Lead Highway Inspector

Medway Food Partnership; Strood; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Medway Council is seeking a motivated Lead Highway Inspector to join our Highway Operations team. You will coordinate highway inspection activities, manage risk across the network, and ensure accurate records and reports are maintained.

The role requires experience in highway maintenance and inspections, knowledge of relevant legislation, health and safety responsibilities, and the ability to communicate with customers, contractors and elected members.

Qualifications

• Essential criteria at Level A for appointment.
• Experience in highway maintenance and inspections.
• Ability to communicate with customers, contractors and elected members.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate highway inspection activities and manage risks across the network.
• Support delivery of inspection programmes and maintain accurate records.
• Supervise, coordinate or train others within the team.

Skills

Highways knowledge

Inspection coordination

Supervision

Communication

Health and safety

Tools

Highway asset management systems

ICT packages

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Hybrid – Works part from Pender House and part from home.

Hybrid – Works part from Pender House and part from home.

Closing Date:

06/11/2026

Job Category:

Highways & Transport

Region / Division:

Kent

Business Unit:

Job Introduction

Are you an experienced highways professional with a strong understanding of highway maintenance and inspection activities? Medway Council is seeking a motivated and organised Lead Highway Inspector to join our Highway Operations team.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in helping the Council meet its statutory duties under the Highways Act 1980 by coordinating highway inspection activities, identifying and managing risks across the network, and ensuring accurate records and reports are maintained. Working within a busy operational environment, you will manage your own workstreams, support the day-to-day delivery of inspection programmes, and contribute to the safe and efficient management of Medway's highway assets.

The successful candidate will have experience within highway maintenance and inspections, a good understanding of relevant highway legislation, health and safety responsibilities, and the ability to communicate effectively with customers, contractors, colleagues and elected members. You will also have experience supervising, coordinating or training others and be confident using highway asset management systems and standard ICT packages

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. The salary you will be offered will be at level A. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:

Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.

Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.

Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.

Highways are seeking a Lead Highway Inspector to join the team at level A. This is the entry point of the role, so you will need to be able to demonstrate the relevant knowledge, experience and skills to get you started, but you will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. All elements of level A listed within the person specification are essential. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria at level A which are essential for appointment to the role.
• Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK.
• For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.
• Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
• Please note, we prioritise applications from current Medway Council redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.
• We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.