This post can be found in a typical highways engineering consultancy, offering an opportunity for engineers seeking to gain further training and experience on their way to becoming qualified. Computer aided design staff (CAD) also may see this as a stepping stone to an engineering career.

The job is located in all types of authority.

Work Environment

Technical assistants usually work in offices in the design section alongside engineers, IT technicians and traffic survey enumerators. They will spend a lot of time at a computer that is sometimes linked up with other designers, architects and engineers in other directorates. They also travel to various work sites that can be muddy and difficult when the weather is poor. Protective clothing is provided.

The working week is standard at 37 hours with little need for anti-social hour shifts.

Daily Activities

Everyday, technical assistants work on projects where they provide general drawing office assistance within a group dealing with the design of highway schemes. Most of the time is spent producing and maintaining suitable plans, sketches, drawings and diagrams required by other consultancy personnel. This entails using the latest computer facilities including the direct operation of terminals. They are also expected to:

• file, photocopy and print negatives in accordance with the requirements of the group
• visit construction sites and highway works
• prepare, supervise, analyse and report on traffic surveys, including liaising with other organisations and supervising temporary staff
• liaise with other sections of environment and transport
• attend in a “support to expert” role at public consultations, public inquiries and meetings.

During the course of their duties, technical assistants carry out research into the best possible locations for traffic surveys and the siting of enumerators while bearing in mind safety aspects. They may have to answer questions from the public regarding public consultations and design matters and give general advice to staff about the use of complex software systems. They will need to plan ahead and assist with exhibitions. It is also necessary for them to come up with new ideas for getting the message across to the public through drawing or diagrammatic means. They are responsible for producing these aids for presentation at public meetings regarding, for example, new traffic schemes.

Skills & Interests

It is essential for a basic competence at the job that technical assistants have:

• good numeracy skills (for calculating estimates for tender bids/costings)
• literacy skills for writing project reports
• ability to produce drawings to scale
• up-to-date understanding of various new procedures, techniques and legislation
• a complete grasp of general office equipment and computer terminal drawing facilities
• working knowledge of surveying equipment for site visits
• knowledge of safety requirements when working close to highways
• presentation skills and ability to produce effective visual aids
• ability to train others on the specialist use of drawing software
• negotiating and conciliation ability to reconcile clients to what the law demands
• ability to work unsupervised.

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 4 GCSEs at ‘C’ grade is essential. You would also be expected to have an understanding of Civil Engineering practices and procedures and a working knowledge of computer drawing facilities.

Two years experience within a competitive and profit-making environment is desirable.

Estimated salary range

Up to £13,500.

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

There are opportunities for advancement as indicated in the introduction to this profile. A technical assistant can work up to Engineer and Technician, Project Engineer and Consultancy Manager with further training and qualifications.

In-house training is often provided.

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