Highways Operative/Driver (Alnwick)

Northumberland County Council; Alnwick; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

26 days annual leave + service-based

Job summary

Northumberland County Council in Alnwick is seeking a Highways Operative to join the depot team. You will support highway maintenance tasks including traffic safety, excavation, pothole repairs, drainage and street furniture, working under supervision.

The role requires a Level 2 qualification in Highways or equivalent, and the ability to drive vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes. Northumberland offers a Local Government Pension Scheme, 26 days annual leave rising with service, and a flexi scheme where

Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience of civil groundworks essential in live highway environments.
• Ability to operate and drive general purpose vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes.
• Working knowledge of highway maintenance practices and safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Set up temporary traffic management to protect crew and public.
• Dig and backfill holes for repairs using manual or mechanical methods.
• Repair potholes and surface defects with asphalt, tarmac or concrete patches.
• Assist with kerbing, paving, drainage, and minor landscaping reinstatement.
• Maintain and operate small highway plant and hand tools as directed.

Skills

Civil groundworks experience

Driving ability

Education

Level 2 qualification in Highways or equivalent

Tools

Hand and power tools

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 non‑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.

For further information about this vacancy, please contact Dylan Handyside (Highways Maintenance Senior Team Leader) via email; dylan.handyside @northumberland.gov.uk

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)

Stay connected with us on social media to keep up to date with Northumberland County Council’s latest job opportunities.

For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes here .

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, please see the alternative methods below. 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 .

Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.

Additionally, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.

For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930

• Job Category Traffic / Highways / Road Safety
• Directorate Place and Regeneration
• Location Lionheart Depot, Alnwick , United Kingdom