Job info |
Job info details |
Job title |
Graduate Civil/Structural Engineer |
Service |
Engineering |
Responsible to (day to day issues) |
Senior Engineer (Structures) |
Salary grade |
G |
1. Key purpose of job
- To assist and fulfil an active role in the delivery of civil/structural engineering projects being undertaken by the engineering team in order to provide an efficient, economic and effective service, reporting to the Senior Engineer.
2. Anticipated outcomes of post
- To actively assist the Senior Engineer with the preparation of civil/structural engineering designs and supervision of engineering schemes and other projects from feasibility to construction and maintenance.
- To ensure that all designs are undertaken in accordance with appropriate codes of practice and that all designs undertaken by the post holder are checked by a qualified engineer prior to issue.
- To actively develop knowledge and gain experience through a combination of in post training and carrying out Continuous Professional Development (CPD), to increase expertise and understanding of civil/structural engineering.
3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post
- Assist engineers and senior technicians working on a variety of schemes and projects in such manner to ensure that an expeditious, efficient, and cost-effective service is provided to meet the needs and priorities of the Council and other clients.
- Assist in undertaking and processing surveys and the production of detailed survey/topographical plans using modern electronic distance measurement equipment linked to computer programmes including PDS/Trimble Business Centre.
- Assist engineers and senior technicians in the production of highways and civil/structural engineering designs, plans, detailed drawings, bills of quantities and contract documentation using GIS systems and Autocad.
- Assist in the site supervision of contracts.
- Keeping abreast of current relevant legislation and design standards.
- To evaluate risks associated with projects.
- Responsibility for keeping the Computerised Highway Design and Survey Software up to date and general maintenance of, including survey equipment.
- Liaising with Statutory Undertakers and other individuals or bodies affected by works.
- Assisting in the preparation of reports and dealing with complaints and correspondence from the Public, Elected Members and other bodies, etc.
- Assisting in ensuring the development and maintenance of sound engineering practices.
- Undertaking reasonable out-of-hours working, if required.
- Following receipt of a design brief, the post holder working with engineers and senior technicians will be expected to assist in the design of the scheme, carry out surveying, prepare detailed drawings and assist in the preparation of the contract documentation.
- Whilst assisting engineers and senior technicians in supervising contracts, the post holder will be expected to liaise with the contractor, ensure the contractor is carrying out the works in accordance with the contract documents and specifications.
- The post holder will be expected to assist engineers and senior technicians in carrying out measures and agreeing accounts that are due to the contractor.
- Assist resolution of engineering project-based construction problems, including public interface, programme of works, technical issues, quality issues, financial issues and health and safety under the direction of the Senior Engineer.
- The post holder will work on multiple projects at the same time, working to competing deadlines to meet targets, balancing client and contractor management as well as ensuring compliance with relevant legislation.
- Provide advice and guidance to contractors on technical matters relating to approved designs for selected schemes in which the post holder is involved. The complexity of the projects and the technical demands will be commensurate with the graduate role and the post holder will act within parameters and guidelines set by the Senior Engineers.
- The post holder will be expected to exercise judgement to decide when to make assessments and decisions themselves and when to escalate technical complications and issues to senior colleagues in the engineering team.
4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post
- Assist in taking off quantities and producing Bills of Quantities.
- Assist with taking site measurements and quantities and agreeing accounts with contractors up to final account stage.
5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post
- Assist with supervision of contractors working on projects, to varying extents, depending upon the complexity of the scheme. This could involve being responsible for setting out, checking that structural elements have been constructed in accordance with the design drawings, ordering materials, reviewing quality etc. Co-ordination of on-site investigations by contractors, such as opening up floors/ceiling to investigate the structure, or co-ordinate exploratory excavations.
- Ensure that risk assessments are undertaken to eliminate or control risk, and to ensure safe working practices are developed and implemented to minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
- Ensure that the Senior Engineer is advised of any defect or hazard which requires further input, or the post holder cannot rectify themselves.
6. Working environment and conditions of the post
- Normal working environment and conditions when in the design office.
- General office-based design, attendance at meetings in other offices within Torbay and attendance at site meetings on local and regional projects.
