Highway Inspector

Closing date: 31 May 2026

Salary: £28,598 - £32,061 per annum

Role summary:

You’ll be playing a key role in ensuring the safety of the public highway network across Somerset. You will do this by undertaking a programme of highway safety and condition inspections, identifying defects and hazards and ensuring appropriate and timely actions are taken which can protect our highway users.

You’ll be working closely with colleagues, contractors and external stakeholders. You’ll be responsible for providing professional judgement and technical input, with a strong focus on customer care, health and safety. You will be seen as a key member of the highway management service who will be responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of a quality highway service in Somerset.

What you’ll do - key responsibilities:

• Undertake and record Highway Safety Inspections. Identify safety defects which are hazardous to highway users.
• Measure and record dimensions, location, type and severity of defects. Create electronic works order specifying appropriate repairs.
• Provide a duty of care to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that works are safe and without risk to health and safety.
• Liaise with Area Highways staff and external contractors regarding highway repairs.
• Where required, represent the Council in legal proceedings, providing evidence in relation to highway inspections and insurance claims.

What we’re looking for – knowledge, experience & skills:

Essential

• Knowledge of highway inspection practices, standards and procedures, including safety and condition inspections.
• Understanding of relevant highway legislation, codes of practice and health and safety requirements.
• Knowledge of risk assessment principles and the ability to prioritise defects based on risk.
• Experience of undertaking inspections, surveys or assessments in a highways, construction, engineering or similar operational environment.
• Experience of identifying defects or hazards and recommending appropriate remedial actions.
• Experience of working independently, managing workloads and meeting deadlines.
• Experience of using IT systems to record inspections, defects and actions accurately.
• A relevant qualification or equivalent experience in highways, construction, civil engineering or a related field.
• Full, current driving licence and ability to travel across the county as required.
• Ability to make sound, evidence-based decisions using professional judgement.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, accurate records and reports.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, contractors and stakeholders.
• Customer-focused approach with a commitment to safety, integrity and accountability.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Somerset Council policies, procedures and asset management approaches.
• Awareness of legal processes relating to insurance claims, public liability and evidence gathering.
• Knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion principles as applied to service delivery.
• Experience working within a local authority or public sector environment.
• Experience of giving evidence or supporting legal proceedings related to highways matters.
• Experience of working with contractors and monitoring works on site.
• Experience of using highway asset management or inspection software.
• Professional or technical qualification related to highway inspection or civil engineering.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.
• Ability to contribute to service improvements and procedural development.
• Confidence presenting technical information to a range of audiences.
• Coaching or mentoring skills.

Additional Information :

• This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week. Hours of work are flexible to meet the requirements of inspections being carried out within required timescales.
• Your work base will be at County Hall, Taunton but the majority of your time will be as a mobile worker (vehicle supplied) inspecting Somerset’s highways.
• 28 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 Sweetman, Service Manager Highway Risk, via email at paul.sweetman@somerset.gov.uk.  

A full job description will be provided to shortlisted candidates or on request via recruitment@somerset.gov.uk .