Assistant Network Inspector in Ipswich

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.

Your role and responsibilities

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. 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.

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.

You will need

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’ll need to be able to travel across Suffolk and be flexible in your approach to working hours when required.

The team

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 teams to keep disruption to a minimum and protect the integrity of the network.

What brings us together is a shared commitment to:

• work collaboratively and support each other as one team
• deliver high-quality work that makes a real difference to communities
• act with professionalism, integrity, and respect in everything we do.

This is a team where you’ll be supported to learn, grow, and develop your career. You’ll gain hands-on experience, build strong relationships, and have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day.

Our work is a mix of site-based and office-based activity, giving you the opportunity to come together as part of a cohesive team, working towards shared goals and making a positive impact.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation.

For more information

Please contact Michael Court for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 341547 or emailing Michael.Court@suffolk.gov.uk.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).
Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).

• Can you describe a time when you had to follow a process or set of procedures to complete a task?
• Tell us how you ensured accuracy and efficiency, and what steps you took to get it right.
• Tell us about a situation where you needed to make a decision based on available information.
• How did you gather or review the information, and what did you do if anything was unclear or missing?
• Give an example of when you identified an issue or non-compliance and needed to communicate it clearly to others.
• How did you gather evidence to support your findings, and how did you ensure your message was understood.

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details). Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 24 June 2026. Interview date: 6 July 2026. This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.