Directorate:                         Place             

Starting salary:                   Career Grade JG4:- £22,369 per annum to JG7:- £31,099 per annum, starting salary is dependent up on skills and experience

Location:                               Materials Testing Laboratory Flax Bourton

Hours:                                    37 hours per week

Contract:                               Permanent

Closing date:                       Friday 24 March 2023

​North Somerset’s Materials Laboratory requires a Career Grade Technician / Engineer to undertake accredited testing and sampling of materials for design or compliance on highway works to current British and European standards.  The laboratory provides a service to North Somerset Council and a number of other authorities.

You will be undertaking site tasks such as coring the road to determine its make-up, assessing if contamination is present, sampling loose aggregates from stockpiles, sampling hot material from the road paving machines on live working sites, compliance testing will also be carried to ensure quality of the product is as expected, you will also undertake other tests as required from design engineers.

The laboratory is UKAS accredited, you will be expected to carry out tasks in a methodical repeatable order and record findings / outcomes in according with rigorous quality standards.

You will be expected to work outside in all weathers sometimes on your own when sampling. Night-time and occasional weekend work will be required.

Due to the nature of the materials, large sample sizes and the requirements of the testing the work is physically demanding, the role will include manual handling and lifting, there is controlled exposure to noise, chemicals, dust and other hazards, safety measures are in place that must be adhered to, including the use of lifting aids, training will be given where necessary.

Experience of working in an highways based UKAS accredited laboratory equivalent civil engineering, asset management roles or the construction industry is preferred but not essential.

As a minimum you will be educated to GCSE level or equivalent in Maths, English and/or Science subjects or NVQ 2 level qualification. Proven experience and qualifications will be reflected in your starting salary.

For those with no direct experience of highway engineering or materials testing, the successful candidate will receive training and development to allow them to undertake the full range of activities undertaken by the laboratory.

The Council operates a Career Grade system the successful candidate will be offered the grade appropriate to their qualifications and experience.  

Driving is an essential requirement of the role. You must hold a valid driving licence preferably inclusive of a Trailer Category but not essential as training will be available.

Want to know more and apply?

For more information or an informal discussion about the role, please contact  Paul Stewart, Lead Engineer on 07778 788988

Visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/jobs-training/council-jobs to download an application pack and apply online.

Anticipated interview date:       Monday 03 April 2023

North Somerset Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of our community regardless of age, disability, sex, race, religion, belief or sexual orientation. North Somerset Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.