Highway Officer – AR

Carrington Blake Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Greater London is seeking a Highway Officer to maintain public safety on highways and carry out inspections. The role involves monitoring highway conditions, handling applications for footway crossovers and disabled bays, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Ideal candidates will have knowledge of Highway Law and strong communication skills, combined with experience managing street-related tasks. The position necessitates responding to public inquiries and coordinating with contractors.

Benefits

Local government benefits

Training opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience dealing with the public is essential.
• Knowledge of Highway Law and enforcement procedures.
• Basic understanding of construction materials and repair processes.

Responsibilities

• Ensure public safety on the highway and report conditions.
• Inspect and report on highway infrastructure defects.
• Assist in the management of footway crossovers and disabled bays.

Skills

Experience in a street related environment

Good communications and customer care skills

Accurate data entry skills

Strong negotiation and communication skills

Education

Good level of general education with sound ability in English and Maths

Tools

Specialist IT systems

Electronic data capture devices

Job description

MAIN PURPOSE

1. To ensure that public safety on the public highway (and off the highway in exceptional circumstances) is maintained and to report on conditions/activities, predominantly, where public safety may be put at risk. To initiate remedial action in accordance with health and safety guidelines where necessary.

2. To undertake the inspection, recording and reporting of highway infrastructure condition defects in accordance with codes of practice, associated highways legislation and best practice on highway maintenance and arrange for appropriate corrective action as necessary.

3. To deal with new applications for vehicle crossovers and disabled bays including, visiting sites, recording details, taking accurate measurements, preparing estimates of costs, assessing safety, statutory and other Council requirements in consultation with colleagues, and advising residents and businesses as appropriate.

4. To assist enforcement of infringements of Highways, Street Works and other related legislation including attending at court on behalf of the Council to give expert evidence on these matters.

5. To monitor, record and report on the activities of 3rd parties working on the highway and take appropriate action to ensure the quality of signing/guarding and workmanship does not adversely impact on user safety.

6. To input data into the Council’s systems in an accurate and timely basis, and to be aware both of the performance indicators this data contributes to, and of the Council’s Data Quality strategy.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

At Grade ME8:

7. To carry out a daily inspection of major routes/highways in an allocated area by motor vehicle and report on or initiate action to maintain safety levels and standards within that area.

8. To carry out detailed highway surface inspections on foot, in accordance with current Council inspection regimes, or as otherwise determined by management. The findings of the inspection to be recorded and forwarded to the Council’s engineers and contractors for remedial action as appropriate.

9. To identify and report all street furniture defects, including lighting columns and other electrical signs and bollards, damaged non‑electrical signs and bollards and cycle stands, guard‑rails, street nameplates, highway seats, and road markings, blocked gullies, carriageway ponding and associated drainage problems.

• a. highway surface defects
• b. fly tipping
• c. dangerous structures on or adjacent to the highway
• d. car park conditions
• e. street trees and associated landscaped areas
• f. nuisance vehicles
• g. graffiti and fly posting
• h. instances of hazardous wastes/spillage
• i. illegal crossing of the footway and illegal construction of crossovers
• j. unauthorised excavation of the highway
• k. road traffic accidents and associated damage to Council property debris and oil spillage etc
• l. street trading infringements
• m. overhanging vegetation obstructing the highway.

10. To enforce aspects of legislation including the Highways Act 1980 London Local Authorities Act 1995 and the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (control of advertising regulations) and to enforce local byelaws.

11. To be competent in the use of electronic data capture devices and to be able to use such devices and to understand the associated software packages and programmes.

12. To interrogate the Corporate Asset Management system on a daily basis, deal with complaints and then update the system and sign off the enquiry/complaint.

13. To ensure that information on all inspection matters is passed promptly to the appropriate party for corrective action, to report on the progress and completion of that action and to ensure that such reports are processed and logged promptly in the appropriate system(s).

14. To undertake asset condition and rating assessments for all highway infrastructure items and to recommend whole streets or individual items within streets for possible inclusion in the Council’s annual major planned maintenance programmes.

15. To assist in the processing of straightforward applications for new or extended footway crossovers and new disabled parking bays including visiting the site, recording details, taking accurate measurements and reporting on any aspects of the location that may conflict with Council policy and/or highway safety requirements.

