Drainage Engineer - Strategic Road Network

Vacancy title

Drainage Engineer - Strategic Road Network

Closing date

09/03/2026, 16:00

Advertising basis

Permanent

Actual starting salary

“A starting salary between £47,675 and £52,557 will be offered to the successful candidate based on their skills, knowledge, experience and performance at interview. This range is not negotiable. The pay scale of this role has a salary band between £47,675 and £56,445 in 4 annual increments. Pay progression is based on annual incremental advance to the next point on the scale (awarded subject to satisfactory performance) until the employee reaches the target rate.”

Salary range or pay band

SEO £47,675 to £56,445

Allowances

No

Work pattern

Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)

Group

Economy, Energy and Transport

Directorate

Transport and Digital Connectivity

Branch

Highways

Location (s)

Pan Wales

Purpose of post

The Strategic Road Network (SRN) is one of Wales’ most vital infrastructure assets, valued at approximately £21 billion. Although it makes up just 5% of the total road length, it carries around one-third of all road traffic, playing a key role in connecting communities, supporting the economy, and providing access to essential services.

This post is part of a wider recruitment campaign to strengthen the Welsh Government’s Strategic Road Network Division. Over the coming months, we will be building a diverse and skilled team to enhance our capability as a highway authority, ensuring we continue to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable transport infrastructure across Wales. This is an exciting opportunity to join a delivery-focused and inclusive team and help shape the future of the SRN. Your work will make a real difference to people’s lives, resilience and the Welsh economy.

What You Will Be Doing

As part of the Network Management function, you will help plan, operate, maintain, and improve the SRN on behalf of Welsh Ministers. This includes ensuring the safe, efficient and sustainable operation of key assets such as the motorway and trunk road drainage network. You will contribute to programmes that:

• Strengthen network resilience against increasing rainfall and climate change
• Reduce flood risk on and around the SRN
• Improve environmental outcomes
• Support sustainable water management and adaptation to extreme weather
  
  

All work is aligned with Welsh Government policy, including Llwybr Newydd: The Wales Transport Strategy 2021, the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, and our environmental improvement commitments.

Drainage Lead. Key Focus

In This Role, You Will Take Responsibility For The Strategic Management Of The SRN Drainage Asset. You Will Be Responsible For:

• Developing and managing the Drainage Asset Management Plan
• Producing a State of the Nation report on the condition and performance of drainage assets
• Leading prioritisation, investment planning, and long-term resilience planning

Embedding sustainable drainage and climate-resilient design principles across maintenance and improvement programmes

Working across engineering disciplines and with delivery partners to ensure coordinated and efficient delivery

You will also lead the development and implementation of the Welsh Government Drainage Strategy for the SRN, setting the long-term direction for resilient, sustainable and environmentally responsible drainage management.

Why Join Us

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. You will be joining a team that values collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, and where your work will play a central role in protecting the resilience, safety and environmental performance of Wales’ Strategic Road Network.

You’ll also benefit from an exceptional employee package. As a Welsh Government employee, you’ll be automatically enrolled into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, which offers one of the most generous employer contribution rates in the UK (28.97% employer contribution),

providing long‑term financial security that is difficult to match elsewhere. You’ll work a 37 hour week, enjoying 31 days of annual leave plus bank and privilege holidays, alongside flexible working arrangements and a hybrid working approach designed to support wellbeing, work‑life balance and productivity. We also offer a range of additional benefits, including cycle and green car schemes, discounted rail season tickets, and access to wellbeing and employee support programmes. For more information, visit https://www.gov.wales/welsh-government-careers/pay-pensions-and-benefits

All work is aligned with Welsh Government policy, including Llwybr Newydd: The Wales Transport Strategy 2021, the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, and our environmental improvement commitments.

Drainage Lead. Key Focus

In This Role, You Will Take Responsibility For The Strategic Management Of The SRN Drainage Asset. You Will Be Responsible For:

• Developing and managing the Drainage Asset Management Plan
• Producing a State of the Nation report on the condition and performance of drainage assets

Leading prioritisation, investment planning, and long-term resilience planning

Embedding sustainable drainage and climate-resilient design principles across maintenance and improvement programmes

Working across engineering disciplines and with delivery partners to ensure coordinated and efficient delivery

You will also lead the development and implementation of the Welsh Government Drainage Strategy for the SRN, setting the long-term direction for resilient, sustainable and environmentally responsible drainage management.

Why Join Us

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. You will be joining a team that values collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, and where your work will play a central role in protecting the resilience, safety and environmental performance of Wales’ Strategic Road Network.

