JOB DESCRIPTION Position Principal Engineer Date Prepared: Nov 2012 Title: Highway Maintenance Directorate: Environment and Regeneration JD Reference no Department: Public Realm Grade: PO6 Location: Low Hall, Argall Avenue or other locations within the Borough JOB PURPOSE To be responsible for the assessment, planning and undertaking of all maintenance and improvement activities on the fabric of the Borough highway network in order to ensure that the council meets its priorities and aspirations with regard to upgrading its roads and footways. To be responsible for undertaking research and development in highway engineering and to recommend innovative, more cost efficient and effective methods of highway maintenance management. GENERIC PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES 1. To play a key role in developing appropriate policies and procedures in relation to the maintenance of the borough highway network in keeping with the Council s priorities, relevant regulations, codes of practice and guidelines. 2. To keep up-to-date with and implement changes to revised technical standards, advances in technology and policies in accordance with all relevant highway legislation. 3. To be responsible for continuous research and development that would lead to new and innovative methods of working and procurement of materials to maintain the highway network in an effective and cost efficient manner. 4. To prepare complex reports and correspondence recommending amendments to highway policy. 5. To implement council policy, legislation and code of practice guidance in service areas managed, and to be of aware of and implement changes to - 1 -
revised technical standards, advances in technology and policy in accordance with all legislation. 6. To be responsible the annual assessment condition surveys and for the planning of investment and maintenance of the highway network in accordance with national standards and to report the data in a compatible format to IT systems currently in use by the Council. 7. To be responsible for the application of IT systems and to work closely with the Council s system administrators to upgrade and modernise systems to meet the needs of the service. 8. To prepare investment plans and programmes to raise and maintain the road network to a high standard. 9. To develop and maintain good and effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders on all areas of highway maintenance and improvements. 10. To manage an annual road maintenance programme up to 5m funded by internal budgets and external sources. 11. To promote customer care and be responsive to enquiries from the residents, community groups and elected members. 12. To advise internal and external consultants on all highway matters relating to traffic and highway schemes. 13. To write reports for cabinet and portfolio holder information and approval and to write project related correspondence, occasionally of a complex nature. 14. To develop effective working relationships with officers of the neighbouring councils and to share experience and knowledge in particular on new technology and practices. 15. To provide expert advice to other departments within the Council on highway engineering issues. 16. To understand and comply with the Council s Equal Opportunities Policy 17. All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to the Council s Core Values and to the Council s Management Standards for all management posts. 18. To uphold and comply with the statutory provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and any other associated legislation or Council Policies and procedures. - 2 -
The above mentioned duties are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out other duties as required by the service. Specific Additional Accountabilities 1. To take ownership of the Highway Asset Management Plan, review and update annually taking into account all relevant regulations, codes of practice and current standards. 2. To arrange for all condition assessment surveys of the highway network, analyse data and prepare investment and maintenance reports for senior management and the elected members as required. 3. To prepare annual programmes of major planned highway maintenance schemes including the principal roads renewal works funded by Transport for London. 4. To manage and administer contracts from the inception to completion in all aspects of civil engineering contract procedures and the Council s procurement rules including contract documentation, issue and analyse tenders, obtain approvals to award, legal agreements, appointment of contractors, and supervision of works through to the final account. 5. To be the CDM Coordinator under the Construction Design and Management Regulations on projects on the highway network where appropriate. 6. Where applicable, to utilise the term maintenance contract for highway works to undertake planned maintenance works. 7. To comply with procedures established under all relevant regulations including the New Road and Streetworks Act, Traffic Management Act and Road Traffic Act etc in the course of planning and delivering projects in a safe and coordinated manner. 8. To consult and liaise with statutory undertakers and to place orders on, programme and negotiate with statutory undertakers on all aspects of supply or diversionary works required for projects. 9. To manage annual road maintenance budget to meet the needs of the service and to prepare monthly progress and monitoring reports to update senior management. 10. To investigate and deal with enquiries and complaints regularly from the elected members, general public and others, and to respond effectively and efficiently within the set time limits. 11. To advise internal and external consultants on all highway matters relating - 3 -