- Carrying out surveying and supervision of schemes on the public highway.
- Work on construction sites generally within Torbay but occasionally further afield at all times of the year.
- Occasional working in high-risk environments such as coastal or flood defence structures, adjacent to highway/railway interface or in existing (possibly derelict) buildings.
- Working outside surveying/inspecting watercourses, coastal assets and building structures.
7. Physical demands of the post
- Normal physical effort for office-based design elements of the role.
- The postholder will be required to regularly attend site and occasionally to provide cover across the different engineering disciplines (coastal, highways, drainage, structures) which may require periods of intense physical demand.
- The post requires the inspection of various civil and structural engineering assets within Torbay, often involving intense effort on foot to reach remote sites. Some of these assets are in awkward to reach places i.e. down embankments, in overgrown areas or across fields etc.
- The above may require site attendance during periods of adverse weather conditions, possibly outside daylight hours. This will involve exposure to moderate noise, heat, cold and potentially uncomfortable or difficult surroundings / conditions.
8. Specific resources used by the post
- Surveying Equipment to undertake a variety of engineering functions – ranging in value from £500 to £25,000. Frequency of use is dependent on projects that are being undertaken but could be daily/weekly.
- Specialist computer software.
9. Key contacts and relationships
External
- Liaising with Torbay Council Departments regarding the preparation of urban, highway and other civil/structural engineering designs and contracts.
- Managing external contractors working on behalf of TDA, Torbay Council and other clients.
- Liaising with Statutory Undertakers and other individuals or bodies affected by the works.
- Dealing with members of the public, where appropriate, through consultations and supervision of contracts on site.
Internal
- Working closely with colleagues within the Engineering section and within TDA to achieve outputs as required by clients.
10. Other duties
- To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.
Other Information
- TDA is a trading name of Torbay Economic Development Company Ltd which is a company controlled by the Council of the Borough of Torbay.
- This post is based at Tor Hill House but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the TDA at a future date.
- TDA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo any checks appropriate to the post applied for. All staff and in particular managers, are responsible for corporate parenting for looked after children and young people within Torbay.
- Successful applicants would be expected to complete a Criminal Records Self Declaration Form. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post. You will only be asked to disclose ‘unspent’ convictions.
- TDA adopts a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any corporate buildings or enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings. Smoking breaks are not permitted within work time; however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement.
- All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
- The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Policies and Procedures.
Person Specification
Note for Candidate
All Candidates
The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement.
In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.
Candidates who consider that they have a disability
Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.
If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.
Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.
If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.
Job info |
Job info details |
Job Title |
Graduate Civil/Structural Engineer |
Service |
Engineering |
Skills and effectiveness
Essential skills and effectiveness
- Effective communication skills, including correspondence and report preparation.
- ICT skills including using Microsoft packages,
- Skilled in the use of GIS systems and Autocad.
- Ability to manage, monitor and review performance to meet targets.
- Ability to effectively prioritise workload and work on a range of projects simultaneously.
Desirable skills and effectiveness
- Highway design and surveying programmes including PDS and Trimble Business Centre linked to modern electronic distance measurement surveying techniques.
Knowledge
Essential knowledge
- Knowledge of sound engineering practices and design principles.
- Knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and statutory obligations and design standards in relation to civil/structural engineering.
- Knowledge of Civil Engineering Method of Measurement.
Desirable knowledge
- A basic understanding of contract procedurevs and contract law.
Experience and achievements
Essential experience and achievements
- Experience of meeting deadlines and managing multiple work programmes.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team to achieve successful outcomes.
Desirable experience and achievements
- Some experience of preparing contracts and design using the ICC or NEC Conditions of Contract and the DETR Specification for Highway Works and the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.
- Some experience of supervising civil/structural engineering contracts.
- Some experience in administering civil/structural engineering contracts and use of methods of measurement.
Qualifications/professional memberships
Essential qualifications/professional memberships
- Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering (or equivalent)
Desirable qualifications/professional memberships
- Academic and/or vocational qualifications in civil/Structural engineering design or related subjects.
Other requirements
Other requirements of the job role
- Ability to travel efficiently around the South West in order to carry out duties
- Ability to accommodate unsociable hours
- DBS check