Principal Compliance and Enforcement Officer

This vacancy is only open to North Somerset Council employees and agency workers contracted to North Somerset Council

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

North Somerset Council’s Highway Network Management Service manages the co-ordination of activities on the highway, whether Utility company or Council own works, new construction developments, domestic/commercial vehicle dropped kerbs, events (affecting/on the highway) or other licensable highway activities such as skips, scaffolding. In addition to co-ordinating activities, we also enforce legislation relating to utility company works, protect highway infrastructure, check safety around temporary traffic management and actively deal with congestion.

As a Principal Compliance & Enforcement Officer, you will use experience and knowledge already gained to manage, develop and supervise the day-to-day activities of a small team of officers who are responsible for safety, compliance & enforcement inspections (street works), highway licences, temporary traffic regulation orders, events (on/affecting the highway) and all associated applications.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to take the next step into a more Senior Network Management role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage, develop and supervise day-to-day activities of a small team of officers
• Ensure highway licensable applications and temporary traffic orders (relating to events and public rights of way) are assessed and issued consistently in accordance with regulations and council policies, assisting officers with more complex issues and resolving disputes
• Ensure safety & compliance inspections for street/road works, events and/or other activities on or affecting the highway comply with relevant associated legislation/codes of practice/policies are carried out efficiently and that fully auditable records are completed
• Take part in the selection and recruitment of staff including shortlisting and interviewing, 1-2-1’s and staff appraisals
• Manage and deliver all aspects of a coring regime associated with third party/utility works
• Responding to and resolving complex enquiries/complaints
• As/where appropriate, initiate enforcement action, prepare and provision of documents for legal proceedings and giving evidence in court
• Support the work of the wider team and more senior officer(s) in respect of performance issues, dispute resolution and remedial action

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

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 closed by 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:

• Flexible Worker
• 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 has a good understanding of some of the challenges faced relating to activities/works on the highway, along with a proven ability to manage and maintain professional relationships with all types of internal and external stakeholders, and who possess the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• You will be qualified to level 5 (or above) or have extensive practical experience of working within a Highway Network Management service giving rise to a variety of technical skills and sound understanding of the standards, legal responsibilities, work practices and processes relevant to the role

• You will either be working towards or have obtained a minimum level 3 ILM

• In depth knowledge and understanding of technical standards, safe working practices and legislation relating to the Highway Network Management service area, including (but not limited to), NRSWA, Highways Act, Road Traffic Regulation Act, codes of practice, highway authority powers

• You will have a NRSWA supervisors’ qualification

• Demonstrable experience and knowledge of Street Manager and North Somerset Councils Permit Scheme

• Valid driving licence and own transport

• Ability to engage with communities, businesses, partner agencies and other stakeholders within the relevant codes of practice

• Ability and willingness to work outside normal office hours as/where required
• Ability to manage/organise own workload, perform under pressure and achieve deadlines
• Accurate data entry skills and attention to detail
• Ability to analyse designated areas of work and make recommendations to improve them
• Ability to speak fluent English as stated in Part 7 of the Immigration Act

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of supervising and managing others within the same field of work
• Experience of attending safety advisory groups (SAG)
• Experience of dealing with complex customer complaints

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment, creating a workplace built on great teamwork.

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 valuesand 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. To enable us to shortlist in a fair and unbiased way, it is essential that you provide us with sufficient information to demonstrate how you meet or exceed the criteria outlined for this role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Paul Watkins, Highway Network & Traffic Manager, at paul.watkins@n-somerset.gov.uk

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: TBC

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK.

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.