to traffic and highway schemes. 12. To actively participate in meetings and seminars organised by regional groups of London councils and to report on outcomes. 13. To develop and maintain close contacts with professionals in highway engineering field to learn from their experience and to benchmark all aspects and operations of the post. 14. To promote partnerships and collaboration with other councils when such arrangements could benefit the Council in more efficient and cost effective service delivery. 15. To provide guidance and training to junior staff in the field of civil and highway engineering. 16. To prepare and implement risk assessment policies for all operational activities undertaken by the group. 17. To attend works outside normal working hours in all weather conditions as required on matters relating to Borough highways and to advise/direct contactors on appropriate emergency works to safeguard public safety. 18. To deputise for the Highway Network Manager. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Reports To: Highway Network Manager Responsible For: 01 Senior Engineer PO4 01 Assistant Engineer PO1 01 Trainee Technician Sc6 PO1 03 (on average) External Consultants 05 (on average) External Contract Managers Budgetary Control: revenue and capital maintenance annually up to 5 million Actions By Whom Position Date Job Description Sarath November 2012 Drafted Ranasinghe Job Evaluation completed JD & Grade confirmed to employees Highway maintenance Manager Enc. Person specification Departmental organisation chart - 4 -
PERSON SPECIFICATION Position Principal Engineer Date Prepared: Nov 2012 Title: Highways Directorate: Environment and Regeneration Position Number: Department: Public Realm Grade: PO6 Location: Low Hall, Argall Avenue or other locations within the Borough AF= Application Form I= Interview T= Test Person Specification Essential Desirable Method of Assessment 1 EXPERIENCE 1.1 Sound evidence of working in an organisation or business within either the public or private sector, in the highway engineering and maintenance field. 1.2 Management of professional & technical staff. 1.3 Dealing effectively with a wide range of teams, individuals and organisations. 1.4 Appointment and management of consultants and contractors. 1.5 Planning, programming and monitoring workloads, resources and budgets. 1.6 Stakeholder consultation. 1.7 Research and development in highway related technology. 1.8 Experience in public sector employment and an understanding of Local Government. 2. SPECIAL ABILITIES/APTITUDES 2.1 High level of self-management, organisational and leadership skills with a skill in problem solving and negotiation skills. - 5 -
2.2 Ability to lead and motivate staff and to act as a coach and mentor. 2.3 Commission and management of consultants and contractors on a range of projects, and ensuring that their work is carried out effectively. 2.4 Ability to interpret and utilise technical and/or complex information and to prioritise work programmes. 2.5 Ability to provide professional advice to elected members, senior management and others on highway engineering and maintenance. 2.6 Strong communication skills both verbal and in writing, and to adjust style and content to meet the needs of the audience. 2.7 Skills for chairing/ representing the Service or Council at public and professional meetings. 2.8 Ability to manage budgets effectively and efficiently. 2.9 Possess political awareness and an understanding of the democratic process. Ability to speak the most common community languages in Waltham Forest other than English. These include Turkish, Urdu, Somali, Albanian, Bengali, Hindi and French. 3. OTHER POSITION SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS 3.1 Knowledge and understanding of wide range of highway design, construction, assessment and maintenance methods. 3.2 Ability to present reports sometimes of a contentious nature to a large audience and to defend the Council's policy/stance on the issue. 3.3 Ability to promote and encourage innovation and excellence within the Section. - 6 -
3.4 Excellent IT skills including the ability to use Microsoft and bespoke engineering software packages. 3.5 Car owner/driver/valid car driving licence. 3.6 Fit and mobile for site work. 3.7 Commitment to the Council s Equal Opportunities Policy and Acceptance of their responsibility for its practical application. 3.8 Commitment to the Council s Core Values and the Management Standards 3.9 To understand and comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. 4. EDUCATION AND TRAINING 4.1 Minimum qualification of first degree in Civil Engineering or similar equivalent. 4.2 Chartered or incorporated membership of a relevant engineering institution. 4.3 Evidence of recent training on subjects relating to the post. 5. DISQUALIFYING FACTORS 5.1 Indication of sexist, racist or antidisability attitudes or any other attitudes inconsistent with the Council s Equal Opportunities Policy. - 7 -