General Operative

Balfour Beatty plc; Lochgilphead; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Smart working (up to 40% remote)

25 days annual leave pro rata

Pension and share incentive

Job summary

Balfour Beatty plc is hiring a General Operative for the UKCS Scotland team, supporting the Argyll Project. You’ll work with the site team to perform tasks safely, following Foreman guidance and site procedures, helping maintain quality and progress across civil construction activities.

You’ll be involved in daily briefings, adhere to risk assessments and contribute to a safe, collaborative work environment while remaining flexible to hours, overtime and project needs.

Qualifications

• Experience on construction sites.
• CSCS card holder.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Good communication and teamwork.
• Commitment to health and safety.

Responsibilities

• Carry out tasks safely as instructed by Foreman/Supervisor.
• Follow site rules, plans and risk assessments.
• Participate in briefings and team discussions.
• Produce work to required quality and productivity.
• Report hazards and issues promptly.
• Assist with groundwork, drainage and concrete works as needed.
• Support colleagues to progress works.

Skills

Construction site experience

CSCS card

UK driving licence

Communication skills

Teamwork

Health and safety awareness

Tools

CPCS training

Job description

About the role

Balfour Beatty is looking for a General Operative to join our UKCS Scotland team, working on our Argyll Project.

You will work closely with the site team to complete allocated duties safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards. Following instructions from the Foreman or Supervisor, you will support a range of construction and civil engineering activities while helping us maintain a positive, collaborative and safety-focused working environment.

The role requires flexibility, a proactive approach and a willingness to support colleagues across the project.

What you'll be doing

As a General Operative, your responsibilities will include:

• Carrying out tasks safely and efficiently in accordance with instructions from the Foreman, Supervisor or Chargehand
• Following site-specific rules, work package plans, method statements, procedures and risk assessments
• Taking part in daily activity briefings, task briefings and relevant team discussions
• Producing work to the required quality and productivity standards
• Reporting hazards, near misses, observations, breakdowns and damage promptly
• Completing maintenance and inspection checks accurately and on time
• Working closely with supervisors, chargehands and other team members to support the progress of works
• Operating equipment only where appropriately trained and authorised
• Supporting activities such as groundwork, drainage and concrete works where required
• Sharing knowledge, helping colleagues and contributing ideas for continuous improvement
• Remaining flexible around working hours, overtime and breaks when project requirements demand it
• Demonstrating Balfour Beatty’s values and maintaining a positive approach to safety, teamwork and performance

Who we're looking for

The following qualities and experience are essential:

• Previous experience working in a construction site environment
• A valid CSCS card
• A full UK driving licence
• Good communication skills, including the confidence to communicate with supervisors and other members of the site team
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team
• A clear understanding of work package plans, method statements, risk assessments, procedures and site-specific rules
• A proactive attitude, with the confidence to ask questions or raise concerns when instructions are unclear
• A strong commitment to health, safety, quality and responsible working
• Flexibility and a willingness to learn, support others and adapt to changing project requirements
• Relevant manufacturer or supplier training where required for the duties being undertaken

Experience or training in any of the following would be advantageous:

• Groundworks
• Drainage works
• Concrete works
• Traffic marshalling
• Manual handling
• Abrasive wheels
• MEWPs
• Fire marshalling
• Roller or dumper operation
• Other relevant CPCS-accredited plant or construction activities

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About us

From Dunfermline’s tramways in 1909 to highland hospitals today, Balfour Beatty has been trusted for over a century to deliver the complex and critical infrastructure and iconic buildings Scotland relies on.

We have the people, knowledge and experience to safely deliver projects right first time, maximising value for money and ensuring a positive social impact and inclusive economic growth for local communities.

Our award‑winning sustainable projects, including active travel, Passivhaus and retrofit, demonstrate our commitment to supporting Scotland’s transition towards net zero in the built environment.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty, we want everyone to be able to thrive and achieve their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. We’re making great progress through our Value Everyone DEI Action Plan, but we know we’ve got more to do. Find out more about our values and DEI initiatives.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this role will be offered an interview.

We are committed to our processes being barrier‑free and will support adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please let the recruiter for this role know if you require any adjustments.

We’re looking to continually improve our recruitment process, so if you have any feedback, please share this with us via [e-mail]