works through to completion, ensuring they are carried out safely, to specification, on programme and within budget, with appropriate materials, workmanship and conservation standards.
- Support the delivery of the P1 and P2 Boundary Wall Quadrennial remedial works programme (c.£3,000–£150,000), including liaison with the Conservation Architect, Heritage Brickwork Framework Contractor and internal stakeholders.
- Collate and provide information to support planning and Listed Building Consent applications where required.
- Liaise with licensees, occupiers and neighbouring property owners to arrange access for surveys and works where walls interface with third-party land.
- Identify and report non-compliance issues relating to freehold licences to the Estates Team.
- Undertake any additional duties as required.
Selection criteria
| Experience (Essential/Desirable) | |
| Strong building surveying experience, particularly in brick masonry and defect diagnosis | E |
| Demonstratable experience in conducting condition surveys of historic assets and producing prioritised defect schedules | E |
| Experience in conservation of historic buildings, and the specification of heritage remedial works | E |
| Experience managing small to medium works projects through to completion, including contractor management, quality assurance and cost control | E |
| Familiarity with planning and listed building processes, the roles of Historic England and local planning authorities, or willingness to develop this knowledge | D |
| Experience with boundary walls, retaining walls or freeboard structures | D |
| Skills, knowledge and ability | |
| Working knowledge of Building Pathology and ability to use this to diagnose brick boundary wall defects and make remedial works recommendations | E |
| Proven ability to work independently, make decisions and manage workload across multiple sites without close supervision | E |
| Strong report writing, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills | E |
| Knowledge and experience of applying conservation guidance (e.g. BS 7913, Historic England advice) | D |
| Knowledge of procurement tendering and contract management skills with the ability to prepare tender documents and tender evaluation (NEC4 contracts) | D |
| Excellent planning and prioritisation skills with the ability to successfully strategise, categorise and prioritise based on risk | D |
| Excellent internal and external stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate effectively | D |
| Experience in public sector / charity / open space environments | |
Other
| Commitment to The Royal Parks’ values of being responsible, excellent, inclusive, open and respectful, and a commitment to supporting diverse and inclusive teams. | E |
| Full UK driving licence, or equivalent, with the ability to drive between sites as required. Pool cars are available for use | |
The Royal Parks is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and successful candidates will be appointed on merit.
The Royal Parks is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk from harm, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and follow the organisation’s policies and procedures. The Royal Parks provides an awareness training programme on Safeguarding for all staff, and further in-depth training for those working with children, young people or adults who may be at risk of harm.