About the Vacancy

This is an unparalleled opportunity for those who would like to contribute to, and live as part of, a welcoming but self reliant community, which also benefits from negligible pollution, low crime rates and a very British way of life.

Recent developments in relation to oil discovery are likely to result in accelerated programmes in upgrading and expanding the support infrastructure of the islands including in areas such as power, water supply and access roads (for a new deep water port), as well as an expanding housing requirement.

Reporting to the Director of Public Works, the post-holder will be required to manage the Highways Section of the Public Works Department and oversee the construction and maintenance of all roads and associated assets in the Islands.

The post will be for a period of two years in the first instance.

Applicants should hold a recognised civil engineering degree and have a minimum 10 years civil engineering experience in highways with a design consultancy or civil engineering Contractor, including at least 5 years at a similar level to this role. Applicants will have direct supervision of 7 staff therefore leadership qualities and previous management experience are essential.

In addition applicants must have proven sound experience of design, build and maintaining surfaced and un-surfaced roads, have a full understanding of Microsoft Project, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a full driving license.

JOB PROFILE

Job details
Job Title: Roads Engineer Grade: B Reports to: Director of Public Works
Job Description & Main Accountabilities
Main purpose of job:
To be the lead professional on matters relating to Highways. To manage the Highways Section of the Public Works Department and oversee the construction and maintenance of all roads and associated assets in the Islands
Job facts and figures:
  • Annual recurrent budget for operation of Section £1,300,000. (£480,000 revenue)
  • Annual value of Capital work up to £2,700,000
  • Direct supervision up to 7 staff
  • Indirect – up to 30
Role specific Responsibilities:
  • The development and implementation of Capital and Operating budgets including the financial management for those budgets and the resources to complete the annual programmes of work.
  • Monitoring the condition of all Highways Assets including surfaced roads, un-surfaced roads, bridges, cattle grids, culverts and signs and developing works programmes considering the extent of works, available resources and budget
  • Assisting the Design Engineer in the development of cost effective scheme proposals and designs, including in the preparation of specifications and drawings.
  • Preparation of reports and contract documents, including specifications for Highways projects.
  • Supervising direct labour and contractors to ensure compliance with contract conditions, specifications, standards and best practise in health and safety for each project.
Corporate responsibilities:
  • Participate in the corporate and strategic management of the Government as required.
  • Take a leadership role for assigned areas of corporate responsibility and corporate projects.
  • Assist Director of Public Works with continuous improvement initiatives and the provision of management systems, processes and structures in line with corporate policies.
  • Provide leadership to staff through the setting of objectives and performance indicators, the allocation of resources, the monitoring of achievement, identification of variances and remedial action; mentoring and role modelling, and pro-active use of the individual performance appraisal system.
  • Other duties consistent with the level of post as agreed with the Director of Public Works.

Knowledge/skills/experience/qualifications required for the job:
Knowledge:
Essential:
  • BSc/BEng qualification in relevant degree course
  • Computer literate with understanding of Microsoft Office programmes including Microsoft Project
  • Hold and Maintain a full driving licence
Desirable:
  • Proficient in the use of AutoCAD
Experience:
Essential:
  • Minimum 10 years civil engineering experience in highways with a design consultancy or civil engineering Contractor, including at least 5 years at a similar level to this role.
  • Proven sound experience of design, build and maintaining surfaced and un-surfaced roads
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Able to develop and keep comprehensive and clear records of work undertaken and present clear written reports to line manager
  • Able to work with minimum supervision
  • Organised approach to meeting deadlines and prioritising conflicting demands
  • Good verbal reasoning skills
  • Sound numeric, report writing and verbal communication skills
  • Sound experience in estimating and preparing budgets
Desirable:
  • UK based work experience with asphalting contractor
  • Proven experience in one of more of the following: port, sea jetties and ramps, container park and airfield maintenance
  • Knowledge of site plant
  • Chartered Status
Skills
Essential:
  • Leadership ability
  • Strong project management experience
  • Sensitive to the abilities of others
  • Self controlled and calm under pressure
  • Be a pro-active and flexible team player
  • Able to live and work away from normal home area as required
  • Ability to think laterally and creatively to generate novel solutions
  • Deadline driven

Last Evaluated: 30th July 2013

Schemes

Every year Highways are allocated approx £1,050,000 for capital schemes and it’s the Road Engineer’s decision how they wish to spend this money. The allocation of funding is based on asset inspections and approved by various committees and council. That funding typically covers:

  • Annual improvements for unsealed roads including new build roads utilising locally won and processed aggregates, road capping programmes using locally won and processed aggregates (including the management of a mobile crusher) and drainage improvements
  • Annual Cattle grid repairs, replacements and new build of reinforced concrete structure and steel infills
  • Annual culvert and causeway maintenance, repair and replacement in tidal and freshwater areas utilising culverts between 600mm and 2.2m diameter
  • Annual maintenance and improvements for sealed asphalt and concrete roads and footpaths including asphalt overlays and inlays, carriageway reconstruction, concrete repairs and drainage improvements

On top of this, money is allocated on a one off basis following submission of papers to Executive Council for approval. These papers focus on specific schemes and this year they include:

  • 1.1km of new road construction including asphalt carriageway, footways, drainage and street lighting
  • Rebuilding 12km of unsealed road
  • Reconstruction of concrete carriageway in Stanley

Total capital funding this year is approx. £3.5 million

Further to that the department is allocated operating funds which cover annual maintenance programmes including, grading, ditching, drainage work, pot hole repairs, signage, road marking and winter gritting.

Total operating funding this year is approx. £1.1 million.

Highways Section