You’ll also benefit from an exceptional employee package. As a Welsh Government employee, you’ll be automatically enrolled into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, which offers one of the most generous employer contribution rates in the UK (28.97% employer contribution),

providing long‑term financial security that is difficult to match elsewhere. You’ll work a 37 hour week, enjoying 31 days of annual leave plus bank and privilege holidays, alongside flexible working arrangements and a hybrid working approach designed to support wellbeing, work‑life balance and productivity. We also offer a range of additional benefits, including cycle and green car schemes, discounted rail season tickets, and access to wellbeing and employee support programmes. For more information, visit https://www.gov.wales/welsh-government-careers/pay-pensions-and-benefits

Key tasks

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Welsh Government’s approach to motorway and trunk road drainage, providing authoritative advice and setting strategic direction.
• Develop and deliver long-term drainage strategies and asset management plans to strengthen resilience and sustainability.
• Oversee drainage data and standards to ensure compliance, performance monitoring and informed decision-making.
• Collaborate with delivery partners and stakeholders to manage flood risk, improve environmental outcomes and support emergency response.

Drive innovation and continuous improvement, representing Welsh Government in technical forums and preparing high-quality briefings.

Development opportunities

Joining The Strategic Road Network Division Means Being Part Of a Team That Plays a Central Role In Strengthening Wales’ Resilience To Climate Change And Delivering Sustainable Drainage Solutions Across The SRN. We Offer:

• Exposure to high-profile national programmes focused on drainage, flood risk management and climate resilience, giving you experience at the forefront of national infrastructure delivery.
• Opportunities to work directly with Ministers, senior Welsh Government officials and industry-leading partners across the UK, providing valuable insight into decision-making, policy development and delivery at a national level.
• Professional growth in advanced technical and asset management skills, including climate adaptation, programme planning and evidence-led investment prioritisation.
• Experience representing Welsh Government in influential UK-wide drainage, water management and resilience forums, helping shape best practice and long-term strategic direction.

Opportunities to deepen your knowledge of sustainable water management, including SuDS, wetlands, nature-based solutions and innovative climate adaptation techniques.

A supportive and inclusive team environment where diversity is valued and everyone is encouraged to thrive. You will have access to mentoring, peer learning and tailored professional development to support your growth within the role and beyond.

Other vacancy related information

• A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.
• This is a Pan-Wales role and can be based at any Welsh Government office. The successful candidate will be expected to attend their nearest office regularly (approximately 2 days a week) and undertake site visits (average of 1 a month) as a part of their role.
• A valid UK driving licence is required for site visits not accessible by public transport.
• In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Experience 1. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

In the event of two or more candidates having the same total score, the following list will be used to determine a merit order/which candidate will be appointed. Weighting the criteria - which candidate had the highest score for Experience Question 1, Technical 1, Behaviour 1 and then Behaviour 2.

A CV is requested as part of the application process. The CV is for information only and will not be scored as part of the assessment process.

Reimbursement of the annual membership fee/subscription to a single professional institution will be provided, so long as it aligns with the requirements of the role.

Vetting level

Basic

Number of posts

1

Contact point for further information regarding the post

EST-NMDMailbox@Gov.Wales

Welsh language requirements

3 - Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they are however desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.

Understanding by reading

0 - No skills

Speaking and being understood

0 - No skills

Understanding by listening

0 - No skills

Writing and being understood

0 - No skills

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

Behaviour 1:

The selection process and stages are:

Making Effective Decisions

Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions.

Behaviour 2:

Working Together

Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders.

Evidence to provide

Experience questions

Experience 1:

Experience of managing drainage asset management programmes and climate resilience schemes, including preparing and overseeing technical briefs.

Experience 2:

Experience of applying drainage engineering knowledge to support decision-making, including working with standards and legislation to assess drainage performance and provide clear technical advice.

You will be asked about your nationality and if you are legally allowed to work in the United Kingdom. This is to find out if you are eligible to apply for this vacancy. This is a requirement for working within the Civil Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria your application will not progress. If it becomes clear at a later stage in the process that you are not eligible to apply, your application may be withdrawn, or the offer retracted.

Nationality Requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
  
  

All Welsh Government staff are members of the Civil Service, and as a result are eligible for:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme
• 31 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time)
• training and development opportunities
• Cycle2Work Scheme

Smart Working flexible working arrangement

Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)

If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.

If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales . Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: info@csc.gov.uk.

How To Apply

All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system.

Unless stated otherwise in the 'Other vacancy-related information for advert', the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. There are a number of Diversity networks that staff can participate in, which include the Disability Awareness and Support Staff Network; Minority Ethnic Staff Network; Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (LGBTI+), Women Together and the Neurodivergence Network.

If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team. You can:

• request an application pack in an alternative format

request a recruitment adjustment to help you submit your application

Use the 'Apply' button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don't have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address.

You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.

Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.

If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.

Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.

For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here .

For TS to G6 recruitment schemes:

When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.

Use the 'Apply' button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don't have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address.

You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.

Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.

If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.

Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.

For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here .

For TS to G6 recruitment schemes:

When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.