Job info	Job info details
Job title	Engineering Technician (Civil/Structural)
Strategic team/Directorate	Place
Service	Civil & Structural Engineering
Business unit	Engineering Services
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Engineering Design Manager
Accountable to (line manager)	Engineering Design Manager
Salary grade	I
JE ref	RES138a

1. Key purpose of job

• To undertake and fulfil an active role in the delivery of civil/structural engineering projects being undertaken by the engineering team to provide an efficient, economic and effective service, reporting to the Engineering Design Manager.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• To directly support the engineers with the preparation of civil/structural engineering designs and the preparation of general arrangement drawings, details and specifications for engineering schemes from feasibility to construction and maintenance.
• To actively develop detailed knowledge and experience through a combination of in post training and conducting Continuous Professional Development (CPD), to increase expertise and understanding of civil/structural engineering.
• Provide clients and the public with professional advice on general Civil/Structural Engineering matters relating to projects, or where a risk to property or human health exists.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
• Work on a variety of schemes and projects in such a 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, keeping the engineers regularly advised as to progress, future requirements and problem areas.
• Support the team in performing statutory duties and obligations identified in relevant legislation.
• Provide technical support to other team members including surveys and public engagement.
• Provide such assistance as may be requested by the Engineering Design Manager / Engineers.
• Prepare projects for external procurement.
• To supervise and report on contractors, consultants and other suppliers on internal and external projects to the engineers.
• Undertake surveys and produce detailed general arrangement drawings and construction details suitable for Building Regulations, Tender and Construction purposes from architectural base drawings and topographical survey plans.
• Produce high quality accurate AutoCAD production information and/or Revit 3D building models for a diverse range of complex civil/structural engineering projects with a value up to £10m.
• Assist with the administration of engineering contracts.
• Keep abreast of current relevant legislation and design standards.
• Consult with statutory undertakers, external partners and other individuals affected by works.
• Represent the Engineering team at meetings, design workshops, contract meetings, etc., with the support of the Engineers.
• Assist in ensuring the development and maintenance of sound engineering practices.
• Understand and highlight risks associated with projects and ensure that the Engineers are advised of any defects or hazards which require further input, or that the post holder cannot rectify themselves.
• Ensuring the development and maintenance of sound engineering practices.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• Understand systems of budgetary, accountancy and financial control used with relevant Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.
• The post holder is responsible for understanding effective financial monitoring, planning and control of budgets set for the schemes with which they are involved, which could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds in value.
• Taking off quantities and understanding Bills of Quantities.
• Taking site measurements and quantities and ascertaining agreement or otherwise with quantitative or financial targets.

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• Undertaking site supervision of contractors working on projects under the direction of the Engineers.
• Whilst this post does not directly line manage staff employed by Torbay Council, the role will involve supervision of projects to varying extents depending upon the complexity of the scheme. This is likely to involve being responsible for quality control, checking that structural elements have been constructed in accordance with the design drawings, ordering materials etc. Coordination of on-site investigations by contractors, such as opening up floors/ceiling to investigate the structure, or co-ordinate exploratory excavations.

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.
• 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 on 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 civil/structural detailing work.
• 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 weekly/monthly.
• Specialist computer software.

9. Key contacts and relationships

External

• Collaborating with external design team members regarding the preparation of civil/structural engineering designs and contracts.
• Managing external contractors working on behalf of Torbay Council and external clients.
• Consulting 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

• Collaborating closely with colleagues within the Engineering section and other Torbay Council departments to achieve positive scheme outcomes.

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

• All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Children's Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council.
• This post is office based at Moose Hall but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
• You will be asked 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.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks 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.
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes. If this post is a customer facing role and meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2017 (part 7) the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.

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	Engineering Technician (Civil/Structural)
Strategic team/Directorate	Place
Service	Civil & Structural Engineering
Business unit	Engineering Services

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• Able to communicate effectively with clients and the general public on a range of technical engineering matters, both verbally and in writing.
• ICT skills including using Microsoft packages and competent in the use of Microsoft Teams.
• Skilled in the use of AutoCAD and/or Revit structural detailing software.
• Good organisational skills including ability to manage, monitor and review own performance to meet targets.
• Ability to effectively prioritise workload and work on a range of projects concurrently through to completion.
• Ability to recognise hazards and assess risks with limited assistance from senior staff.
• Ability to interact with contractors on site, have an unbiased approach to people and the ability to deal tactfully and diplomatically with people of all ages and backgrounds.
• As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• Project management skills.
• Good presentation skills.
• Effective negotiation skills. 

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of sound engineering practices and design principles.
• Knowledge and understanding of Part A of the Building Regulations, British Standards and Eurocodes relevant to civil/structural engineering.
• Detailed knowledge of structural detailing in all principal building materials, including concrete, steel, masonry and timber.
• Detailed knowledge of reinforced concrete and structural steelwork construction practices and standard industry rules for concrete/steel detailing.
• Demonstrable capability to coordinate the preparation of general arrangement drawings, construction sections and specifications for a diverse range of civil/structural engineering schemes to values up to £10m for Planning, Building Regulations, Tender and Construction purposes under the supervision of the Engineers.
• Competent in the practice of checking and approving steel fabrication details.
• Detailed knowledge of AutoCAD and/or Revit structural detailing software.
• Knowledge of design process and experience working and assisting on a wide range of projects.
• Knowledge of design office practices to support the development of detailed drawings.

Desirable knowledge

• Knowledge of Procurement process.
• Basic understanding of contract procedures and contract law.

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Experience of formally responding to contractor RFI’s (Requests for Information) on live construction projects.
• Experience of dealing and communicating with the general public regarding engineering projects.
• Experience of representing the engineering team at progress meetings and design team meetings, with the support of senior colleagues, where required on more complex projects.

Desirable experience and achievements

• Experience of working with external organisations and other interest groups.
• Some experience of supervising civil/structural engineering contracts.
• Some experience in administering engineering contracts and use of methods of measurement.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Either an HNC, HND or BTEC/NVQ level 4 in a construction related subject (or able to demonstrate equivalent industry experience).

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• Working towards Technician Engineer professional membership status with the ICE or IStructE.
• Academic and/or vocational qualifications in Civil/Structural engineering design or related subjects.
• Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering.

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties.
• Ability to accommodate occasional unsociable hours.
• Ability to accommodate hybrid working and occasional out-of-hours working.
• DBS checked.