Engineer (Structures and Tunnels)

Role Responsibility

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced individual who is keen to demonstrate their experience in tunnels. We will consider demonstrable experience in relatable mechanical, electrical or roadside technology environments.  

The role can be based at our offices in Maidstone or Ashford. 

The successful candidate will join the team responsible for managing and operating Kent County Council’s highway tunnels and safety barriers. You will be overseeing Tunnel maintenance, servicing and improvement schemes with the Programme Manager for Tunnels, also working closely with contractors and professional services. You will assist in the development and management of our asset management databases/systems such as Confirm, CEMAR and ThinkProject.  

The role will be challenging and varied, and we will offer the successful applicant an opportunity to develop their career with a client organisation in the Highway Engineering sector. Tunnels do require occasional night working.  

About you 

We are looking for an Engineer with experience working with road tunnels or a suitably experienced individual with relevant experience working directly with mechanical, electrical or roadside technology environments. 

The successful candidate will be able to support works delivery on time, to quality and safely. You will be highly organised, with the ability to understand and review multiple projects at a time. You will have experience of asset management and be comfortable with decision making to support the continued and compliant function of critical life safety and engineering assets; in-line with Tunnel Minimum Operating Requirements.  

You will be capable of supporting projects/work streams including: 

• Adopting a risk-based approach to scoping works.
• Developing the delivery of the forward works programmes for both tunnels and safety barriers.
• Assisting in forming the scope for, procurement of and delivery of the works programmes.
• Engaging with stakeholders and wider Highways teams to support delivery of the tunnels and safety barriers programmes and ensure compatibility with wider Highways programmes.
• Review briefs for consultants and contractors, bid/quote analysis and contract administration.
• Assist in financial reporting for the tunnels and barriers team

Kent County Council is responsible for a highway network of 8700km, with our highway network being the most valuable asset we own as an authority. The Highway Structures and Tunnels in our care represent a significant proportion of the value of the highway network and as a team we take great pride in managing those assets effectively for both current and future generations. We are responsible for approximately 1,100 bridges and viaducts, 570 large culverts, 450 other structures (such as retaining walls, underpasses and gantries) and 2 tunnels. We are also responsible for over 250km of safety barriers on the network as a team. 

Kent County Council’s values are: 

• We are brave. We do the right thing, we accept and offer challenge.
• We are curious to innovate and improve.
• We are compassionate, understanding and respectful to all.
• We are strong together by sharing knowledge.
• We are all responsible for the difference we make.

Kent County Council is passionate about diversity and offer a generous pension, extensive training opportunities and a flexible approach to working with a focus on the people in the organisation as individuals. Staff are supported to work flexibly with a mixture of home working, site working and office-based working. 

Due to the variety of locations in Kent of our assets, you will require a valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle to be able to undertake site visits. 

This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification. 

KCC flexible deployment policy may apply to this role. 

As part of the interview process for this role you may be required to complete additional testing. 

Contact Details

For further information regarding this role, pleasecontact:

Whitney Gee 

Programme Manager & Tunnel Manager  

Whitney.Gee@kent.gov.uk 

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.