Ground Worker

Fortel; York; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortel is seeking an experienced Groundworker to join our civils team in York. You will perform groundworks, site preparation, drainage installation, and foundations for a major infrastructure project, delivering high-quality workmanship in a tightly regulated environment.

Key tasks include trenching, concrete setting out, formwork support, finishing, and ensuring safety through strict permits and on-site plant operations.

Qualifications

• CSCS Card is highly preferred. Green Labourer cards with proven experience will be considered.
• Manual Handling: Valid, accredited training certificate on site to demonstrate safe lifting and handling techniques.

Responsibilities

• Site Preparation & Groundworks: Execute deep excavation support, trenching, and ground prep for foundations and slabs.
• Underground Services & Drainage: Lay drainage pipework and install attenuation tanks and ductwork for utilities.
• Concreting & Formwork: Assist with setting out, pouring, levelling, and finishing concrete for foundations and slabs; build basic timber shuttering and place reinforcement mesh.
• Levelling & Compaction: Read site plans for gradients; operate rollers and compaction equipment to achieve engineering densities.
• External Works & Finishing: Lay kerbs, edgings, pavements, and block paving for station access routes.
• Safety & Tool Management: Safely operate small plant tools; follow permits to dig near live underground utilities.

Skills

CSCS Card

Manual Handling

Tools

Plant Tickets

Job description

Job description:

Fortel is the largest Midlands based supplier of agency labour to the UK construction industry, providing contractors with pre-briefed, compliant teams formed of trusted and skilled workers for construction and key infrastructure projects.

We are seeking an experienced Groundworker to join our civils team. You will deliver essential groundworks, civils, and enabling infrastructure to prepare this massive flagship site for structural builds. This role requires executing high-quality work in site preparation, drainage installation, reinforced concrete foundations, and final surface finishes, all within a highly regulated, high-speed rail environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Site Preparation & Groundworks: Execute deep excavation support, trenching, and ground preparation for foundations, retaining structures, and structural slabs.
• Underground Services & Drainage: Lay vitrified clay, concrete, and plastic drainage pipework. Install deep drainage runs, attenuation tanks, ductwork for utilities, and access manholes.
• Concreting & Formwork: Assist with setting out, pouring, levelling, and finishing concrete for foundations, ground slabs, and thrust blocks. Help build basic timber shuttering and place steel reinforcement mesh.
• Levelling & Compaction: Read site plans to ensure correct gradients and falls. Operate vibrating rollers, rammers, and compaction plates to achieve specified engineering densities.
• External Works & Finishing: Lay precast concrete kerbs, edgings, flag pavements, and block paving for station access routes, temporary pathways, and hard landscaping zones.
• Safety & Tool Management: Safely operate a variety of small plant tools (disc cutters, laser levels, pumps, and mixers). Follow strict permits to dig to protect live underground utilities.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• CSCS Card: Valid Green Skilled Worker CSCS Card is highly preferred. Green Labourer cards with proven experience will be considered.
• Manual Handling: Valid, accredited training certificate in Manual Handling to demonstrate safe lifting, moving, and handling techniques on site.
• Plant Tickets (Desirable): CPCS/NPORS tickets for Forward Tipping Dumper, Ride-on Roller