Senior Area Officer

North Somerset Council; Weston-super-Mare; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in Weston-super-Mare is seeking an experienced Senior Area Officer to enhance highway maintenance services. The suitable candidate should have a relevant vocational qualification and experience in supervising staff. Key responsibilities include responding to customer inquiries, monitoring contractors, and initiating repairs. The role offers a hybrid working environment and competitive benefits, contributing to valuable community services.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Local Government Pension

Professional development opportunities

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Vocational qualification to level 3 or 4 relevant to highway services.
• Experience in supervising staff in a similar field.
• Ability to travel independently across the geographical area.

Responsibilities

• Respond to enquiries and complaints to ensure excellent customer service.
• Monitor works by contractors to ensure safety and standards.
• Initiate repairs and assist in preparing minor work schemes.
• Represent the Council at various meetings regarding neighbourhood management.

Skills

Highway maintenance knowledge

Customer service skills

Supervision experience

Technical standards understanding

Education

Vocational qualification to level 3 or 4

Job description

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Area Officer to join our Highway Operations Team. The Highway Operations Team provide high quality, cost effective, frontline highway maintenance services which are of high importance to residents' and visitors of North Somerset.

In this role, you will; assist in the provision of an efficient, effective and economic customer focused services within Highway Services, using skills that would have be gained through professional qualifications and/or extensive practical experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Respond efficiently and effectively to enquiries and complaints to provide an excellent customer focussed service, seeking opportunities for improvement by building effective relationships with all stakeholders.
• Inspect and monitor works carried out by the Council’s contractors and monitor statutory undertakers and their contractors ensuring safe practices and appropriate standards of workmanship.
• Carry out inspections for all areas provided by the service, record and report relevant information sufficient to enable robust service in relation to accident/damage claims and enforcement matters.
• Initiate repairs following inspections and assist in the preparation of minor work schemes and programmes of work in relation to the Street Scene Environment.
• Represent the Council at various meetings, Town and Parish Councils and other customer groups as and when required on all matters relating to Neighbourhood Management.

Valid driving licence is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Mobile/Field Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 0-1 day in the office.
• Includes field workers who primarily work remotely.
• Comes into the office for meetings or focused work. Virtual connections with the team are essential, with portable technology supporting work on the go.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about highway maintenance and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria

• Vocational qualification to level 3 or 4 relevant to the service user group or extensive practical experience of working within the service area.
• Experience of supervising others within the same field of work.
• Knowledge and understanding of technical standards, safe working practices and legislation for service areas.
• Must have the ability to travel around the geographical area independently to cover service needs in and out of working hours.

Desirable Criteria

• Lantra Highway Inspector qualification.
• Streetworks Accreditation.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.

We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Local Government Pension.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums.
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year.
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team.
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes.
• Company lease hire vehicle under P11D terms and conditions.

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How To Apply

If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Phil Bush, Highway Operations and Contracts Manager at [e-mail] or 07776 170230

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: TBA

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.