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JOB DESCRIPTION
Due to recent success Costain are proud to be recruiting for a Senior Agent.
Costain has been appointed to design and construct the West Winch Housing Access Road (WWHAR) for Norfolk County Council (NCC). The project is in 3 stages:
Stage 1
- Detailed design
- Early contractor involvement (ECI)
- On-site investigations, including gaining approvals from stakeholders
Stage 2
- Construct and handover the works into operations
Stage 3
- Maintain the environmental mitigation and biodiversity nett gain planting
The project team will mobilise in Stage 1 to lead the design and ECI with a whole project lifecycle approach. The team will deliver a design that enables a Safe, Efficient, Right First Time construction and efficient handover into maintenance, for both NCC and NH assets.
The new housing access road will connect the A10 to the A47 to the west of West Winch. Works will include:
- 2.5km of new single carriageway associated active travel routes and roundabouts forming access to new developments and onto the A10
- A new structure over the housing access road and modification of an existing structure on the A47
- Management of groundwater to enable installation of the drainage
- Management of utility works
- Modifications to the existing A10 improve active travel
The NCC project will also include works to enhance the A47 near to Kings Lynn, requiring 800m of dualling of the A47, a new roundabout to connect to the housing access road and reconfiguration of the existing Hardwick Interchange – all National Highways (NH) assets.
Responsibilities
Reporting directly to the Construction Manager, this role in Stage 1 is to support ECI activities to inform safe and efficient construction including buildability, supply chain engagement and cost forecasts and on site surveys. In Stage 2 you will lead construction operations alongside the Works Superintendent from the start.
As works peak you may likely be supported by an additional Senior Agent who will to support the workload for a specific discipline (Structures or Highways) until the peak has passed when you will be responsible for completing the works and handing over the assets to NCC or National Highways. You will ensure all elements are delivered safely, to the required quality, on time and within budget, all in line with the scheme design and associated specifications and in compliance with the planning conditions, environmental and stakeholder constraints. This will include managing a team of engineering staff and subcontractors, working alongside the site supervisory team and other disciplines (SHE, Stakeholder, Design/Engineering/Quality, Commercial etc.).
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Put safety above all else and lead by example.
- Promote a Right First-Time approach to quality and avoid rework.
- Manage on site survey works.
- Develop buildable solutions with safe and efficient design in mind with the design team and suppliers.
- Provide construction leadership and manage all aspects of construction (for your discipline).
- Ensure all works are carried out in accordance with The Costain Way.
- Manage a team of engineering staff and collaborate with other members of the project team.
- Support the Construction Manager in all construction matters including handover.
- Provide planning and procurement support, implementing product control and all related subcontract activities.
- Review contractual agreements, working methods, programme and forecast costs with the Estimator, General Foreman and Subcontractors / Suppliers identifying any inaccuracies or inconsistencies, and feedback any changes made to the QA and QS teams.
- Prepare and review programmes and forecast budgets, actual programme and productivity achieved and review weekly, taking action where appropriate, as reported by your Agents and Engineers. Where required report/escalate issues to the Construction Manager and QS team.
- Be fully conversant with subcontractors’ contract conditions, develop job specific subcontract conditions and manage the subcontractors account with the QS team.
- Requisition/approve resources in a timely manner to ensure that they are correctly specified and readily available so as not to impede the construction programme.
- Ensure that any non-conformances and any instructions received from the client / designer / NEC Supervisor staff are communicated to QA and QS teams.
- Ensure that comprehensive records of resources employed on additional works are maintained.
- Ensure that full and accurate daily site diary, including any changes / variations, subcontractors’ attendance, and records of work-related discussions with client / designer / NEC Supervisor / project team are maintained by your team.
- Ensure that inspection and test plans, risk assessments and method statements for the control of the works are reviewed, approved, and adhered to.
- Keep abreast of developments in your professional field.
- Act as or manage lifting AIP and Temporary works co-ordinator.
Reasons to use Rodeo
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Why you're a good match
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
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Essential
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- Extensive experience in construction delivery ideally with 3 years+ in a management position (e.g. Agent/Sub-Agent)
- Knowledge and experience of relevant standards and procedures.
- Experience of working within a Principal Contractor environment.
- Knowledge and experience of Temporary Works procedures.
- Behavioural Management training.
- Understanding of Engineering Principles.
- Knowledge of forms of contract through experience and formal training.
- Extensive technical knowledge of construction techniques and best practices.
- Management of temporary works.
- Computer competence (MS Word, Excel, Document control system).


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Desirable
- Experience of handover processes.
- Highway (SRN) environment construction experience (including planning and delivery of works within traffic management).
- Experience of earthworks and stabilised pavement construction.
- Planning and management of lifting.
Essential
QUALIFICATIONS
- Degree or HND in Civil Engineering or allied subject or equivalent vocational training.
- Relevant CSCS card.
- SMSTS or equivalent H&S qualification.
Desirable
- Temporary Works co-ordinator.
- Lifting AP.
- Professionally qualified or working towards professional qualification.
ABOUT US
Costain helps to improve people’s lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK’s energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency. Our vision is to be the UK’s leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements. We offer our clients leading edge solutions that are digitally optimised through the following five services which cover the whole lifecycle of their assets: future-shaping strategic consultancy; consultancy and advisory; digital technology solutions; asset optimisation and complex programme delivery. Our culture and values underpin everything we do.
Costain appreciate the time and effort taken when applying for one of our positions but, due to the high volume of responses, we are unable to provide individual feedback on candidates at application phase.
We do share individual feedback following an interview.
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that disclose they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.
It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.
For more details please go to the Disability Confident website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign
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