The Building Standards Division has an exciting opportunity for a Sustainability Policy and Technical Lead to join their supportive and inclusive team. This is a great time to join the Division, as you will directly contribute to the development of improved sustainability standards for new buildings across Scotland.

You will join a team that is responsible for the Technical Handbooks, our main publication, which set out regulatory standards and supporting guidance published to support compliance with the building regulations. You would be the policy and technical lead responsible for section 7 of the Handbooks, which covers standards addressing sustainability. It is intended to initiate a review of these standards in 2022. You will also contribute to the development of wider Scottish government policy on related issues such as climate change mitigation as well as ongoing procedural and legislative changes being progressed under the Building Standards Futures Board workstream.

The Building Standards Division is responsible for developing and maintaining the Scottish building regulations which apply to construction and their operation within the building standards system. The regulations provide assurance that building work addresses the health, safety and welfare of people in and around buildings and furthers both the conservation of fuel and power and sustainable development.

• Working collaboratively across policy teams to maintain and develop the standards and guidance on sustainability addressed within Scottish building regulations, ensuring all relevant building standards and guidance are up to date and fit for purpose.
• Stakeholder engagement and building networks including liaison with the construction industry, stakeholder groups, standards bodies, and other devolved administrations.
• Working with Scottish Government colleagues and key partner organisations on issues of shared interest.
• Advising Scottish Ministers on sustainability as a topic presented within the building regulations and providing Ministerial briefing as required.
• Responding to Ministerial correspondence, Parliamentary Questions and FOI requests.

If successful to the interview/assessment stage you will be tested on the following competencies;
• Self Awareness
• Analysis and Use of Evidence
• Communications and Engagement
• Improving Performance

A qualification at SVQ4 or above in a construction-related discipline is sought.

It is desirable that candidates also possess membership of a construction-related chartered or professional institution.

Other qualifications equivalent to these may also be acceptable, if you are in any doubt please contact to discuss.

Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.

Essential Criteria

1. Knowledge and experience of the practical application of the Scottish building standards system, including a focus on the successful delivery of sustainable buildings.
2. Strong analytical and project management skills, with experience of drawing on a range of complex data to inform decision making.
3. The ability to work collaboratively with different organisations and managing relationships with a range of internal and/or external stakeholders to successfully prioritise and deliver objectives.
4. Good communication skills, with the ability to devise and communicate key messages clearly and concisely to a wide range of audiences.

Location; This post is formally based in Denholm House, Livingston, EH54 6GA however, a hybrid working approach may be considered.

Further Information
For further information on this vacancy please download and review the “Further Information for Job Applicants” which you will find below.

Band B Person Specification

To apply, you must fully complete and submit an online application via this website before the closing date.

For information on this post please contact Victoria Bell via email at Victoria.bell@gov.scot