Multi Skilled Operative

Fortel Group; Hatching Green; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortel Group is seeking an experienced groundworks operative to perform earthworks, trenching, pipe laying and bulk excavation on civil sites across the UK.

You will operate a range of mobile plant and support substation civils work while upholding safety standards on site. This role requires CSCS Blue Card and NPORS, good physical fitness, and reliability with the ability to work with minimal supervision.

Qualifications

• Proven earthworks and groundworks experience on civil construction projects.
• Understanding of health & safety standards and site compliance procedures.
• Physically fit and able to carry out manual tasks in a construction environment.
• Reliable, team-oriented, and able to work with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Carry out groundworks and earthworks tasks including trench digging, pipe laying and bulk excavation.
• Plant operation: operate heavy plant including forward tipping dumpers, ride-on rollers, telehandlers and 360 excavators.
• Support substation civils: trenching, HV cabling ductwork and Type 3 aggregates installation.
• Site preparation: set up secure work zones, safety barriers and manage material stockpiles.
• Safety & compliance: follow live HV substation protocols, National Grid standards and SSOW.
• Routine maintenance: pre-shift safety checks and report defects.

Skills

Earthworks experience

Site preparation

Health & safety awareness

Tools

NPORS

CSCS Blue Card

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

Carry out a variety of groundworks and earthworks tasks, including trench digging, pipe laying, and bulk excavation.

• Plant Operation: Safely operate a variety of mobile heavy plant equipment, including Forward Tipping Dumpers, Ride-on Rollers, Telehandlers, and 360 Excavators (with lifting operations).
• Substation & Civils Support: Assist site gangs with trenching, installing high-voltage cabling ductwork, and laying Type 3 aggregates and chippings to required levels.
• Site Preparation: Set up secure work zones, install safety barriers, manage material stockpiles, and direct incoming site traffic.
• Safety & Compliance: Adhere strictly to live high-voltage substation protocols, National Grid safety standards, and Safe Systems of Work (SSOW).
• Routine Maintenance: Conduct mandatory pre-shift safety checks on all assigned plant machinery, reporting any mechanical defects or hazards immediately.

Requirements:

• Proven experience in earthworks, groundworks, and site preparation on civil construction projects.
• Understanding of health & safety standards and site compliance procedures.
• Physically fit, with the ability to carry out manual tasks in a construction environment.
• Reliable, team-oriented, and able to work with minimal supervision.

Ability to commute/relocate: Reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Licence/Certification:

• CSCS Blue Card (required)
• NPORS (required)