The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Are you passionate about keeping highways safe, accessible and well-maintained? We're looking for a proactive and customer-focused Highways Inspector to join our Highway Maintenance Team.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in managing and maintaining the public highway network, ensuring that roads, footways and associated infrastructure meet required safety standards while helping to improve the local environment for residents, businesses and visitors.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About The Role:
As a Highways Inspector, you will undertake routine and reactive inspections across the highway network, identify defects, monitor street works activities, and ensure compliance with relevant highways legislation.
You will work closely with utility companies, contractors, developers and internal stakeholders to help deliver a safe and efficient highway service.
Key responsibilities include:
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Carrying out highway safety inspections and defect investigations.
- Monitoring and inspecting street works and highway activities in accordance with the New Roads and Street Works Act.
- Identifying safety issues and arranging appropriate remedial actions.
- Investigating highway-related accident claims and maintaining accurate records.
- Managing licences including scaffolding and hoarding permits.
- Responding to enquiries from residents, councillors and other stakeholders.
- Supporting the delivery of highway maintenance and asset management objectives.
About You:
You will have experience working within a highways maintenance, street works or similar operational environment, with a good understanding of highway inspection processes and relevant legislation.
You'll be confident in identifying and assessing defects, making informed decisions and taking appropriate action to ensure the safety and integrity of the highway network. A recognised Highway Inspector qualification, or a willingness to work towards one, is desirable, along with a current UK driving licence.
We're looking for someone with excellent communication and customer service skills who can build positive working relationships with residents, contractors, utility companies and colleagues.
You'll be organised, self-motivated and able to manage a varied workload, often working independently and using your initiative to resolve issues. Most importantly, you'll take pride in delivering a high-quality service and be committed to helping maintain a safe and efficient highway network for everyone who uses it.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
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Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position please contact Richard Ponchaud, Highway Asset Manager on [email protected]
Closing Date: Wednesday 24th June 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Setup: In person at 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX
