Engineer - maintenance & operations

Engineer - Maintenance & Operations

Permanent, Full Time

£39,222 to £46,143 per annum

Location: Colchester

Working Style: Anywhere worker

The Opportunity

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. Essex Highways is a delivery partnership between Essex County Council and our contractual partner.

Essex Highways Engineers will deliver a safe, sustainable and effective highway network for all road users, through sound asset management, scheme/programme identification, delivery, maintenance and management of the network. Liaising directly with elected members, district councils, strategic partners and other providers, the role will manage the implementation of the programmes of work relevant to an operational/service area, in accordance with the strategies and policies of the Council.

With extensive knowledge and application of Highway legislation, including Construction (Design and Management) Regulations and experience of a wide range of relevant engineering techniques and procedures, including the use of specialist software tools.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services

Accountabilities

* Responsible for the identification, design, planning, programming, ordering and monitoring of work and services, to ensure future programmes are delivered on time and within budget.
* Responsible for providing specialist advice and guidance to senior leaders/members and the general public on all highway related matters, to meet relevant targets and deliver high performance standards.
* Ensure strong budgetary control and financial management is undertaken for areas of responsibility in order to deliver programmes of work within the allocated budgets.
* Provide information to assist with the management and monitoring of the Essex Highways contract and work collaboratively with the others to ensure that they meet the service objectives.
* Work closely with solicitors, the DfT, land agents and other statutory and non-statutory bodies to instruct Essex Legal Services, Place Service and Lambert, Smith and Hampton in the preparation of legal agreements, notices and licences.
* Contribute to the preparation of reports for projects, submitting these to Local Highways Panels and relevant Council Committees, attending some meetings to provide support.
* Lead a team to deliver clear direction and motivation to maximise productivity. Monitoring team performance to drive efficient delivery and develop staff positively.
* Act as an expert witness at Crown Court, Public Inquiries and Hearings as required, preparing detailed evidence as a specialist on practice issues, liaising with Counsel and Solicitors in case preparation.
* Support Health and Safety, Environmental Management System, Quality Management System and Construction Design Management in a positive and constructive manner, with the aim of minimising work-related injuries by implementing ECC and Essex Highways policies and procedures.
* Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

* Educated to RQF Level 5 (Foundation degree) in related subject or equivalent proven experience in the field of highways and/or transportation.
* Evidence of continuing professional development, and expert knowledge in relevant professional area with Membership of the Institute of Civil Engineers, Institute of Highways & Transportation, Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers, or other appropriate professional body.
* Evidence of post qualification experience in the field of highways and transportation and project management and implementation.
* Extensive knowledge and application of Highway legislation, Health and Safety legislation including Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, relevant design procedures and standards/practice.
* Knowledge and experience of financial management and control measures.
* Experience of managing the development and implementation of the highway aspects of highways schemes including statutory processes. Detailed knowledge and experience of a wide range of relevant engineering or service techniques and procedures including being fully conversant with the use of specialist software tools.
* Ability to build and maintain effective internal and external working relationships and experience of dealing with members of the public.
* Ability to prioritise own workload and that of others to support business priorities.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government's devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and