Zdena Mayes

I joined Hampshire County Council (HCC) in March 2003 as trainee CAD technician, having previously worked in a private architect’s practice for four years.

Prior to joining HCC, I completed an HND+ course in Architecture at Southampton University, having studied for four years at a Building College in my home country of Slovakia.

The main reason I joined HCC was to become a qualified CAD technologist and with the support of my manager, I qualified as a Chartered Architectural Technologist MCIAT at CIAT Institute in London in 2009.

Working for Property Services is always challenging, but in the good way, as our projects vary all the time, no two schemes are the same. I currently work on schools and it’s always very rewarding when the project is on site, then completed and handed over to the client. You know you have made a difference when you facilitate providing the school with extra or better spaces to teach or work in.

My projects at the beginning of my career were mainly small ones such as toilet refurbishments, reception alteration and small extensions. I took part in delivering Children’s Centres and proudly delivered £900,000+ remodelling and refurbishment projects at Norwood Primary school and Bushy Leaze Special school.

I am now a Senior Building Surveyor which means I am responsible for managing just under 50 primary schools, including some special schools. It’s a varied role as I’m always supporting schools with their different building issues, as well as delivering project work. I enjoy the opportunity this role gives me to get to know my clients and built a good working relationship with them. They are grateful for my professional help and knowledge, and the wider support that comes from a 400+ well-established property service.

As a working mum one of the things I have found is that HCC is a very flexible place to work. This is invaluable when I am juggling my home life and unexpected life events. Flexible working hours and working from home are two of the many great benefits of this job.