Engineer

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 have a fantastic opportunity for a talented and innovative highway professional to join our forward-thinking local authority in our Road Safety team.

Based within North Somerset, boasting both beautiful coastlines and rural countryside, you will play a key role in this essential highway service, which is focused on making our roads safer across the region.

You will be part of a dedicated team working to ensure that the highway network is safe for all users across North Somerset. The role will involve the identification, design and delivery of road safety schemes, analysing collision and traffic data, overseeing speed management initiatives, and conducting research to support evidence-based interventions. You will also provide safety assessments of highway design proposals and carry out Collision Investigations and Road Safety Audits.

Working collaboratively, you will help develop and implement our Road Safety Strategy and contribute towards achieving casualty reduction targets. This will include offering expert advice to colleagues and external partners, and reviewing proposals for changes to the highway network, such as speed limit adjustments, traffic calming measures and housing development applications.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to develop their career through on-the-job training and attending appropriate courses to focus on road safety and will play a key part in fulfilling North Somerset Council’s statutory duty in improving the safety of our highway network. An effective communicator, you will have an interesting and varied workload and a great working environment.

Whilst this is a full-time permanent post, proposals around term time only or part time working will also be considered, to take into consideration individual circumstances. We also offer flexible working hours to support a greater work life balance as well as a generous annual leave and excellent pension scheme. Our full range of benefits can be found on our website.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyse collision and traffic data to identify key issues and propose proactive road safety interventions aimed at reducing both the frequency and severity of incidents
• Preparation and implementation of highway safety schemes including contract documentation and designs using AutoCAD
• Issue works orders and account for expenditure from an agreed budget
• Undertake Collision investigation and reporting
• Attend Road Safety Audits as Team Leader or Team Member in accordance with GG119
• Review and assess Road Safety Audits carried out by third parties, including consultants and developers
• Contribute to the development and implementation of road safety policies and procedures
• Attend public meetings and site visits to provide technical information about particular schemes and represent the highway authority
• Provide responses to queries / advice on road safety matters to internal stakeholders, Councillors, and the public
• Communicate effectively with contractors, colleagues and the public, both verbally and in writing, through the appropriate use of case notes and other record keeping within information sharing protocols and record keeping policies

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

This position is currently based at our Castlewood offices in Clevedon. Please be advised that this office will be closing in 2025. Consultation is currently underway to determine the new location for colleagues based in Castlewood. This will be at Weston-super-Mare or within North Somerset.

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 Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

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

Essential Criteria:

• NVQ level 4 / Higher National Certificate (HNC), or equivalent with an engineering or technical background
• Approved professional qualification (e.g. EngTech) or extensive practical experience within the service area and working towards accreditation
• Experience in the design and implementation of Highway Improvement Schemes
• Working knowledge of road safety practises including requirements for ensuring highway design meets standards and guidance and provides safe solutions for all road users
• An awareness of collision analysis software
• Ability to manage / organise own work and that of allocated resource to meet agreed deadlines without close supervision
• Data analytical skills
• Proficient in the use of GIS and/or relevant highway software packages
• Strong and effective communication skills with the ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders and present evidence clearly and confidently
• Excellent IT skills, including but not limited to MS Office and AutoCAD
• Knowledge and understanding of highway technical standards, safe working practices and legislation for service area

Desirable Criteria:

• Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), Higher National Diploma (HND) or educated to degree level within area of work
• Knowledge of types of traffic management and road safety schemes and the appropriate application of these to a range of potential issues
• Experience of KeyLINES, KeySIGNS, KeyPOST and Vehicle Tracking software
• Producing feasibility studies relating to casualty reduction
• Providing road safety advice on design proposals
• Knowledge and appreciation of the Safe System approach towards road safety
• Experience and knowledge of the Road Safety Audit process

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

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 James Dawson, Lead Engineer (Road Safety) james.dawson@n-somerset.gov.uk or 07917 228260 (Please note on leave between 25 July – 3 Aug).

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.