Assistant Highways Service Manager

Somerset County Council; Bridgwater; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated individual to join their team in improving road user safety. This role involves direct management of highway maintenance, ensuring the community's needs are met while maintaining a sustainable and safe highway network. You will engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, from local MPs to the public, providing essential guidance and support. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, this organization fosters a collaborative environment where every team member plays a vital role in enhancing the lives of Somerset residents. Embrace this opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Staff discounts in gyms

Employee Assistance Program

Pension Scheme

Flexible Benefits Scheme

Discounts in shops and restaurants

Qualifications

• Experience in construction and road building is essential.
• Ability to manage highway maintenance and staff effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage all enquiries relating to highway maintenance issues.
• Supervise and train staff, conducting performance reviews.
• Plan and manage annual highway maintenance works.

Skills

Highways knowledge

Project management

Written and verbal communication

Technical knowledge

Education

Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths

Job description

• We have core hours of 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday, however out hybrid working model means you can work some of those days from home while other days, you may be in a different office or out conducting onsite liaison. Our Main office is in Taunton; however, you can also choose to work from our Minehead base alongside an established member of the team.
• 30 days’ annual leave, pro rata for part time hours.
• This is a Permanent position for 18.5 hours a week.

What will I be doing?

From repairs to stopping unsafe practice, our primary role is ensuring road user safety. It’s our duty to uphold the highways act and we consider it a badge of honour. There is an element of problems solving to this role and, if arises, our team is there to sort it with local knowledge and soft enforcement. In our team, we work hand in glove. Everyone looks after each other and, if you have a question, you can bet one of our team will be there to answer. We have a buddy system in place for visiting sites, weekly catch ups, and of course the odd meal out as a team.

We’re working to improve the lives of people here in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will involve:

• Being the main contact for all enquiries relating to highway maintenance and management issues. Managing expectations and adjusting priorities.
• Direct line management of Highway Superintendent and Technicians. Supervise and train staff, including regular performance reviews.
• Planning, prioritising and managing annual programme of highway maintenance works to meet serviceability, sustainability and safety needs of the highway network, within annual budget constraints.

Building a relationship with the local community is key, and you will be interacting with everyone from MPs to the public. A lot of what we do is triaging and signposting p0eople to the right people. With our technical know-how, we also provide specialist advice and guidance so that County and Parish Councillors make the right calls.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

We are looking for experience rather than qualifications. You don’t need to come from a specific background, but you do need to know the basics of constructions and how a road is built. If you have come off the tools, this role would suit you.

Much of what you will be doing can be learnt on the job, and we will give you training you need to get set up; however, to hit the road running you will need:

• English and Maths grade 9-4 (A* - C/ Level 4) or Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths, or equivalent.
• Highways knowledge.
• Written and verbal skills.
• Tech knowledge and project management experience.

Please note, this role requires the successful candidate to travel around Somerset for onsite visits.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

What's in it for me?

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave.
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more…

Anything else I should know?

The salary for this role is grade 9, ranging from £20,238 to £22,355 per annum for 18.5 hours.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Neil McWilliams, Service Manager: Area Highways, via [e-mail]

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

If you have everything you need, just hit the apply button. We can’t wait to hear from you.

Supporting documents and information

Please read any attached documents before applying for this job