Highways Superintendent

The Methodist Church in Britain; Yeovil; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave plus bank-holiday

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible and hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Paid volunteering opportunities

Van or vehicle provided for work

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a Highways Superintendent to oversee safety across the county's road network. You will identify and address risks, manage a devolved budget, and act as the council's technical lead on highway legislation and traffic management.

The role mixes fieldwork with office tasks, with countywide travel and a provided van. Right to work in the UK is required; visa sponsorship is not offered.

Qualifications

• Must have detailed knowledge of highway construction and maintenance techniques.
• Understanding of the Highways Act 1980.
• Understanding of current health and safety legislation.
• Awareness of local political, financial and environmental issues.
• Proven ability to analyse local highway situations and identify priority areas.
• Working knowledge of IT including MS Office, MS Teams, SharePoint, GIS mapping and works ordering applications.

Responsibilities

• Ensure statutory duties as Highway Authority are met.
• Respond to dangerous highway reports; inspect, assess risk and priority; order repairs.
• Provide expert technical advice on highway legislation and temporary traffic management.
• Deliver service plans to required standard; optimise resources.
• Manage a devolved budget within financial parameters.
• Coordinate priorities and monitor highway maintenance providers.
• Liaise on emergency highway situations with the Assistant Highways Service Manager.
• Collaborate with parish councils, elected members and emergency services.
• Ensure planned works meet design, safety and compliance obligations.
• Contribute to continuous service improvement.
• Travel countywide for highway network work.

Skills

Highways construction & maintenance

Highways Act 1980

Health and safety legislation

Local political/financial knowledge

Technical analysis of highway issues

IT skills (MS Office/MS Teams/Share(

Education

BTEC level in Civil Engineering

Tools

MS Office

MS Teams

SharePoint

GIS mapping

Works ordering apps

Job description

Highways Superintendent post with Somerset Council's highway authority, responsible for safety across the county's road network. The role centres on identifying and addressing risks, managing a devolved budget, and acting as the council's technical lead on highway legislation and traffic management. Work is split between the network and the office, with countywide travel and a provided van. Visa sponsorship is not offered, so candidates must already have the right to work in the UK.

What the job involves

• Ensure the council meets its statutory duties as Highway Authority, including key government legislation
• Respond to reports of dangerous highway conditions, inspecting, assessing risk and priority, and ordering repairs
• Give expert technical advice on highway legislation and temporary traffic management
• Deliver service plans to the required standard and optimise available resources
• Manage and control a devolved budget within financial parameters
• Coordinate local priorities and monitor the performance of highway maintenance service providers
• Liaise with the Assistant Highways Service Manager on emergency highway situations
• Work with parish councils, elected members and emergency services to agree priorities and resolve issues
• Ensure planned works meet design, safety and compliance obligations
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the service
• Travel countywide, and sometimes further, to work on the highway network

Qualifications

• BTEC level in Civil Engineering, with relevant craft or technical experience

Experience

• Relevant experience within a highways service environment
• Experience of highway maintenance
• Understanding and experience of budget management
• Contract administration
• Ordering of engineering works

Skills & knowledge

• Detailed knowledge of highway construction and maintenance techniques
• Understanding of the Highways Act 1980
• Understanding of current health and safety legislation
• Understanding of political, financial and environmental issues at local level
• Proven technical ability to analyse local highway situations and identify priority areas
• Working knowledge of IT including Microsoft Office, MS Teams, SharePoint, GIS mapping and works ordering applications

Checks & eligibility

• Full UK driving licence
• Right to work in the UK without needing visa sponsorship

Other

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience of dealing with the public on highway matters

Nice to have

• HNC in a relevant technical discipline

What’s offered

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working where service needs allow
• Health and wellbeing support, including confidential employee assistance
• Paid volunteering opportunities
• Van or vehicle provided for work