Project Engineer

We are seeking to appoint an experienced Project Engineer to the Coastal Risk Management Team. Currently, the vacancy is advertised as a 2-year fixed-term contract, but depending on the outcome of current organisational restructuring, the post may eventually become permanent.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead on capital projects and support infrastructure and asset management for Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM), and Harbour infrastructure assets. You will be involved in maintaining and enhancing key assets such as flood walls, erosion defenses, beach re-nourishment schemes, and quay wall repairs.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop and expand your knowledge, skills, and experience within a busy FCERM engineering environment, located in the beautiful rural setting of Dorset, near the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

This is a unique opportunity to join a council that is home to the Jurassic Coast, thriving market towns and villages, and a strong community spirit. The Coastal Risk team has been established over the last three years and is just coming into its own. You will join a workplace that welcomes new ideas and originality, with ample room for growth, development, and learning.

What Will You Be Doing

The role combines operational and project management responsibilities. You will manage existing infrastructure, routine works, deliver capital projects, and develop strategies. This includes CDM and ‘intelligent client’ functions related to asset management and scheme delivery.

Our work aims to protect and enhance natural, historic, and cultural environments, operating within specific regulatory contexts. Knowledge of environmental licensing, planning processes, and stakeholder engagement is highly recommended.

The Project Engineer is part of the Coastal Risk Team within the FCERM service, under Dorset Council’s Highways, Engineering and Transport directorate. The team supports key strategic priorities, notably responding to the climate and nature crisis. For more information, see the Dorset Council Plan 2024-2029.

The team currently manages over a dozen projects, valued at approximately £80 million, planned for delivery over the next five years. The pipeline includes projects such as:

• Replacement of 500 meters of sheet pile wall around Weymouth Peninsula.
• Planning and delivery of the first phase of the Weymouth Harbour and Peninsula FCERM Scheme.
• Construction of inner harbour walls in West Bay.
• Refurbishment of the Cobb structure in Lyme Regis.
• Construction of the curved seawall at Chesil Cove, Portland.
• Swanage Beach recharge.
• Further sheet piling and pier refurbishment at Weymouth Harbour.

We are also developing flood and coastal erosion risk strategies at various locations, which will generate further projects.

The team has a busy infrastructure management workload, following a structured asset management regime. Candidates with experience in asset management, including prioritization, planning, and repairs, are highly valued.

We emphasize strong management, accountability, and record-keeping practices to ensure successful project delivery and maintain auditable documentation. Administrative skills are highly recommended.

While our core responsibilities focus on flood and coastal protection assets, we also work closely with Dorset Council’s harbour team and other technical departments, requiring effective collaboration and communication with internal and external stakeholders, including elected council members.

About You

You will hold a civil, coastal, or environmental engineering qualification at HNC/HND/Degree level or equivalent, with substantial post-qualification experience in civil, coastal, or infrastructure project management, including contract management, design appraisal, stakeholder consultation, and the ‘intelligent client’ role.

You should have knowledge of procurement, supervision of contractors and consultants, and experience in managing business cases, funding bids, and procurement plans for coastal defense projects.

Knowledge of the asset management cycle related to FCERM structures and assets, health and safety, and CDM client functions is essential.

You will be a strong team player with the ability to work independently, resolve difficulties diplomatically, and communicate effectively in various formats. Computer literacy, including AutoCAD, MS Project, and databases, is preferred.

Dorset Council values its staff and expects adherence to its organizational values and behaviors, which will be assessed during the selection process. More information is available on their website.

Additional Information

This role involves significant travel, and candidates must have access to suitable transport. The service operates an out-of-hours engineering duty rota, and successful candidates may be required to participate in weekly duties on a rotational basis.

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