Highways Adoption Engineer

Government of The United Kingdom; Burnhope; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government entity is seeking a Highways Adoption Engineer to ensure new roads meet adoption standards. This role involves assessing technical documentation, managing financial procedures, securing legal agreements, and mentoring junior staff. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits, including 27 days of leave and a pension scheme, along with flexible working arrangements. The starting grade varies based on qualifications and experience, allowing for career progression in the engineering field.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• HNC or equivalent in Civil Engineering or related subject.
• Experience in assessing and approving technical drawings.
• Ability to manage financial records and bond securities.

Responsibilities

• Assess technical drawings and documentation for new road construction.
• Negotiate quantities and bond figures for engineering projects.
• Prepare instructions and secure legal agreements for highway adoption.
• Monitor progress of works and advise on financial releases.
• Liaise with internal and external partners for highway issues.

Skills

Technical expertise in highway design and construction

Negotiation skills

Financial management

Communication skills

Compliance and legal understanding

Education

HNC or equivalent in Civil Engineering

Job description

We are seeking to recruit a Highways Adoption Engineer (Career Graded). Your primary role will be to ensure that all new roads built within the County are designed and built to a standard suitable for adoption maintained highway and to manage the procedures relating to securing highway status. To work with developers, their representatives and the Council's legal and finance officers to secure agreements under Section 38 and Section 278 of the Highways Act., The duties of this role include, but aren't limited to:

Responsibilities

• To apply technical expertise and make recommendations when assessing and approving technical drawings and associated documentation in relation to construction of new roads for development.
• To calculate and negotiate quantities and financial bond figures and to establish and secure inspection fee payments associated with the works.
• To instruct legal and finance officers in relation to project finance (including enforcement) and to maintain accurate financial records of costs, estimates and financial bond security.
• To prepare instructions and secure legal agreements for adoption and changes to the highway network in accordance with S38 and S278 of the highways act.
• To monitor works progress, prepare certification for approval and advise the Senior Adoptions Engineer on release of financial bonds as schemes progress.
• To ensure compliance with the legal agreements and agreed technical details in the construction and execution of the works.
• To ensure compliance with corporate policies in relation to new development work.
• To liaise with Highways Inspectors in overseeing scheme delivery.
• To maintain and interpret highway records and provide accurate advice on highways issues both internally and externally for legal, operational and financial purposes.
• To liaise with and advise internal and external partners to secure highway adoption of new roads.
• To address day to day technical queries with clients and their representatives to ensure construction works are undertaken to the required specifications and standards.
• To advise Highways Development Officers on acceptability of construction proposals and adoption issues that may arise.
• To prepare reports for delegated approval to enter into legal agreements and obtain authority to adopt on completion of all works.
• To provide data relating to performance indicators for the team.

Training and Development

Assist in the training and development of junior and apprentice engineering staff through mentoring and workplace coaching.

Qualifications

A minimum of HNC or equivalent in Civil Engineering or a related subject, or equivalent level of qualification in a relevant subject area or be working towards this qualification. This role offers a career path with grades 8 to 10. Your starting grade depends on your current qualifications and experience, and you can progress further through the grades with continued development. Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.

Benefits

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years' continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable.

Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits-if-you-work-for-us. Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.