We are committed to flexible working. To view the types of flexible or part time working available for this role, please see the Job and Person Profile.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Suffolk County Council (SCC) Highway Structures Team as a Design Technician.

Suffolk Highways is a collaboration between Kier and Suffolk County Council to meet the primary objective of maintaining roads and delivering new highway infrastructure in Suffolk. Personnel from both organisations work together in integrated teams as part of an alliance that aspires to be as effective, efficient, respected as possible and at the forefront of highway maintenance and improvement service delivery.

The Infrastructure Management Team comprises 109 staff who are collectively responsible for influencing and embedding highway asset management strategies, the commissioning of annual works programmes and ensuring the safety of the highway network for those living in and visiting Suffolk.

Your role

Sitting within the Professional Services Design area within the Suffolk County Council Structures Team you will provide preliminary and detailed engineering designs for bridges and structures on the local highway and public rights of way network, assisting with the preparation of documents for Infrastructure Operations to start work on site. Depending on the complexity of the works, the role may also entail assisting with the monitoring of works and recording of site changes. For maintenance work, this may also entail providing asset management support through the production of 'as built' drawings and ensuring that changes in asset inventory and condition data are reflected in the structures asset management system.

In addition to this, you will assist in providing a responsive service for public enquiries relating to these activities and to ensure that, through Infrastructure Operations (including its supply chain partners), Suffolk County Council is complying with its statutory duty to maintain its general hard landscape infrastructure and provide a safe highway network condition for members of the public.

Career progression opportunities

There is the opportunity for career progression within the structures team, including support in obtaining/progressing academic and professional qualifications. There is the possibility of sponsorship on day release courses in civil engineering for suitable candidates (FdSc, BSc, MSc), and the support and guidance of experienced professional engineers within the team to gain professional qualifications (EngTech, IEng, CEng) with engineering institutions. 

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is keen to learn and progress within the field of structures maintenance.

You will:  

* work in a coordinated way with other Suffolk Highways services and any external commissioners (e.g. county councillors, parish/town councils and Transport Strategy) in the preparation of designs, investigation, works instigation and subsequent adherence to agreed programme delivery dates

* consult with internal and external parties including statutory undertakers, Environment Agency, ecologists, landowners, the public, parish and county councillors, SCC's Flood and Water Management Team, material suppliers, works commissioners and other specialists

* undertake or assist in the investigation, site visit, network surveys, preparation of solutions and proposals, consultation, detailed design and detailing of structures improvement and maintenance schemes for feasibility or construction

* assist in the preparation and undertaking of planning, consultation and all other elements associated with traffic regulation order schemes

* assist in the preparation of project management plans, technical designs, drawings, documents specifications and other works information for Infrastructure Operations

* provide priced bills of quantities for works.

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don't meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Travelling requirements for your role

Frequent Travel Desirable - We positively encourage the use of technology to communicate and engage, but in this role, you may need to operate across a wide and rural area, so it would be beneficial for you to either hold a full and current driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability to meet the travel requirements of this role, please speak with the contact detailed below.

To find out more:

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Colin Godfrey on (01473) 264998.

How to apply:

To apply and for further details, please click the 'Apply' button.

Closing date: 19 December 2021.

Due to the continued situation relating to COVID-19 and reduced occupancy in our buildings we are starting to explore and trial new hybrid and remote working practices. If you wish to discuss how that might impact your working arrangements, please contact the recruiting manager listed above.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. We are also committed to flexible working.

Suffolk County Council - welcoming diversity.