Reactive Works Operative - Highways

London Borough of Hillingdon; Greater London; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Annual leave

Perkbox Benefits

Mental Health Support

Cycle to Work

Job summary

London Borough of Hillingdon invites applications for a Reactive Works Operative to join our Highways Team. The role is hands-on and outdoors, focusing on reactive repairs to roads, footways, drainage and street furniture across the borough.

You will work as part of a dedicated team to ensure highways and public spaces remain safe, accessible and well-maintained for residents and visitors. A full driving licence is advantageous and health and safety standards are a priority.

Qualifications

• Experience of working in highways, construction, maintenance or a similar operational environment.
• Practical skills and the ability to carry out physical outdoor work safely and effectively.
• Experience using hand tools, power tools and maintenance equipment.
• A good understanding of health and safety requirements within a working environment.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Good communication skills and a professional approach when dealing with residents and colleagues.
• The ability to follow instructions and complete work to a high standard.
• A flexible approach to work and changing service demands.
• A full driving licence would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Carry out reactive highway repairs to carriageways and footways.
• Undertake excavation, reinstatement and resurfacing works using a variety of materials and techniques.
• Install, maintain and repair signs, barriers and non-illuminated street furniture.
• Carry out repairs to highway drainage systems and gullies.
• Assist with the maintenance of watercourses and minor highway structures.
• Operate a range of hand tools, power tools, plant and equipment safely and effectively.
• Drive Council vehicles and undertake routine vehicle checks and maintenance.
• Prepare work sites and support traffic management arrangements where required.
• Maintain accurate records and complete associated paperwork.
• Support emergency response activities and winter maintenance operations.
• Work in accordance with health and safety legislation, policies and procedures at all times.

Skills

Highways maintenance experience

Outdoor work

Hand tools

Power tools

Health and safety awareness

Teamwork

Communication

Following instructions

Flexible attitude

Driving licence (full)

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Maintenance equipment

Job description

About the role

Help Keep Hillingdon Moving

Are you someone who enjoys working outdoors, takes pride in delivering high-quality work and wants to make a visible difference to the local community every day? Hillingdon Council is looking for a Reactive Works Operative to join our Highways Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in maintaining the borough's roads, footways and public spaces, helping to ensure they remain safe, accessible and well-maintained for residents, businesses and visitors.

Working as part of a dedicated team, you will carry out a range of highway maintenance and repair activities that directly contribute to the safety and appearance of the borough's infrastructure.

As a Reactive Works Operative, you will undertake a variety of highway maintenance and repair works across Hillingdon, ensuring that defects are addressed efficiently and to a high standard.

The role is varied and hands-on, involving repairs to roads, footways, drainage systems, signage and street furniture, as well as supporting emergency response and winter maintenance operations when required.

• Carry out reactive highway repairs to carriageways and footways.
• Undertake excavation, reinstatement and resurfacing works using a variety of materials and techniques.
• Install, maintain and repair signs, barriers and non-illuminated street furniture.
• Carry out repairs to highway drainage systems and gullies.
• Assist with the maintenance of watercourses and minor highway structures.
• Operate a range of hand tools, power tools, plant and equipment safely and effectively.
• Drive Council vehicles and undertake routine vehicle checks and maintenance.
• Prepare work sites and support traffic management arrangements where required.
• Maintain accurate records and complete associated paperwork.
• Support emergency response activities and winter maintenance operations.
• Work in accordance with health and safety legislation, policies and procedures at all times.

About You

We are looking for a reliable and motivated individual who is committed to delivering high-quality work and excellent customer service.

You will have:

• Experience of working in highways, construction, maintenance or a similar operational environment.
• Practical skills and the ability to carry out physical outdoor work safely and effectively.
• Experience using hand tools, power tools and maintenance equipment.
• A good understanding of health and safety requirements within a working environment.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Good communication skills and a professional approach when dealing with residents and colleagues.
• The ability to follow instructions and complete work to a high standard.
• A flexible approach to work and changing service demands.
• A full driving licence would be advantageous.

Why Join Hillingdon?

At Hillingdon, we're committed to putting our residents first and delivering excellent public services. As a Reactive Works Operative, you'll have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the borough every day while developing your skills within a supportive team environment.

We offer:

• A stable and rewarding role within a respected local authority.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A supportive and collaborative team culture.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Access to a range of employee benefits and wellbeing support.

Join Us

If you're looking for a hands-on role where you can make a real difference to the borough and its residents, we'd love to hear from you.

Join Hillingdon Council and help us maintain the roads, footways and public spaces that keep our communities connected and moving.

• About You
• About us
• We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:

• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Perkbox Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Perkbox Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
• Trade Union Membership – The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees’ freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject tothe following pre-employment screening:

• 2 years of Referencing

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early.