We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.
This development role has a starting salary of £27,634 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.
We are excited to be hiring a PDP Highway Construction Compliance Technician to join our fantastic highway laboratory and compliance team based in Guildford.
This position presents an exceptional opportunity for an individual who excels in hands-on practical learning and aspires to start a new career with Surrey Highways. The team is committed to the training and development of new staff through the Professional Development Programme (PDP), which is instrumental in preparing the next generation of Surrey highways personnel.
The PDP scheme encompasses three pay grades and offers on-the-job learning, a professional qualification, and the requisite experience to become a valued technician within the team. The primary responsibility of this role is to assist our engineers with onsite testing and sampling, ensuring optimal value for Surrey's residents. This role is active in nature, involving a substantial amount of outdoor work and driving throughout Surrey in our fleet.
No previous civils experience is required for this role.
Rewards and Benefits
* 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
* Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
* An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
* Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
* Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
* A generous local government salary related pension
* Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
* 2 paid volunteering days per year
* Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
* Flexible daily working hours to maximise the individuals work/life balance
About the Role
The Compliance Team sits within the wider Laboratory Services Team and is responsible for carrying out a range of UKAS accredited site-based testing and sampling of material. As a team we work closely with internal and external clients, providing a range of specialist and technical testing services related to highways. We also advise and assist colleagues, Members, customers, and stakeholders to maximise service quality and efficiency.
This Professional Development Programme (PDP) position offers a well-established career development opportunity for individuals seeking to embark on a career in civil engineering. During the initial weeks, you will meet the team and engage in shadowing and assisting various staff members as they undertake a range of activities. Subsequently, you will begin learning testing and sampling procedures, progressing through the PDP role as you acquire knowledge and skills. In the long term, you will proactively manage site operations, providing data and results to the team.
This role includes comprehensive support to develop the skills, competencies, and relevant experience necessary to attain a professional qualification in civil engineering. Key objectives will be established to enable you to advance through the PDP pay grades and ultimately achieve the status of a fully trained technician at grade PS7 (£33,552 to £35,763 per annum).
Please note this role predominantly involves onsite work alongside our contractors to monitor, test, and sample materials used in highway construction. Consequently, there will be elements of lone working, night shifts, and driving laboratory vehicles to and from sites.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position your CV and answers to the questions below will clearly evidence:
* Minimum of 5 GCSE's or equivalent
* Good standard of communication skills
* Flexibility to work unsocial hours when required
* An interest in pursuing a career in civil engineering
Surrey has both urban and rural areas therefore candidates will be expected to have a valid manual driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
As part of your application you will be asked to answer the following questions:
1. What are you looking for in a new career?
2. What motivates you to do your best work?
3. These roles are used to develop and train staff in forming a career within Surrey Highways. What interests you about this role and a career in civil engineering?
4. This role has an element of working unsocial hours (night work) once fully trained. Would you be able to cover a share of the team's night shifts?
5. Is there anything you would like to add to support your application for this role?
Contact Us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion please contact James Nicholls and Mark Bustin by e-mail at James.Nicholls@surreycc.gov.uk and Mark.Bustin@surreycc.gov.uk .
The job advert closes on 21st August 2025 with interviews to follow.
We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
Local Government Reorganisation
Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.
Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.
Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council.
Our Behaviours
The Surrey Way behaviours are a guide that supports our council to work together effectively and deliver our best for our customers and communities, and for each other. Discover more about our behaviours.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:
* The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
* The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.
We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.