Lead Field Operative

Nottingham City Council; Croft, Mountsorrel; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Leicestershire County Council is recruiting for a Highway Maintenance Operative Leader to manage a small team of Operators and deliver maintenance and surfacing work on highways, footpaths and structures. Based at Croft or Mountsorrel depots, you will work flexibly to meet statutory requirements.

You will ensure high standards, monitor safety, record incidents, and mentor less experienced staff. The role may require outside hours and occasional call-out duties; random drug and alcohol testing

Qualifications

• NVQ 2 in Highways Maintenance or equivalent with NRSWA qualification.
• Experience in highways or civil engineering and IT use in work settings.
• Knowledge of construction specs, materials, compaction and safe plant operation.
• Understanding of health, safety, environment rules incl. driver hours and PPE.
• Strong written and verbal communication with teamwork and initiative.
• Experience operating specialist plant and rollers, compaction equipment and saws.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team of Operators delivering highways, footpaths and structures work.
• Ensure activities meet LCC specifications and on-site safety procedures.
• Record incidents and escalate to Site Team Leader when needed.
• Support skills development for less experienced operatives.
• Be flexible with hours, including nights, weekends and holidays when required.

Skills

NVQ 2 in Highways Maintenance

NRSWA Qualification

NPORS plant operator

Health & Safety training

IT literacy

Plant operation (rollers)

Communication skills

Customer/f colleague liaison

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Highways Maintenance

NRSWA Qualification (Operative)

Tools

PDS

Mobile phones

Personal computer

Job description

Organisation: Leicestershire County Council

Work Location: Croft Depot, Arbor Road, Croft Leicestershire LE9 3GE or Mountsorrel Depot, Hawcliffe Road, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire LE12 7AH

Salary: £29,550 - £32,055 per annum (pro rata for part-time)

Working Hours:Full Time, 37 Hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: Sunday 15th November 2026

Interview Date(s): Wednesday 25th November 2026 - Please note: interviews will be in person.

About the Role

Come and work as part of a team that delivers the best value, customer-focused service throughout Leicestershire and, occasionally, surrounding counties. Leading a small team of Operators, you will work flexibly, efficiently and effectively delivering construction, maintenance and surfacing activities to maintain highways, footpaths and structures in accordance with statutory requirements.

You will ensure that activities are completed to a high standard, in accordance with the LCC specifications, tackle unacceptable behaviour on site, record any incidents, and elevate to the Site Team Leader/ Supervisor for further action, if required. You will also assist in the development of skills for less experienced operatives and encourage experiential learning whilst on site.

The nature of the work may involve you carrying out activities outside of normal working hours, including night, weekends and public holidays, in all weather conditions to meet the needs of the service. You may be required to support a call-out rota to cover evening, weekend and public holiday emergencies. (Exclusion will apply to employees aged under 21).
This role is a “Safety Critical Post” and, consequently, subject to random drug and alcohol testing in accordance with our policies and procedures. A copy of our Substance Misuse Policy and Procedure is available upon request.

About You

To apply for this post, you must be able to evidence in your application how you meet the following criteria:

• Qualifications in NVQ 2 in Highways Maintenance or similar, Trades Test Assessment, New Roads and Streetworks Act (NRSWA) Qualification (Operative),
  Accredited and relevant H&S Training Records and Certification (e.g. NPORS plant operator, Appointed Person, etc)
  or have demonstrable evidence of the skills and experience together with a commitment to attain the essential qualifications.
• Have experience of working in a highways or civil engineering environment and using information technology (e.g. personal computer, PDS, mobile phones, etc) in a work-related context.
• Have extensive knowledge of construction specifications, materials, compaction, and workmanship requirements, also of safe working practices when using plant and machinery
• Know about Construction Health, Safety and Environmental requirements and safe working procedures, legislation including driver’s hours, PPE and manual handling and of Chapter 8 Traffic Management Regulations.
• You have core communication skills, both written and verbal. You can and is willing to work with everyone in the team, and you can use your own initiative in planning and prioritising.
• Skilled at driving and operating specialist plant and use of rollers, compaction equipment and saws.
• Can respond confidently to customers & colleagues with understanding & diplomacy whilst maintaining an objective & professional stance and give customers the correct information and keep them up to date with regular contact. You can remain calm & positive in challenging circumstances.

In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.We are a Disability Confident Employer.

Interested in Flexible Working?

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.

For more information or an informal discussion,please contact:

John Benson, Highways Works Manager [North].
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Tom Vesty, Highways Works Manager [South].
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]