16. To attend site meetings with contractors, developers and other external bodies to determine conditions for the granting of relevant licences including scaffold, hoarding, skip, materials, Section 50 and crane licences. To ensure conditions are complied with and, if necessary, to warn and initiate prosecution for any infringement of the licence.

17. To assist in the management and co‑ordination, control and issue of section 50 and crane licences to third parties intending to carry out works on the highway so as to ensure the Council meets its obligations under the Traffic Management Act 2004.

18. To inspect, as and when required, footways and carriageways adjacent to proposed development sites and complete and agree schedule of condition before the start of building operations.

19. To provide details for input to correspondence drafted by others as required on aspects of illegal activities‑works on or affecting the highway.

20. To provide, in the event of a recharge, all necessary information with respect to the recovery of the cost of works carried out.

21. To deal with or initiate action to mitigate the effects of emergency situations as they arise within the Borough, including providing assistance to the major emergency services where required.

22. To initiate action in support of other sections of Environment & Regeneration Department where a rapid response is required. To take action in response to third party reports from Councillors, Officers of the Council and borough residents and other third parties.

23. To prioritise workload to ensure a speedy response and resolution to complaints.

24. To assist in the Council’s winter emergency plan and other civil emergencies which may include the supervision and monitoring of contractors.

25. To maintain records of progress in all aspects of the work to enable written or verbal reports to be made to the Team Manager or other senior management as required.

26. To use IT systems for both the input and retrieval of information, including correspondence, digital mapping and utility company data. To utilise office technology relevant to the field of work as it becomes available.

27. To ensure that corporate and departmental health and safety policies are implemented at all times and to raise any concerns regarding their operation, or any other health and safety matters, with the appropriate line manager.

28. To carry out all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Policies and practices concerning equal opportunities and customer care.

29. Other duties appropriate to the grading of the post as required by management.

AT GRADE ME10 IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THE ABOVE

• 31. To participate in the processing of insurance claims including undertaking investigations, submitting reports to the Council’s insurers and liaising with Legal Officers.
• 32. To attend court and give evidence on aspects of the work when required.
• 33. To provide information for reply to Councillors, MPs and members of the public on the outcome of enquiries and complaints which they have made and to initiate written straightforward responses to correspondence as required.
• 34. To assess, in consultation with traffic/parking/planning colleagues as appropriate, the impact of a proposed crossover or disabled parking bay on public safety, adjacent street furniture, trees, utility equipment and the existing parking provision in the street and make recommendation to the Principal Highway Officer to approve or reject the application.
• 35. To prepare estimates of the cost of installation where a crossover or disabled bay application is approved and write to advise the applicant of the costs and any specific requirements/conditions attaching to the approval.
• 36. To, on receipt of payment, accurately set out the position of the proposed disabled bay/crossover on site, issue an instruction to the contractor, co‑ordinate implementation in accordance with Network Management requirements and any proposed highway improvement or public utility work proposals and advise the applicant of the likely implementation date.
• 37. To inspect and measure completed works including those associated with new crossover or disabled bay installation, assessing quality, and checking accuracy and authorising payment of contractor’s invoices.
• 38. To liaise closely with local Councillors, representatives of the community, and members of the public and residents associations on issues of service provision, particularly in relation to the highway and adjoining land. To attend residents associations, meetings as required, acting on behalf of the Council.
• 39. To provide cover for the Team and for the Team manager and to carry out inspections in other areas as directed.
• 40. To participate in the Council’s out of hours emergency call out system acting as the Council’s representative at the site of emergencies, instructing contractors or advising other bodies and to maintain the call out incident diary, detailing the nature of the incident and the action taken or suggested working in the evenings, at weekends and at night as necessary.
• 41. To participate in the Environment & Regeneration response to emergencies using expertise and skills relevant to the functions of the post and in accordance with Council emergency procedures. This will include liaison with Emergency Services Agencies and or the Winter Maintenance Officer as necessary.
• 42. To prepare reports and briefing notes on less complex issues.
• 43. To supervise staff allocated to the work area and to be involved in the training of new staff as required by the Team and Section managers.
• 44. Other duties appropriate to the grading of the post as required by management.

