Highway Steward

Kent County Council (KCC) maintains 8,700km (5,400 miles) of highway network and associated "assets".

Our roads, footways, streetlights, street furniture, traffic signals, gullies and drains, trees, grass verges, signs, road markings, bridges and other structures are all different types of highway assets. These assets help to ensure that journeys around and through the county are safe and reliable.

As one of Kent's Highways Stewards you will play a key role in Kent County Council's management of a safe highway network.

You will be based at either our Aylesford highways depot but expected to work across the county as demand requires. As part of the Maidstone district team, the job of the Highway Steward includes responding to faults reported by customers, inspecting damage, and evaluating what is needed to repair damage in a timely way. This will also incorporate reacting to emergency situations on the highway (including winter gritting and other severe weather events) as well as engaging with local communities and local Councils. You will need to demonstrate the ability to use a risk-based approach and provide a practical and reasonable evaluation of the risks and potential consequences identified considering all highway users and in particular the most vulnerable.

Whilst you may already have knowledge of highway maintenance, this is not essential as this can be developed within the role, and any transferable skills applicants may have, will be considered. The role requires that processes are followed and, using the latest mobile technology, you will need to ensure accurate and timely records are kept and demonstrate attention to detail when raising job orders to ensure the safety of work crews and the travelling public. A New Roads and Street works qualification is required (training can be provided).

Candidates need to be articulate, flexible and have an ability to manage conflicting priorities and situations and resolve problems with positive solutions. There will be some physical elements to this role, such as minor tree cutting, sweeping and general minor housekeeping of the highway. IT proficiency is essential as is the ability to effectively communicate with customers, both internal and external, be it in person, on the phone or via written correspondence. If you can prioritise and organise your own workload and be a team player, work to tight deadlines, be methodical in your approach and have excellent customer service skills then this is the post for you.

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.

Susan Laporte, Highway Manager, Kent County Council. Telephonne 03000 413696. Email: Susan.laporte@kent.gov.uk.

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 and faiths, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

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