Highways Superintendent

Somerset Council; Yeovil; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

LGPS pension

Flexible & hybrid working

Health & wellbeing support

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a Highway Operations professional to safeguard road users and manage improvement works across the county. You will advise on highway legislation, plan maintenance, and coordinate with parish councils, emergency services and contractors to deliver safe, compliant projects.

The role requires extensive civil engineering knowledge, budget management experience and the ability to prioritise critical safety risks while delivering value. A hybrid working pattern is available.

Qualifications

• Strong IT skills including Office, Teams and SharePoint for collaboration and reporting.
• Experience with GIS mapping and highway works ordering systems.
• Formal civil engineering education at diploma/college level is essential.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the Highway Authority fulfils statutory duties under Government legislation.
• Provide expert advice on highway legislation and temporary traffic management.
• Deliver service plans and optimise resources within budgets.
• Manage a devolved budget and monitor provider performance.
• Inspect sites, assess risk, prioritise repairs and respond to emergencies.
• Coordinate with managers to ensure safe, compliant and on-time works.

Skills

Microsoft Office

MS Teams

SharePoint

GIS Mapping

Works ordering applications

Education

BTEC level in Civil Engineering

HNC in relevant technical discipline

Job description

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Location: Yeovil, with further location details to be discussed at interview.

Role Purpose

You’ll be playing a key role in ensuring the safety of highway users across Somerset’s highway network. You will do this by identifying and addressing risks, delivering maintenance and improvement works, and overseeing regulatory and permitting responsibilities.

Acting as a local technical expert, you will ensure that the Council fulfils its statutory duties and advise on matters such as highway legislation, traffic management and the condition of the highway. You will ensure that highway maintenance services are delivered effectively, by coordinating local priorities, managing budgets and monitoring the performance of service providers.

You’ll be working closely with parish councils, elected members and emergency services, amongst others, to agree priorities, resolve issues and maintain safe and efficient operation of the network. You will help to ensure that the delivery of planned works meet all design, safety and compliance obligations to a high standard. Through doing this work, you will be contributing to the continuous improvement of the service and the improved safety of our local highway network.

Key responsibilities

• Ensure that Somerset Council as the Highway Authority carries out its statutory duty and complies with key Government legislation.
• Provide expert technical advice on issues concerning highway legislation, and provide advice for temporary traffic management.
• Deliver service plans to the required standard. Optimise available resources effectively to manage this.
• Manage and control a devolved budget within financial parameters.
• Respond to reports from all stakeholders of alleged dangerous conditions on the highway. Inspect, assess risk and priority, and order repairs when necessary.
• Liaise with the Assistant Highways Service Manager in managing and coordinating emergency highways situations.

What you’ll bring

• Conversant with key IT software – Microsoft office programs, MS Teams, SharePoint, GIS Mapping, Works ordering applications and other computer-based applications.
• Understanding and experience of budget management.
• Proven technical ability, an ability to analyse local highways situations and to identify priority areas for maintenance and improvement.
• Ability to speak fluent English as stated in Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016).
• Understanding of current Health and Safety legislation.
• Understanding of the Highways Act 1980.
• A detailed knowledge of highway construction and maintenance techniques.
• An understanding of political, financial, and environmental issues as they affect the service at the local level.
• Relevant experience within a highway’s service environment.
• Experience of highway maintenance.
• Contract administration.
• Ordering of engineering works.
• Dealing with public on various highway matters.
• Educated/qualified to BTEC level in Civil Engineering with relative craft and/or technical experience.
• HNC in relevant technical discipline, beneficial.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.

About the team

Join a friendly and supportive team that plays a key role in keeping Somerset's highways safe and accessible. Working alongside colleagues, contractors, local councils and communities, no two days are the same from responding to urgent issues to delivering maintenance improvements that make a real difference across the county.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most generous and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council:

• This is a full-time role working 37 hours per week.
• 28 days of annual leave (additional to bank holidays).
• Mixture of working out on the Highway network and in the office. Must be able to travel countywide, and sometimes further, with a full UK driving licence. A van/vehicle will be provided as part of this role.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.