Assistant Network Inspector

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Phoenix House Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 5NP
  or Halesworth Service Delivery, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8EN
  , On-site working
• Salary: £28,598 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent, 2 positions

When you join the Suffolk County Council
Network Assurance Team as an Assistant Network Inspector
, we'll support your development from the start. We'll help you to play to your strengths, diversify your skills and build an influential and impactful career. With a variety of career paths and learning opportunities to explore, if you're motivated and passionate there's no limit to how far your ambition could take you.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Network Assurance is responsible for managing the occupation of the County's road network and delivering Suffolk County Council's Network Management Duty in line with the Traffic Management Act and the New Roads and Street Works Act. The authority successfully introduced a Permit Scheme on the 1 April 2020.

As an Assistant Network Inspector, you'll play a key role in helping to keep Suffolk's road network safe, efficient, and working for everyone who uses it.

This is a varied, hands‑on role where no two days are the same. You'll spend time out on the network inspecting works, as well as working with colleagues and partners to coordinate activities and resolve issues. You'll be at the heart of ensuring works are carried out safely, to the right standards, and with minimal disruption to the public.

On a daily basis, you might:

• visit sites across Suffolk to inspect highway works at different stages, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards
• work closely with Network Assurance Inspectors and Network Co‑ordinators to support effective planning and coordination of works
• monitor contractors and utilities, ensuring safe working practices and addressing any non‑compliance
• investigate complaints from the public and respond to enquiries from stakeholders
• maintain accurate inspection records, including reports and photographic evidence
• support enforcement activity by gathering evidence and contributing to legal processes where required
• collaborate with colleagues, contractors, and partners to minimise disruption and improve outcomes across the network.

You'll be trusted to take initiative, think critically, and build strong working relationships across a wide range of people, making a real, visible difference to communities across Suffolk.

We're excited to welcome someone into this role who is curious, proactive, and ready to grow.

We're looking for someone who is enthusiastic, motivated, and eager to build a career in highways and network assurance.

We hope you'll bring:

• a genuine interest in highways, construction, or infrastructure
• strong communication skills, with the confidence to speak to a variety of audiences
• good organisational skills and the ability to manage your own workload effectively
• a proactive approach to problem‑solving and decision‑making
• the ability to work independently while also being a supportive team player
• confidence to build positive relationships with colleagues, contractors, and the public.

It would be great if you also have:

• knowledge of highways legislation such as the New Roads and Street Works Act or Traffic Management Act
• experience in a highways, construction, or inspection‑based role
• familiarity with IT systems and record‑keeping
• knowledge and experience of working and/or operating within a Permit Scheme.

But don't worry if you don't have everything, we value your attitude, willingness to learn, and transferable skills just as much. We'll support you to develop your knowledge and grow in the role.

You can travel across Suffolk and be flexible in your approach to working hours when required.

You'll be joining the Network Assurance team within Suffolk Highways, a collaborative partnership focused on maintaining and improving Suffolk's road network.

Our team is proud to play a vital role in ensuring that all work on the highway is carried out safely, efficiently, and to a high standard. We work closely with contractors, utilities, and internal…