6 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• This interim role leads the cyclical maintenance function within a Highways Maintenance service, with a strong focus on green infrastructure.
• The postholder will be responsible for designing and delivering planned maintenance regimes for natural highway assets including grass verges, hedges, shrubs, trees, and public Rights of Way.
• They will apply horticultural expertise to create sustainable and biodiversity-focused maintenance programmes while ensuring operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and positive community outcomes.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Develop and implement planned cyclical maintenance schedules for green highway assets using asset management systems (Aurora).
• Conduct regular site inspections across urban and rural highway networks, including remote and hard-to-access locations.
• Apply horticultural knowledge to assess, prioritise, and prescribe appropriate maintenance interventions for grass, hedges, trees, and verges.
• Support climate response initiatives through sustainable vegetation management, promoting biodiversity and nature recovery.
• Work with limited existing asset data, enriching records and developing improved datasets for ongoing maintenance planning.
• Investigate public reports of green infrastructure issues and respond effectively, balancing operational and ecological needs.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to support asset maintenance, governance, and community engagement.
• Ensure health and safety, environmental, and highways legislation compliance across all maintenance activities.
• Represent the service in stakeholder forums, public meetings, and internal project teams as required.
• Monitor contractor performance and budget adherence, providing reports and updates to senior leadership.
Skills/Experience:
• Extensive experience in planned maintenance of green infrastructure, including grass, verges, hedges, trees, and Rights of Way.
• Strong horticultural knowledge – able to identify species, understand seasonal requirements, and prescribe appropriate care regimes.
• Proficient in asset management systems (ideally Aurora or similar), with a strategic approach to data-led maintenance planning.
• Experience working outdoors in all weather conditions, including lone working.
• Strong understanding of biodiversity, sustainability, and environmental regulations relating to green space management.
• Excellent communication skills, able to liaise with the public, internal teams, and elected members.
• Ability to independently plan and navigate to remote sites without reliance on public transport.
• Effective report writing and ICT skills, including use of GIS or mapping tools such as MapInfo.
• Experience working in a highways, local authority or similar public service environment.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
Additional Information:
• Formal qualification in Environmental Management, Horticulture, Civil Engineering, Asset Management, or related discipline.
• Associate professional membership (e.g. CIHT, IHE, ICE, CIEEM, IAM).
• This is a full-time interim role, 37 hours per week.
• The postholder must have a valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for site visits.
• A minimum of 3 days per week working on-site at depots within the county is required.
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