Engineer (Highways)

Thrive Oldham are recruiting for an Engineer (Highways) in the Manchester area.

2 days a week in the office. May be required in magistrates court. Days TBC.

Highway Engineer - Stopping Up and Legal Closures

Job Purpose:

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Engineer to join our Highways team with a specialist focus on processing and managing stopping up and other legal highway closure under the Highways Act 1980 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. You will take ownership of these applications, ensuring that statutory procedures are followed, consultations are managed effectively, and legal orders are delivered in a timely and lawful manner.

In addition to this core responsibility, you will support the delivery and technical review of Section 278 and Section 38 highway agreements, particularly during period of lower demand in the stopping up workstream.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead on all stopping up and highway closure processes, including liaising with applicant, legal services, planning officers and the public.
• Manage and maintain a register of stopping up applications and provide progress updates to stakeholders.
• Interpret and apply relevant legislation and policy.
• Draft reports, legal notices, and formal orders in conjunction with legal services.
• Conduct site visits, consultations, and attend court hearings or public inquiries where necessary.
• Provide technical support on Section 278 and Section 38 agreements - assessing design submissions, inspecting works on site, and ensuring compliance with council standards.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to performance reporting.
• Assist with policy development and process improvements relating to highway closures and legal agreements.
• Represent the council at internal and external meetings as required.

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria:

• Strong understanding of relevant legislation, including the Highways Act 1980 and Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
• Experience handling statutory processes related to highways, public rights of way, or planning approvals.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple applications and meet statutory deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear reports, notices, and correspondence.
• Experience in liaising with a range of stakeholders, including legal teams, developers, local authorities, and the general public.
• Ability to interpret legal documents and plans.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in managing legal processes.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office and document management systems (GIS, AutoCAD, or similar).

Desirable Criteria:

• Previous experience working within a local authority, highways authority, or legal environment.
• Knowledge of Sec.278/Sec.38 processes.
• Knowledge of public consultation processes.
• Experience of presenting at committees, public meetings, or inquiries.
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIHT, RTPI) or working towards

Key Role Descriptors:

• The role holder will drive the delivery of a range of highway projects taking responsibility to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory legislation to achieve the Council's corporate aims and objectives.
• The role holder will lead in the provision of a highways consultancy service that is cost effective and essential to service users.
• The role holder will continually identify and champion opportunities to deliver improvement in service provision, implementing changes and driving efficiencies.

Key Role Accountabilities:

To lead, develop and maintain an efficient and effective highways consultancy service that is open to change and innovation and delivers an excellent service, working to ensure the highways service is the service provider of choice for customers and clients.

Lead the team in developing a strong culture of collaborative working across departments and functions, including liaison with external clients, contractors and suppliers in the delivery of services to the people of Manchester.

Drive the efficient and effective delivery of projects, managing stakeholder and customer expectations throughout the lifecycle of the project.

Closely monitor the performance of all contract management activities ensuring a high standard of service delivery and addressing issues in a timely and efficient manner.

Proactively utilise business management tools to maintain a transparent financial accounting system and expenditure forecast, taking accountability for resources allocated, providing regular updates.

Identify the changing needs of service users through appropriate systems. Assist in consulting all stakeholders regarding service development and feedback requirements to line management.

Maintain an up to date knowledge of legislation acting in an advisory role to stakeholders to ensure compliance, dealing effectively with highway legislative matters.

Actively strive to achieve efficiencies in project, programme and maintenance service delivery and improvements in the quality of service.

Act as an ambassador for the City Council in relation to Highways Services matters at a variety of public meetings using excellent communications skills to deliver information.

Provide leadership, direction and motivation to staff through appropriate management and identification of training and development needs to ensure their performance and contribution to the Council is maximised.

Display excellent presentation skills to represent the City Council undertaking consultation on contentious and difficult issues whilst being accountable to the public and sensitive to the diversity of communities.

Personal commitment to continuous self development and service improvement.

Through personal example, open commitment and clear action, ensure diversity is positively valued, resulting in equal access and treatment in employment, service delivery and communications

INDOLD