AT GRADE ME11 IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THE ABOVE

• 45. To monitor, as part of the highway inspection process, the public utility companies compliance with the standards of signing/guarding, quality of completed works and length of occupation of the highway and to report incidents of non‑compliance to the appropriate Street Works officer.
• 46. To attend site meetings with developers, site agents and other external bodies prior to the commencement of building works. To determine and agree highway conditions and to assess the likely impact of the development on surrounding roads. To determine the amount of deposit to be levied against possible highway damage during the life of the development and to maintain records of site visits and any action taken.
• 47. To approve, co‑ordinate, control and issue of Section 50 licences and crane licences to third parties intending to carry out works on the highway.
• 48. To undertake negotiations with developers and others concerning the content of developments, construction specifications, implementation of works and the content of legal agreements including for S38, S106 and S278 agreements for straightforward schemes.
• 49. To initially act as the Council’s on‑site communication link in the event of a major civil emergency and to mobilise officers designated in the Major Emergency Plan. To commence operation of the Plan pending arrival of senior staff in other everyday and non‑major civil emergencies and to initially act in a co‑ordinating role, directing staff and contractors and taking decisions as required.
• 50. To initiate, quantify, prioritise and authorise emergency works orders direct from site to contractors and to monitor standards including response times and the quality and quantity of the work carried out. Any deficiencies found to be communicated directly to the contractor.
• 51. To provide details and draft response to straightforward correspondence as required including that relating to aspects of illegal activities on or affecting the highway.
• 52. To undertake specialist training in cross discipline duties, and to train new staff in the duties of highway inspection and maintenance.
• 53. To monitor contractors and in‑house operations and report on shortfalls in the standards achieved for all Council services which relate to the highway.
• 54. To take on‑site decisions and issue instructions to both Council contractors and other 3rd Parties including PU companies to ensure that works are implemented in accordance with Health and Safety requirements.
• 55. To represent the Council at meetings with other authorities and organisations.
• 56. To provide advice directly to elected members and senior managers.
• 57. To develop and maintain working relations with “stakeholders” and groups in the community relevant to highways, traffic or parking areas.
• 58. To draft routine reports and deal with correspondence.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

POST TITLE: HIGHWAY OFFICER.

GRADE: ME8/ME10/ME11

The criteria listed below indicate the factors against which candidates will be assessed as part of the short listing and interviewing processes. You will be required to demonstrate your ability to meet the criteria and you should give examples of where you have gained these skills and how these could be used to meet the objectives of the job. Greater depth of knowledge/experience will be required for appointment at the higher levels of the career grade.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Experience in a street related environment
• Basic knowledge of Highway Law and enforcement procedures.
• Basic knowledge of carriageway and footway construction materials and repair processes.
• Experience of dealing with the public in person and on the phone.
• Experience of working in a busy dynamic and changing office environment.
• Basic knowledge of specialist IT systems and use of electronic data capture devices.
• Sound knowledge of carriageway and footway construction materials, defects and repair techniques.
• Good knowledge of Highway Law and its influence on the management of the Highway, infringements and enforcement procedures.
• Sound knowledge and experience in using specialist IT systems and electronic data capture devices.
• Experience in collecting and giving evidence in court in relation to highway inspection/enforcement issues.
• Experience in inspecting and issuing instructions to contractors undertaking works on the highway.
• Good knowledge of highway works health & safety and signing and guarding requirements.

SKILLS AND APTITUDES

• Accurate data entry skills and attention to detail.
• Basic numeracy skills, including taking measurements.
• Basic IT skills and ability to use specialist software.
• Ability to produce and extract information from IT systems.
• Good communications and customer care skills.
• Ability to prioritise and organise workload.
• Strong IT skills and sound ability in the use of specialist software and data capture devices.
• Strong communications and customer care skills and an appreciation of the concept of the public as customer.
• Ability to draft straightforward correspondence.
• Good numeracy skills, including taking measurements, calculating areas and estimating costs.
• Ability to attend court and give evidence on highway inspection and enforcement related issues.
• Confident and self‑motivated.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and changing priorities.
• Ability to prepare straightforward correspondence and reports on highway inspection related issues.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to take on‑site decisions and issue instructions to contractors and other 3rd parties in relation to works and safety issues.

TRAINING & EDUCATION

• Good level of general education with sound ability in english and maths.
• Commitment to LBM Equal Opportunity Policy.