Highways Maintenance Supervisor
Careers Explorer:
Responsible for the design, planning and supervising those working on the maintenance and repair of the highway network.
Overview
As a Highways Maintenance Supervisor, you will lead the way in maintaining the nation’s pavements and road networks.
In this varied role, you will work in various locations in all weathers and spend time in an office environment attending meetings with clients reviewing contractual obligations within the business.
Your role as a supervisor includes interpreting contract details to ensure works are carried out to the highest standard, taking into account health, safety, welfare and environmental considerations.
You will be the on-site representative who ensures the overall quality of the finished contract in order to guarantee the works during the varied seasons of the year.
Throughout the year you would supervise the maintenance and repair of the highway network, the erection and maintenance of temporary traffic control devices and barriers, clearing of rubbish from roadsides, clearing hedgerows, felling trees and disposing of dead animals to comply with environmental and safety guidelines.
Top 5 Tasks
- Oversee, inspect and monitor the progress of the works
- Assign duties to team members
- Ensure a fully qualified and trained workforce is on site to satisfy contractual requirements
- Work in all weathers at various locations
- Measure and value the works and keep track of project costs.
Salary
Newly trained Highways Maintenance Operatives can earn around £17,000 – £20,000
Trained with experience Highways Maintenance Operatives can earn around £20,000 – £30,000, where those at senior level can earn up to £40,000.
Salaries typically depend on location, employer and level of responsibility.
Am I Suited?
- Problem solver
- Hands-on
- Technically-minded
- Excellent communicator
- Leader.
The UK has a road network totalling about 262,300 miles (422,100 km) of paved roads.
Qualifications
Employers will set their own entry requirements when selecting candidates. However, GCSE’s at Grade 9-4 (A*-C) level or an apprenticeship would help.
Staff wishing to work on a highway network must complete and gain the following technical & functional qualifications and statutory licences to work on the Highway: Supervisor qualifications in Temporary Traffic Management, New Roads & Street Works, Winter Service and Highway Maintenance.
Supervisors involved in supervising and monitoring winter service operations will on occasion assist in gritting and clearing of roads and if they are, will have to attain a Large Good Vehicle Licence (LGV) together with Operator Qualifications in winter service operations. They will be required to comply with The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) legislation and undertake at least seven hours of periodic training on an annual basis. Supervisors who assist with winter service should be familiar with the different types of snow clearing vehicles and methods, emergency procedures and driver hours and working time regulations.
