Job Details
Skills And Tools:
Job Description
01. The Positions Offered
TSA are currently looking to fill positions for:
- Junior Quantity Surveyors (online Measurement Specialist) - to train at levels 2, 3 and 4 with the option to progress to level 6
02. The Work of a Measurement Specialist
TSA prepares measurement schedules (bills of quantities) from DWG, PDF and BIM documents. This process requires that the applicant(s) can, after training:
- Understand architectural designs, plans and specifications etc. (produced to UK standards).
- Identify and record any errors or omissions they find in those documents.
- Use specialist measurement and markup software to measure the works (this also requires that trainees can: find, select, sort, order, name and label measurement).
- Make calculations and organise the quantities into a standardised format.
- Create bills of quantities based on standard library descriptions
TSA has specific processes to enact each aspect of the above list. TSA also breaks the work up into specialist areas. Each area is managed by a divisional leader who is an expert in their specialist field. Both those instructing and a trainer will be available to: provide instructions, training, support, feedback. They will also during the early stages check everything you do.
03. The Training that TSA Provide
Trevor Sadd Associates Ltd provides tailored on-line training and assessment which is funded by TSA.
We have successfully trained: students, graduates, architects, structural and civil engineers and urban planners. These candidates have included some from a college background and a few who started without any knowledge of construction. If you are reasonably bright, keen to learn and open to the process, we could probably train you.
Virtually everyone that works with us has to train with us as the work that we produce has to be in strict accordance with UK standards (NRM/SMM7). These standards are different and usually more detailed than most of the other international standards (POMI/CESMM/other) used
Individual training is provided on a modular basis. TSA will pay you for the training that you complete (regardless of result). However, the availability of future training is dependant on the trainees performance (i.e. you cannot move onto the next module of training unless you have exhibited an appropriate skills levels required in the earlier trainings)
Further details of the of the way in which TSA train (subject areas, methods, modules and levels) can be made available (on request) to those who have been selected for interview
04. The Benefits to Successful Applicants
Primary Benefits
Benefits to successful applicants include:
- Interesting projects (TSA work on a wide range of sometimes high profile projects - designed by leading professionals)
- A regular supply of work (up to 50 hours per week)
- Flexible working hours
- The ability to work from your chosen location
- Regular monthly payment (within 72 hours of invoice)
- Extensive training program (which is provided free of charge and which TSA pay trainees for the time that it takes them to complete).
Career Development
For those wishing to progress their careers, TSA offer the opportunity to:
- Work with and in a forward thinking UK consultancy business with a modern (innovative) approach to improving processes within the construction industry
- Gain invaluable experience - critiquing and working with the technical submissions of leading architectural and engineering practices.
- Develop advanced level skills (in communication, skill acquisition, bill production, etc)
- Work with and be involved in the development of software and training systems
Grades / Rates
TSA will look to provide trainee’s with grade 1 - 6 skills from day one. For example, trainees would as part of the first training be expected to think about how they would train others. The differences in the rate scale below reflects those of a basic practitioner at the lower end and those with a high degree of mastery at the upper end:
- Grade 1 - Students / Work Experience $ 0.00 $ 5.00 (University Internships)
- Grade 2 - Simple on screen take-off $ 3.00 - $ 5.00 (Working Under Instruction)
- Grade 3 - Measurement and Billing $ 4.00 - $ 6.00 (Single NRM Section)
- Grade 4 - Measurement and Billing $ 4.00 - $ 7.00 (Multiple NRM Sections)
- Grade 5 - Instructing, Checking, Training $ 6.50 - $ 9.00 (Multiple NRM Sections)
- Grade 6 - Managing, Business Development $ 8.00 - $10.50
- Other Specialist / Senior Roles $ 6.00 - $ 13.00+
- By mastery we mean someone who can: a) produce error free work in an effective way, b) contribute to TSA development and c) exhibits TSAs performance values
Work is offered on a self-employed basis and the rates paid are gross. During the first month of training work can be paid on a weekly basis. Thereafter TSA pay on a monthly basis (within 48 hours of invoice)
Most training is provided and paid for on an hourly basis that matches the rate that the trainee is earning.
Job Requirements
06. Basic Skills and Abilities Required
To work effectively, those measuring, will (once trained) need to exhibit the attributes listed below.
The first set of attributes are an absolute requirement. If these descriptions do not describe you now, or as you would like to be, then this work is not for you.
- Has an interest in the work
- A strong desire to produce a high standard of work (based on being able to apply their attention to detail)
- A good level of spoken and written English skills.
- Good communication skills with ability to communicate easily with and well with those from other countries and cultures (in English)
- Proactive approach to new learning experiences and problem solving.
- Is responsible, reliable and a good manager of their own time.
The second set of skills are required to progress to better grades. These are difficult skills to train as these require a change at a behavioural level. Again if these descriptions do not describe you now, or as you would like to be, then this work is not for you.
- Is able to be both logical and methodical in their approach to work.
- Highly numerate, with the ability to check calculations for error.
- The ability and confidence to immediately highlight ambiguities or questions in the work provided to seniors (so that queries can be resolved quickly and effectively).
- A strong desire to learn new skills and improve (innovate) new processes.
The last set of skills (as below) are important, but they are not as essential. These are skills that can be taught to someone with the aptitudes and skills set out above. They are however valuable as they make the training process much easier:
- The ability to read and understand construction plans, elevations, details, specifications etc.
- Significant knowledge of construction techniques (some experience of the UK construction methods would be an advantage)
- The ability to analyse and make sense of documentation
- Can use CAD software (The work does not require that the Measurement Specialist has any significant amount of design skills (artistic flair).
- Experience in the use of Google Documents word processing and spreadsheets. Sufficient IT skills to install software based on our instructions.
07. Other Useful Skills :
Applicants should also make us aware if they have an interest, experience or skills that would be useful to their development or that might allow the candidate to complete specialist tasks:
- Examples of useful Construction skills:
- Bill production
- UK standards and methods of measurement (NRM and SMM7)
- Specialist knowledge in any area of construction such as: structural, landscape, drainage, etc.
- Design or specification writing skills
- Other specialist construction knowledge
- Examples of useful Software skills:
- Bluebeam or other ‘measurement softwares’
- BIM modelling
- IT Software development / coding
- Other software
- Examples of any other specialist skills:
- Project Planning
- Quality Assurance (QA)
- Analytical, Mathematical or Statistical Skills
- Training others
- Human Resources
08. Setting Up as an Online Specialist
Working Environment
If you have not worked on a self employed basis before you will need to think about:
8.a - Finding somewhere to work that is quiet and where you will not be interrupted
8.b - Having access to a good internet connection
8.c - Equipment for workshop: A large laptop (minimum 15”) is sufficient for the purposes of completing the workshops and the first few days of training.
8.d(1) - The Equipment you will need for taster and trial sessions: An good i3 (or equivalent) computer with a 24” HD (1920 x 1080) 60 Htz screen (or a laptop with separate 22’’ ) are preferred. TSA will in most circumstances be able to lend you a large screen (if you can arrange for their transit). If you do not have a computer that would run a large screen you should make us aware of this in your application.
8.d(2) - Windows 10 is the required operating system. If you do not have a computer with Windows 10 you should make us aware of this in your application.
8.d(3) - Equipment required when working for TSA: Ideally an i5 (or equivalent) computer with a 27” (2560 x 1440) and smaller screen are preferred as it allows users to see both large and multiple documents in multiple programs at the same time. TSA will in most circumstances be able to lend you a screen for the first few weeks. TSA can also provide support in the form of: i) subsidised rental equipment, ii) interest free loans and iii) buyback agreements to assist those setting up systems. Please let us know if you need support in this area
8.e - How you will provide for both income tax and social taxes
8.f - Your preferred method of payment (how you will receive money).
Working Hours
TSA have a strong preference for those who work on a full time basis, but do employ some on a part time basis. We prefer to work with those who have more overlapping hours than those who have less.
Working hours in the UK are, for most, 09:00 - 17:00 GMT, but we have a few who work 08:00 - 16:00 GMT.
