Highways Operative/Driver (Alnwick)

North East Combined Authority; Alnwick; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexi scheme - optional leave

Job summary

Northumberland County Council (NCC) is seeking a Highways Operative based at the Alnwick depot to join a team delivering highway maintenance and construction tasks across the county. You will support site safety, dig and repair road structures, and assist with kerbing, drainage and street furniture as part of a busy highways operation.

You will work with specialist equipment, adhere to safety standards, and collaborate with colleagues to maintain and improve the road network for residents and

Qualifications

• Level 2 qualification in Highways or working towards a trade.
• Knowledge and experience of civil groundworks in a live highway environment.
• Ability to drive work-related vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes.
• Desirable knowledge of paving, kerbing, drainage, bricklaying and resurfacing.

Responsibilities

• Site and traffic safety: set up temporary traffic management to protect crew and public.
• Excavation and reinstatement: dig, locate services and backfill safely.
• Pothole and surface repairs: lay new patches to restore surfaces.
• Kerbing and paving: lift, set and level kerbs; perform repairs.
• Drainage maintenance: clear gullies and maintain drainage pipes.
• Street furniture and ironwork: adjust signs, bollards and fencing.
• Tool and plant support: operate small tools and assist with plant.
• Vehicle requirements: drive and inspect non-HGV vehicles and log sheets.

Job description

Northumberland County Council's (NCC) vision is ‘Land of Great Opportunities', for current and future generations. We believe there is no better place to live and work.

We are committed to delivering safe, well-maintained highways across the county. As part of our Highways team, we play a vital role in keeping Northumberland's road network in excellent condition for residents, businesses and visitors. Our operational teams use specialist equipment and innovative repair techniques to deliver efficient highway maintenance solutions countywide.

We are looking for a Highways Operative based at our Alnwick depot to provide assistance within a team undertaking highway maintenance and construction tasks in the development of Northumberland County Council's highway network.

What you'll be doing:

• Site and Traffic Safety: Set up temporary traffic management, including safety cones, barriers, and temporary traffic lights to protect the crew and public.
• Excavation and Reinstatement: Dig holes manually or with machinery to repair road structures, locate underground gas, water, or power cables safely, and backfill surfaces.
• Pothole and Surface Repairs: Cut, clear, rake, and lay new asphalt, tarmac, or concrete patches under the guidance of a skilled operative or within a team.
• Kerbing and Paving: Help lift, set, and level kerbs, channels, block paving, and modular slabs. Carry out highway repairs and maintenance works including modular and block paving, kerbs and channels, flexible surfaces, ironwork (manholes, gullies, valve boxes), concrete works (including reinforcement), bollards, fencing and minor landscaping reinstatement.
• Drainage Maintenance: Clear gully pots, clean out drains, and install or repair drainage pipes. Including excavation of trenches, laying of pipes, operation of mechanical jetting plant, and all associated health and safety precautions.
• Street Furniture and Ironwork: Assist with adjusting manhole covers, gully grates, road signs, bollards, and safety fencing.
• Tool and Plant Support: Prepare, clean, and operate smaller hand and power tools (such as wacker plates, breakers, and pedestrian rollers) and prepare, deliver materials as directed. Operate highways plant and equipment such as, vibrating rollers, mini‑excavators, road rollers, saws, compressors and other small plant, subject to training and accreditation.
• Vehicle requirements:Drive and maintain the security of nonâ€‑HGV vehicles, including completing daily and weekly vehicle and plant checks and log sheets.

What you'll bring:

• A level 2 qualification or equivalent in Highways or working towards a trade qualification.
• Knowledge and experience of civil groundworks is essential and should include working within a live Highway environment.
• Ability to drive a variety of work related general purpose vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes.
• It is desirable to have working knowledge of larger construction works including, paving, kerbing, drainage, bricklaying and resurfacing.

Why choose us?

We have some outstanding benefits and perks to offer you, including:

• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexi scheme (if applicable) - up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees)

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What you need to know

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, this information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.

For further information about working for NCC, please visit our website here.