Overview

Senior Clerk of Works (Development Management). Permanent, Full Time. £38,959 - £45,833 per annum. Location: Chelmsford. This is a hybrid-working role, with a requirement to work at a functional work location 2-3 days per week on average, depending on business need.

Essex Highways is responsible for managing and maintaining one of the largest highway networks in the country: 5,000 miles of roads and around 5,000 miles of footways. Working on the Essex Highways Integrated Services contract in partnership with Essex County Council. The key purpose of the role is to ensure construction of developer's highway infrastructure works and Vehicle Crossings are acceptable to the Highway Authority for adoption as public highway, maintainable at the public expense. The role requires attention to detail and careful monitoring of the quality of construction of highway works associated with approved planning consents, to ensure construction is in accordance with planning obligations and the policies of the County Council, and to ensure the longevity of the works is maximised as far as reasonably practicable.

The individual will need to communicate effectively with developers and project stakeholders to address technical and safety concerns, provide guidance, and report regularly to the Development Management Engineer on project progress. This role is responsible for ensuring that the required standards of new works carried out by third parties on the public highway and new highway to be adopted by the County Council as part of its highway network are met. This role is in support of the Development Manager who has overall responsibility for non-statutory third party works on the highway network.

Accountabilities / Responsibilities

• Work with the Development Management Clerk of Work/Inspection team and wider Development Management technical teams to carry out site-based quality inspection relative to new road construction and alterations to the existing highway to validate compliance with approved drawings/specification, best practice and programme. Responsibility for ensuring all materials used meet testing requirements.
• Prepare and assist in the management and monitoring of works programmes or services.
• Provide timely and accurate advice to County Councillors, District Members, Parish Councils and the general public on all highway-related matters, as required.
• Produce weekly detailed reports and identify remedials and non-compliance to drawings as works proceed.
• Check Traffic Management layouts and provide expert advice on construction methods to minimise impact on the network in liaison with the NRSWA Team.
• Monitor works for compliance with approved drawings/specification and ensure they are constructed in accordance with the Development Construction Manual, Design Manual of Roads and Bridges, NRSWA 1991 and TMA 2004 requirements. Inspections vary according to complexity and ensure setting out is correct and works are of a high standard.
• Ensure works meet the standard required in the relevant specification and comply with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and other construction/H&S related law.
• Observe the contractor's operational compliance with Health and Safety legislation and report any instances of non-compliance.
• Manage and mentor direct reportees and assist the wider Clerk of Works and Engineer teams.
• Manage the Vehicle Crossing inspection process and address technical complaints/queries.
• Carry out H&S audits of construction activities on Developer funded S278 and Minor works schemes.
• Specific targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
• Be mobile within an operational area and meet mobility requirements of the role, including having a driving licence and access to a vehicle or equivalent arrangements.

Qualifications

• HNC or equivalent qualification, or experience in highways; Membership of the Institute of Clerk of Works desirable.
• NRSWA accreditation (supervisor's certificate), CSCS; SMSTS desirable; proven experience of inspection and/or supervision of construction of a wide range of highway schemes.
• Appropriate knowledge of Health and Safety and Environmental legislation as it pertains to highway works and CDM regulations and practices.
• Experience dealing with contractors and members of the public on large-scale developments and public realm works.
• Line Manager responsibilities and experience in conducting performance development reviews.
• Knowledge of Highway Authority and Local Government policies, practices and procedures relation to highways maintenance and NEC contracts.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships, prioritise work to support business priorities, and manage conflicting tasks and demands.

Additional information

Essex County Council is a Disability Confident Leader and is committed to equality of opportunity, safeguarding, and the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. We are committed to offering reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process and to interview all eligible disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements where possible. For more details, please refer to our careers site.