Senior/Compliance & Enforcement Officer (Streetworks)

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

North Somerset Council’s Highway Network Management Service manages the co-ordination of activities on the highway, whether Utility company or Council own or private works, 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 minimise disruption as far as practicable on the highway network

The Role

We are looking for a Senior/Compliance & Enforcement Officer to work in our Highway Network Management Team. The role is a career graded post and while ideally we are seeking someone at the Senior level grade, would welcome & applications from those who feel they may meet the level 6 criteria.

Reporting directly to the Principal Compliance & Enforcement Officer you will use you’re experience, knowledge and skills to carry out a range of co-ordination, inspection, compliance, monitoring, reporting, evaluation and enforcement activities, relating to street/roadworks permits, licenses and events on/impacting the highway network to meet relevant legislative and statutory requirements over a geographical area. You will act as an escalation point as well as being a professional witness where required.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the highway network, minimising disruption to the travelling public, and managing stakeholder expectations and challenges. You will be working in a dynamic, collaborative environment with opportunities to gain experience and develop skills in a local authority setting with a fantastic, supportive team.

The position may also involve supervising the work of more junior team members within an established management framework.

The details below relate to the Senior level of this career-graded post. Please refer to the job description for the full career grade structure. Candidates who do not meet all Senior-level criteria may be considered for appointment at Level 6; requirements for each level are outlined in the job description.

About You

We are seeking an experienced professional with significant practical experience in a highway related environment - such as Network Management, Streetworks, or a utility background. You should be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently while also being an effective and collaborative team player. For the Senior career grade, a NRSWA Streetworks Supervisor card is essential along with relevant industry experience. You should have a strong understanding of the challenges associated with works on/affecting the highway and proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Key skills and essential criteria for the Senior level include:

• Ability to work independently, using strong problem-solving skills to anticipate and resolve issues, plan solutions, and make sound decisions.

• Knowledge and understanding of technical standards safe working practices and legislation for working in highways (including experience in undertaking inspections)

• Excellent IT skills, including the ability to interrogate street works permits and licences, and proficiency with relevant software and hardware.

• Experience of technical operational activities, including inspections and temporary traffic management planning, in collaboration with internal teams and external organisations.

• A vocational qualification or experience to level 4 relevant to the service area or equivalent is essential.

• Either be an existing member of or on successful appointment be able to join a recognised Highway professional body.

• You will have a full valid driving licence.

• Ability to present evidence confidently.

• To resolve enquiries and complaints in relation to highway enforcement activities in a timely safe and efficient manner. Conflict management skills are essential.

• Demonstrate excellent IT skills including interrogation/investigation of street works or highway licence permits and specialist software such as Street Manager (or equivalent package) is essential. Good working knowledge of Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint (or equivalent packages)

• Be competent in the use of a range of software and hardware, including mobile devices and body worn camera etc, for the reporting of faults, breaches of enforcement, writing reports and documents, sending emails etc.

• Good organisation skills and accurate record keeping is essential.

A full valid driving licence is an essential condition for this role.

This position will be based at our Town Hall office in Weston-super-Mare.

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:

• Up to 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.

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 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. 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.