Engineering Geologist

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Engineering Geologist to join the Technical Resources Team, which forms part of the Operations Directorate. The unit is multi-disciplinary and includes professionals in Civil & Structural Engineering, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Landscape, Ecology and Compliance disciplines. The engineering team has primary responsibility for a diverse range of civil and structural engineering duties on over 300 properties. These range from standing stones, cairns and brochs, tower houses, fortified structures and castles, to later structures such as a lighthouse, a gasworks and a distillery. Responsibility also extends to include the drainage, car parks, bridges, coastal and riverbank protection works and other structures associated with access to these properties.

You will be the Lead Engineering Geologist working alongside four other Civil / Structural Engineers. You will have primary responsibility for implementing the Rockfall Risk Management Policy and Procedure. You will carry out inspections, design remedial works, prepare contract documentation and supervise works to rock faces across the estate. You will be advising HES on rockfall risk and approaches following a qualitative/quantitative risk assessment procedure (ALARP) as defined in the HES Rockfall Risk Policy and Procedure documents.

Responsibilities:

• You must lead teams on site and supervise/manage external consultants and contractors for all rockface inspections and remedial works.
• You must be fully up to date with H&S and other relevant regulations, design standards, codes of practice and ensure that these are adhered to.
• You will be accountable and take responsibility for maintaining and implementing the approved HES Rockfall Risk Policy and Procedure.
• You will be experienced in geotechnical designs/drawings/reports and associated tender and contract documents including site supervision of rock face remedial works and rock/slope monitoring and inspections.
• You will provide specialist geotechnical advice across HES on our properties as well as other listed buildings or scheduled monuments not in care of HES.
• You will be experienced in managing tendering procedures and preparing contract documents for engineering works.

Impact:

You will be advising ELT and the HES Board on rockfall risk and approaches following a qualitative/quantitative risk assessment procedure (ALARP) as defined in the HES Rockfall Risk Policy and Procedure documents. You will use sound engineering judgement and be responsible for the impact your work has across HES and must be aware of organisational reputation, external relationship and the effect of any decisions made across HES (positive or negative). You may be called upon to serve as an expert witness for geotechnical engineering matters at Public Local Inquiries.

Customer Focus:

You will be required to interact and communicate at all levels within HES, external organisations, regulatory authorities and must provide authoritative specialist advice as required. You will be in close dialogue with appointed and external contractors for works that go to tender and construction; this will include reviewing tender submissions, reviewing CDM material and selecting the winning tender and managing their work on site. You will manage the Term Geotechnical Contractor framework and be able to directly manage teams on site. You will be confident representing HES in interacting with external stakeholders in various technical situations; maintaining appropriate professional behaviours in varying circumstances. You will work with other parts of HES to deliver engineering support in delivery of other HES functions.

Quality & Innovation:

You will be responsible for ensuring all output by consultants has been reviewed, checked and signed off for issue. A checking regime will be required to be developed. You will be aware of climate change impacts on rock mechanics / slope stability and be prepared to adopt new approaches in design and material selection. You will be flexible in approach and take the views of colleagues and stakeholders on site into account in order to find solutions to engineering problems and reach a solution in a collaborative manner.

Team Orientation:

You will take on full responsibility for managing the rock risk inspection regime and develop knowledge within the team. You will promote a positive working culture with continuous development. You will be responsible for your own training and development and must maintain your professional status. You will be required to be part of and collaborate with other teams within HES as well as being a team leader for certain specific geotechnical projects. You will supervise and manage teams on site through a competitive tender process or through a framework agreement. You will be required to manage a high work‑pressure environment and manage the workload, independently, created by the requirements of rock risk management. You will be required to carry out surveys and inspections which will involve working at height (via scaffold or MEWP), confined spaces and other areas of restricted access in all weather conditions. You will adhere to safe working practices. You will be required to travel to remote locations and must be able to plan, organise and work flexibly as required. Continuous learning and development is a priority of the organisation; you will be prepared to maintain your CPD obligations and take additional courses in relevant areas. You will be required to critically review external engineers reports and may dispute the findings of other engineers.

About you:

• SCQF Level 10 qualification in Engineering Geology or Civil Engineering.
• Chartered Civil Engineer (CEng) with Membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) or Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) or Chartered Geologist (CGeol).
• A working knowledge of contract law, framework agreements and procurement methods.
• Ability to use sound Engineering judgement utilising knowledge and experience to make critical decisions during inspections.
• Well‑developed IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, Revit and other rockfall assessment packages.
• Ability to plan, organise and manage team budget and project finances.
• Ability to work in autonomy and prioritise projects to provide a service across HES.
• Ability to talk about Engineering aspects in a confident manner to colleagues and external parties.
• Strong team working, communication, management and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of risks associated to construction works.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather and be able to work at height.
• The post holder must be able to work flexible hours to achieve the task such as surveys or inspections.
• An understanding of building and archaeological conservation principles and the philosophy of conservation.
• Familiarisation with surveys with total stations/laser scanning and managing point cloud data.
• Demonstratable knowledge in solving non‑standard problems and ability to research and adopt innovative methods/products.
• Knowledge of conservation and traditional repair methods.
• The post holder must be able to travel to remote locations.

Interested? Visit our website to view the full job description and for information about applying online for this interesting and exciting opportunity. Closing date: noon, 20 January 2026.