Date: 22 Jun 2026
Location: Taunton, GB, TA1 4DY
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Company: Somerset Council
Closing date: 7 July 2026
Salary: £32,597 - £36,363 per annum.
Role summary:
You’ll be supporting the effective management, inspection and maintenance of Somerset Council’s bridges and highways structures.
You’ll be undertaking technical inspections, surveys and investigations. You will play a key role in coordinating on-site works and supporting project delivery, assisting in the planning and delivery of routine and minor schemes.
This role requires significant collaboration, including liaising with contractors, stakeholders and internal teams. You will also be required to supervise routine activities and support junior staff. Your work in this role will contribute to the delivery of safe, reliable and sustainable infrastructure. You will be ensuring that programmes of work are delivered efficiently and effectively.
What you’ll do - key responsibilities:
Undertake inspections, investigations and surveys to bridges and structures.
Initiate and deliver routine bridge and structures maintenance schemes.
Coordinate and supervise project teams. Supervise and support new starters, junior technicians and graduates.
Collate findings and prepare inspection reports in written or electronic formats.
Coordinate and supervise routine and minor on-site works to highways structures.
What we’re looking for – knowledge, experience & skills:
Essential
Knowledge of bridge and highway structures inspection, maintenance and improvement activities.
Understanding of relevant engineering principles and their practical application to structures.
Knowledge of health and safety requirements relating to site-based works and inspections.
Awareness of stakeholder and public engagement considerations in highways or infrastructure projects.
Experience of undertaking or supporting inspections, investigations or surveys of structures and preparing reports.
Experience of delivering or supporting routine maintenance or minor improvement schemes.
Experience of working collaboratively with internal colleagues, contractors and stakeholders.
Experience of contributing to technical reports, documentation, or engineering outputs.
A relevant Level 3 qualification (e.g. BTEC, NVQ) or equivalent in civil engineering or related discipline, or demonstrable equivalent experience.
Evidence of continued professional development in a relevant technical field.
Ability to undertake inspections, analyse findings and produce clear, accurate written and electronic reports.
Ability to organise, prioritise and support delivery of multiple tasks or projects.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills to liaise with colleagues, contractors and stakeholders.
Ability to apply technical knowledge to problem-solving and decision-making in a structured environment.
A full UK driving licence is essential for this role.
Desirable
Knowledge of relevant design standards, codes of practice and inspection regimes for highway structures.
Understanding of local authority procedures and governance relating to highways structures.
Awareness of project management principles in a highways or engineering environment.
Knowledge of sustainability, resilience and asset management approaches in infrastructure.
Experience co-ordinating or supervising small teams or on-site works.
Experience working within a highways or local authority environment.
Experience supporting feasibility studies and options appraisal for engineering works.
Experience acting as a point of contact for stakeholders, communities or external partners.
Degree or higher qualification in civil engineering or a related discipline.
Membership of, or working towards membership of, a relevant professional body (e.g. ICE, IStructE).
Relevant health and safety or site-based qualification (e.g. CSCS).
Ability to supervise or support others, including junior staff or trainees.
Skills in coordinating on-site works and managing competing demands on resources.
Ability to prepare technical data, costings, programmes and presentations.
Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across teams and external organisations.
Additional Information:
This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week.
A full UK driving licence is essential for this role.
30 days of annual leave (additional to bank holidays)
Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship
For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Paul Tucker, Service Manager - Structures, via email at
[email protected].
A full job description can be found here: Assistant Engineer - Job Description - AG0325
