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More info
- Value the assets of farms and estates & advise clients
- You'll need analytical & IT skills with a diplomatic approach
- You could specialise in valuations or move into a senior management position
Valuations are usually done for sale, insurance, taxation or compensation purposes. You'll arrange auctions of farm property, including the marketing and publicity, and conduct auctions on the day. You might create computer maps of the landscape, using geographical information systems (GIS), satellite imaging and precision measuring instruments.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- The day-to-day running of an estate
- Maintaining accounts
- Producing financial forecasts
- Dealing with grant and subsidy applications
- Negotiating land access, with utility, mining or quarrying companies
- You might also carry out valuations for clients, covering property, machinery, crops and livestock
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
A lot of your time will be spent visiting clients on farms or estates, which could mean early starts and late finishes. Auctions may also take place at weekends to maximise attendance. Clients may be spread over a wide area, so you'll usually need a driving licence.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone with analytical skills, IT skills, a diplomatic approach, excellent negotiating skills, and project management skills.
You'll usually need a relevant degree or postgraduate qualification, accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Relevant subjects include geographic information science, rural estate and land management, land use and environmental management or rural business management. You can also take a degree or postgraduate course approved by the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers. You may be able to do a postgraduate conversion course if your first degree is not related to surveying. You could get a postgraduate qualification through a graduate trainee scheme or by distance learning, with the University College of Estate Management, if you're working for a surveying practice.
You can also qualify as a rural surveyor by doing a degree apprenticeship in surveying.
Experience of working on the land, for example in farming or conservation, could give you an advantage when looking for work.
It would be helpful to join the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers for professional development training, industry news and networking opportunities.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could specialise in a particular area of rural surveying, like valuations. You could also move into a senior management position, partnership in a private practice or self-employment as a consultant.