Bridge Inspector

About the job

Key information

• This role provides the opportunity for hybrid working, allowing you to work either from home, subject to managerial approval, or from one of our offices.
• 28 days’ annual leave (in addition to bank holidays).
• The contract offered is permanent and full-time (37 hours per week).

What will I be doing?

Somerset Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of the County’s Highway Bridge, Culvert and retaining wall stock which stands at over 2500 structures.

This stock contains a wide variety of asset types in respect of their form, construction, material, span and location. There are a significant number of masonry arches and simply supported reinforced concrete slabs as well as retaining walls of different construction forms and, or course, large multi-span structures, all located in both rural and urban areas. The oldest asset is Tarr Steps a 17 span Clapper Bridge reportedly dating back to prehistoric times located in Exmoor. We also have a bascule bridge, canal swing bridges, footbridges, fords, railway bridges (used and disused), road bridges, tunnel, and watercourse structures in our diverse stock. The stock continues to grow through our new highway schemes and developers’ projects.

We’re working to improve the lives of people here in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will primarily involve:

Undertaking inspections, investigations and surveys to bridges and structures, either as principal or in supporting role. Collate findings and prepare inspection reports in written or electronic formats.

However, it is likely to also include:

• Initiating and delivering minor routine bridge and structures maintenance schemes and, under supervision, initiate, develop and deliver elements of the selected bridge or structures maintenance and improvement projects.
• Assisting with the co-ordination and supervision of new-build, maintenance, improvement and strengthening of projects.
• Supporting senior colleagues with the preparation of schedules, reports, calculations, costings, technical data, programmes of work, presentations and briefings for internal, stakeholder and public use relating to Somerset Council structures.
• Acting as a point of contact for the public, interest groups, and councils, for individual structures projects and programmes.

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, with agreement from the manager.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you have good standards of numeracy, literacy and ICT, as well as being educated to or working towards HNC Level.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

What is in it for me?

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

Supporting documents and information

The salary for the role is Grade 12, ranging from £28,598 – £32,061 per annum.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Paul Tucker on 07824 460548 or paul.tucker@somerset.gov.uk

* The means to travel across the county including rural areas not covered by public transport is necessary to carry out this role. *

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button – we can’t wait to hear from you.

Apply on the Somerset Council website

Apply now