Community Highways Officer

Overview

Dorset Council is seeking to appoint two Community Highways Officers, one based in the North Dorset area and the other in the West Dorset region. These officers form part of the Community Highways Team, serving as the initial contact point for all stakeholders including the public, parish and town councils, and elected members, to report highway defects or related concerns.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct regular inspections of highways to document safety defects and identify maintenance requirements, ensuring compliance with the Highways Act 1980 and maintaining Section 58 defense against highway claims.
• Engage proactively with residents and landowners concerning enforcement matters affecting highways and public safety, such as managing overgrown vegetation or removing obstructions.
• Manage local minor highway improvements, utilizing small capital budgets for tasks like minor traffic control implementations, small-scale drainage repairs, and installing pedestrian dropped crossings in collaboration with disabled community groups.
• Assess and approve licenses for activities on highways, including sitting out areas, skip placements, and scaffolding permissions.
• Provide expert technical guidance and support to colleagues and customers regarding highway matters.
• Participate in meetings with local councillors and residents to address highway-related issues.
• Ensure timely completion of highway inspections and uphold legal responsibilities under the Highways Act 1980.
• Represent Dorset Council in court for highway-related cases when required.
• Collaborate regularly with Town and Parish Councils on highway concerns.
• Maintain and manage assigned equipment such as PCs, mobile communication devices, and specialized technical tools.

Candidate Profile

• Capable of working effectively within a team setting while providing guidance and advice to peers.
• Demonstrates confident and respectful communication skills with excellent interpersonal abilities.
• Flexible and adaptive to change in work processes or environments.
• Committed to providing excellent customer service and able to interpret and apply procedures accurately.
• Strong written and oral communication proficiencies.
• Exemplary time management skills with the ability to meet prescribed deadlines.
• Proficient in using IT systems and tools relevant to the role.
• Possession of a valid driving license is mandatory.

Additional Information

This role requires daily engagement with the local community and stakeholders, representing Dorset Council's interests while ensuring public concerns are heard and addressed. Officers will receive training and developmental support to aid career progression and are encouraged to contribute to a positive and inclusive working environment.

Dorset Council is committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, guaranteeing interviews to candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria.

The position is based in the UK, and eligibility to work in the UK will be verified as part of the recruitment process.