Group Engineer Bridges

As a Group Engineer with the Bridges Technical Support team, you’ll thrive on and take pride in the work that we do to support the management, maintenance, improvement and continued safety of our highway structures assets.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our and ambitions.

About you

As a Group Engineer, you will bring to the role:

The ability to manage and monitor performance effectively and set clear objectives for the review of individual and service level performance.  The ability to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities. Extensive experience in highway structure engineering. Experience of working within the framework of highway legislation and statutory procedures relevant to highway structures. A working knowledge of the CDM regulations.

About the role 

As our next Group Engineer, you’ll assist and support the Principal Engineer to deliver a varied programme of technical work, consisting of highway structures assessment and design, development of projects, including contract preparation and supervision, structural assessments, technical appraisal and approval of third-party proposals and management of our engineering partners.

The role is integral to the Bridges team, which forms part of the Highways and Transportation service. We are responsible for the management, maintenance and design of over 4,000 highway structures, which include road and footbridges, culverts, subways and retaining walls.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. 

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. 

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job Purpose: 

To manage a group within the Bridges Section to provide a client service for all aspects of highway structures including the preparation of briefs for assessment, investigation and inspection, maintenance, strengthening, reconstruction and new construction.

To manage a group within the Bridges Section to provide a consultancy service for all aspects of highway structures including (but not limited to) asset management, feasibility studies, design and assessment, inspections, maintenance and contract management.

To manage primary information for forward planning, resourcing and budgetary control.

To be responsible to the Principal Engineer Bridges for the monitoring of abnormal load movements within West Yorkshire on behalf of the District Councils.

Responsibilities for Grade:

To manage a defined activity or a small range of the Department’s activities to ensure delivery of Best Value services to customers, to meet the objectives of the Council’s Corporate Plan and comply with Government Standards.

To motivate, develop and coach within your area of the directorate to achieve Corporate Plan, Service Plan and team plan objectives.

To undertake and manage the delivery of specified elements of the Team Plan, Service Plan and Corporate Plan in relation to a defined activity or small range of activities, in order to meet targets and achieve improvements. 

Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement areas, focussing on equality of outcome.

Develop and manage cost effective digital solutions for the management and maintenance of structures assets (asset management software, Building Information Modelling (BIM) or similar).

Actively support continuous improvement initiatives through contributing to cross Council projects and supporting Service Management Team.

Within a small service area or number of areas, to take responsibility for maintaining effective communications with staff, service users, councillors, trade unions, partners and other stakeholders in accordance with Council good practice and with regard to implementing e-government objectives.

To work with elected members, service users and community representatives in ways which support open, responsive and accountable government.

To develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers and other stakeholders to achieve corporate objectives and to maintain a position of service provider of first choice.

To be accountable for the safety of staff, service users and contractors in accordance with the Department Health and Safety Policy.

To provide appropriate advice relating to the work of the Directorate to Members and council officers so as to manage risk and support them in their respective roles.

Manage the work of a team of engineers, graduate engineers, technicians and inspectors dealing with the inspection, assessment, maintenance, new construction and management of highway structures within Leeds ensuring that all design work achieves high standards of urban design and contributes to the sustainability agenda.

Support and assist the Principal Engineer Bridges with the development of policies, priorities and programmes which support efficient service delivery, continuous improvement and corporate objectives.

Develop, prioritise and manage programmes of inspections, assessments, maintenance and strengthening as required of Leeds owned highway structures and structures owned by Network Rail, Historical Railways Estate., Canal and River Trust etc., including the preparation of contract documents and repair schedules, the maintenance of records and risk analysis.

Provide a high quality and cost-effective consultancy service through the management of resources within the team to ensure optimum use of resources and accurate delivery of work to programme and budget.

Prepare cost estimates, feasibility studies and maintenance budgets for inclusion in funding bids, including monitoring annual revenue and capital maintenance budgets and advise the Principal Engineer Bridges.

Monitor the delivery of schemes for the procurement of new structures, strengthening and maintenance of existing structures, acting as Client Manager including monitoring and agreeing technical matters arising from construction work on structures.

On behalf of the T.A.A, manage and organise aspects of the Technical Approval Procedures, ensuring that all work is produced to the appropriate local, national and corporate standards, policies and practices, including independent checking and certification of checks commensurate with the grading of the post.

Supervise the monitoring of abnormal load movements throughout West Yorkshire including all necessary liaison with the District Councils of Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield.

Assist the Principal Engineer Bridges with the preparation of Reports to the Director, or the Council as required.

Monitor and control works to achieve economic design and construction budgets and in compliance with Standard Contract Documentation.

Advise the Engineer’s Representatives and Project Managers under his/her control on all Contractual Matters.

Ensure that contract works are properly measured, recorded and supervised and that all claims and disputes are fully documented and referred to the required level of authority for resolution where necessary.

Deal with correspondence associated with all aspects of contract works and prepare specific reports in relation to works under his/her control and ensure that a high standard is maintained in the preparation of other written matter associated with the works.

Deputise for the Principal Engineer Bridges in his/her absence for duties commensurate with the grade of the post.

Represent the Service, the Department and the Council as a senior officer for all aspects relating to highway structures.

Assist in the development of partnership working.

Work co-operatively with other teams in the Department to effectively respond to cross-cutting issues within the Council as defined by the Bridges Manager.

Qualifications:

Incorporated Engineer with an appropriate professional institution (AMICE or similar) or extensive equivalent appropriate experience. A degree or degree level qualification or comparable relevant experience.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION: Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills:

Ability to provide leadership, which empowers colleagues and staff to achieve results.

Ability to manage and monitor performance effectively and set clear objectives for the review of individual and service level performance.

Ability to interpret corporate visions and values and put into practice through agreed policies and strategies.

Ability to make an effective contribution to internal and external meetings.

Ability to take forward initiatives and policies from development to implementation.

Ability to resolve conflict.

Ability to develop and contribute to partnerships involving various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.

Ability to develop productive working relationships that command respect, trust and confidence.

Ability to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.

Knowledge:

Involvement in preparing, managing and controlling budgets.

A degree or degree level qualification or comparable relevant experience.

Extensive experience in highway structure engineering.

Experience of working within the framework of highway legislation and statutory procedures relevant to highway structures.

A working knowledge of the CDM regulations.

Understanding of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context.

Understanding of and commitment to sustainability in service delivery.

Understanding of public sector issues.

An understanding of service delivery issues.

Experience:

Extensive equivalent appropriate experience of a service or operational area relevant to the service area.

Experience of managing services to meet customer needs.

Experience of working effectively with others to deliver cross-cutting projects.

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics 

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.

Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.

Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.

Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.

Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities. 

Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. 

Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.

Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.

Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council. 

Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.

The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Ability to work in confined spaces.

Ability to contribute to change programmes, improve service quality and support culture that drives up standards and performance.

Incorporated Engineer and Member of appropriate professional institution (AMICE or similar).

Possession of a full driving licence.

Working knowledge of Computer Aided Design and Management software.

Experience of the public sector and its relationship with the private and third sectors.

Experience of BIM.

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