Trainee Highway Compliance Technician

We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

This development role has a starting salary of £27,634 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.

We are hiring a new Trainee (PDP) Highway Compliance Technician to join our fantastic highway laboratory and compliance team based in Guildford.

This position presents an exceptional opportunity for an individual who excels in hands-on practical learning and aspires to start a new career with Surrey Highways. The team is committed to the training and development of new staff through the Professional Development Programme (PDP), which is instrumental in preparing the next generation of Surrey highways personnel.

The PDP scheme encompasses three pay grades and offers on-the-job learning, a professional qualification, and the requisite experience to become a valued technician within the team. The primary responsibility of this role is to assist our engineers with onsite testing and sampling, ensuring optimal value for Surrey’s residents. This role is active in nature, involving a substantial amount of outdoor work and driving throughout Surrey in our fleet.

No previous civil engineering experience is required for this role. We're looking for someone with the enthusiasm and the desire to learn over any qualifications or past experience in this field.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years’ service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents

About the Role

The Compliance Team sits within the wider Laboratory Services Team and is responsible for carrying out a range of UKAS accredited site-based testing and sampling of material. As a team we work closely with internal and external clients, providing a range of specialist and technical testing services related to highways. We also advise and assist colleagues, Members, customers, and stakeholders to maximise service quality and efficiency.

This Professional Development Programme (PDP) position offers a well-established career development opportunity for individuals seeking to embark on a career in civil engineering. During the initial weeks, you will meet the team and engage in shadowing and assisting various staff members as they undertake a range of activities. Subsequently, you will begin learning testing and sampling procedures, progressing through the PDP role as you acquire knowledge and skills. In the long term, you will proactively manage site operations, providing data and results to the team.

This role includes comprehensive support to develop the skills, competencies, and relevant experience necessary to attain a professional qualification in civil engineering. Key objectives will be established to enable you to advance through the PDP pay grades and ultimately achieve the status of a fully trained technician at grade PS7 (£33,552 to £35,763 per annum).

Please note this role predominantly involves onsite work alongside our contractors to monitor, test, and sample materials used in highway construction. Consequently, there will be elements of lone working, night shifts, Manual handling and driving the laboratory vehicles to and from sites.

Shortlisting Criteria

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• Good standard of communication skills
• Full manual UK driving licence
• Flexibility to work unsocial hours when required
• An interest in pursuing a career in civil engineering

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

1. What are you looking for in a new role?
2. This role has an element of working unsocial hours (night work) once fully trained. Would you be able to cover a share of the team’s night shifts?
3. These roles are used to develop and train staff in forming a career within Surrey Highways. What interests you in this role and a career in civil engineering?
4. Is there anything you would like to add to support your application for this role?

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Surrey has both urban and rural areas therefore candidates will be expected to have a valid manual driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion please contact James Nicholls and Mark Bustin by e-mail at James.Nicholls@surreycc.gov.uk and Mark.Bustin@surreycc.gov.uk.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 17th May 2026 with interviews to follow.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.