The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
We are looking to recruit a Building Inspector, offering a fantastic opportunity for candidates at different stages of their Building Control career to join a supportive and professional local authority service. Building Control plays a vital role in ensuring buildings are safe, accessible, energy efficient and compliant with legislation. You’ll be part of a dedicated team delivering a high-quality, customer-focused service, providing impartial advice and guidance to residents, developers and professionals.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.
About the role:
Building Inspector: £37,280 to £41,771 + £8,000 Market Supplement = £45,280 to £49,771 Per year
Senior Building Inspector: £42,839 to £47,181 + £8,000 Market Supplement = £50,839 to £55,181 Per year
As a key member of our Building Control Team, you’ll carry out inspections on a variety of building projects - ranging from domestic extensions to major commercial developments - to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations and associated legislation.
You will:
- Conduct site inspections and advise developers, builders, and homeowners on meeting Building Regulation requirements.
- Assess plans and specifications for compliance with regulations.
- Investigate reports of dangerous structures and contribute to enforcement actions when necessary.
- Provide technical advice and excellent customer service to clients, colleagues, and external partners.
The Building Control Team at Reading comprises a Team Leader Building Inspector, a Principal Building Inspector, a Plans Checker, an Assistant and two Trainee Building Inspectors with a Business Support Team.
About you:
We are looking for someone with substantial experience in Building Control, gained through working across a diverse range of projects including residential, commercial, and complex developments. We can offer Inspectors the opportunity to work on HRB’s and work towards registration at Level 3 & 4.
As a Building Control Inspector you will have a thorough understanding of the Building Regulations and associated legislation, with demonstrated competence at Level 2.
Candidates must be registered with the Building Safety Regulator at a minimum level of 2a.
At this level, you will also be expected to support the development of junior staff by providing supervision, mentoring, and technical guidance, and may be called upon to represent the team in meetings with developers, contractors, and other stakeholders.
Reading offers the opportunity for Inspectors to be able to work towards Registration Level 3 for RBIs, with several large-scale developments underway, including projects where we are supporting the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
About Reading:
Reading is a vibrant town subject to considerable development growth and that brings with it a large and varied case load for the building control team. Ranging from major commercial and community development to more routine domestic and business construction projects. This is an exciting opportunity to join our team at a time of significant changes in the Building Control profession.
You will be based in our Civic Offices (although working from home is not discouraged) in an open office working alongside others in the Planning, Transport and Public Protection Service. This enables co-working to happen naturally and provides a friendly and collaborative working environment.
The success of the team relies on every individual playing their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you will work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer:
We offer support to grow and develop your career with in-house training and the opportunity to attend continuing professional development events. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged and your ideas for business improvement listened to.
A competitive salary is offered alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 after 5 years service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact the Building Control Team Leader – Paul Boland via email: [email protected] or via phone: 07977 632 962
Closing Date: Sunday 23rd August 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
