360 Excavator Operator

Fawkes & Reece Group; Swindon; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Fawkes & Reece Group is seeking an experienced 360° Excavator / Machine Operator to work on water and civil engineering projects across the M4 Corridor. You will operate excavators safely on deep trenching, shoring, pipe installation and reinstatement.

The role requires proven operator experience on water/utilities projects, compliance with site safety and temporary works, and the ability to coordinate with Site Supervisors and Signallers. Immediate start for freelance/contract work.

Qualifications

• Proven experience operating 360° excavators on water, utilities, drainage or heavy civil projects.
• Experience working on deep excavations and trenching.
• Good understanding of excavation safety and temporary works.
• Experience working around live underground services.
• Experience installing and removing trench boxes or other shoring systems.
• Experience lifting pipes, chambers and other materials using an excavator where appropriately qualified.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a site team.
• Strong understanding of site health & safety requirements.
• Good communication skills and the ability to follow instructions from Site Management and the appointed Slinger/Signaller.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate 360° excavators on water, utility and civil engineering projects.
• Carry out deep trench and chamber excavations in accordance with approved methods and temporary-works requirements.
• Excavate accurately to formation levels and gradients.
• Work safely around live underground and overhead services.
• Carry out controlled excavation around identified and exposed services.
• Trim trench bottoms, form sumps and prepare chamber excavations.
• Install and remove trench boxes, sheets, frames and other proprietary shoring systems.
• Lift and position pipes, fittings, valves, precast chambers and temporary-works equipment where appropriately authorised.
• Work within machine load charts, rated capacities and safe working limits.
• Safely use quick hitches and a range of excavator attachments.
• Load dumpers and wagons and manage excavated materials.
• Backfill around pipework, chambers and existing services without causing damage.
• Complete daily plant inspections and report any defects immediately.
• Check safety devices, alarms, cameras, quick hitches, lifting points and fluid levels.
• Follow approved excavation and shoring sequences.
• Maintain safe stand-off distances from excavation edges.
• Keep spoil and materials within designated areas.
• Work closely with the authorised Slinger/Signaller during lifting operations.
• Maintain clear communication during lifting activities and stop operations if communication is lost.
• Ensure suspended loads are never slewed over personnel or occupied work areas.
• Assist with controlled placement of bedding, surround and backfill materials.
• Safely park, isolate and secure the excavator at the end of each shift.

Skills

360° Excavator

Water Projects

Utilities Work

Deep Trenching

Site Safety

Lifting Operations

Education

CPCS/NPORS 360°

EUSR Card

Lifting Endorsement

Tools

Trench Boxes

Sheet Piles

Quick Hitch

Job description

Reference: M4360_1790781216
Posted: September 30, 2026

Fawkes & Reece are currently recruiting for an experienced 360° Excavator / Machine Operator to work on water and civil engineering projects across the M4 Corridor.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced Machine Operator with a strong background in water, utilities, deep drainage, excavation and heavy civils.

The successful candidate will be responsible for safely operating 360° excavators across a range of activities including deep trench excavation, shoring, pipe installation, chamber construction, lifting, backfilling and reinstatement.

You will work closely with the Site Supervisor/Ganger and Slinger/Signaller to ensure works are completed safely, efficiently and to the required standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Safely operate 360° excavators on water, utility and civil engineering projects.
• Carry out deep trench and chamber excavations in accordance with approved methods and temporary-works requirements.
• Excavate accurately to formation levels and gradients.
• Work safely around live underground and overhead services.
• Carry out controlled excavation around identified and exposed services.
• Trim trench bottoms, form sumps and prepare chamber excavations.
• Install and remove trench boxes, sheets, frames and other proprietary shoring systems.
• Lift and position pipes, fittings, valves, precast chambers and temporary-works equipment where appropriately authorised.
• Work within machine load charts, rated capacities and safe working limits.
• Safely use quick hitches and a range of excavator attachments.
• Load dumpers and wagons and manage excavated materials.
• Backfill around pipework, chambers and existing services without causing damage.
• Complete daily plant inspections and report any defects immediately.
• Check safety devices, alarms, cameras, quick hitches, lifting points and fluid levels.
• Follow approved excavation and shoring sequences.
• Maintain safe stand-off distances from excavation edges.
• Keep spoil and materials within designated areas.
• Work closely with the authorised Slinger/Signaller during lifting operations.
• Maintain clear communication during lifting activities and stop operations if communication is lost.
• Ensure suspended loads are never slewed over personnel or occupied work areas.
• Assist with controlled placement of bedding, surround and backfill materials.
• Safely park, isolate and secure the excavator at the end of each shift.

Requirements

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Proven experience operating 360° excavators on water, utilities, drainage or heavy civil engineering projects.
• Experience working on deep excavations and trenching.
• Good understanding of excavation safety and temporary works.
• Experience working around live underground services.
• Experience installing and removing trench boxes or other shoring systems.
• Experience lifting pipes, chambers and other materials using an excavator where appropriately qualified.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a site team.
• Strong understanding of site health & safety requirements.
• Good communication skills and the ability to follow instructions from Site Management and the appointed Slinger/Signaller.

Essential Qualifications

• Valid CPCS or NPORS 360° Excavator ticket for the appropriate machine size and configuration.
• Excavator lifting operations endorsement or recognised equivalent where lifting suspended loads is required.
• EUSR card

Additional Tickets - Desirable

• Forward-Tipping Dumper.
• Ride-on Roller.
• Relevant quick-hitch or attachment familiarisation.

What's on Offer

• Long-term work on a major Water Framework.
• Projects across the M4 Corridor.
• Ongoing opportunities for experienced operators.
• Competitive freelance/contract rates, dependent on experience.
• Opportunity to work with an established civil engineering and water contractor.

Location: Across the M4 Corridor
Sector: Water / Utilities / Civil Engineering
Role: 360° Excavator / Machine Operator
Employment: Freelance / Contract
Start: ASAP / Immediate