Skilled Highways Operative (Alnwick)

Northumberland County Council; Alnwick; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexi scheme

Job summary

Northumberland County Council is recruiting a Skilled Highways Operative to lead or join a team delivering highway repairs and maintenance across the county.

The role requires a valid UK driving licence, experience in highways and construction, and the ability to read drawings and schedules. You will cover road and pavement repairs, drainage, concrete work, and safety-focused site leadership.

Qualifications

• Valid UK driving licence required.
• Experience in highways and construction.
• Level 2 or equivalent qualification.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, plans and schedules.

Responsibilities

• Lead or be part of a team to carry out highways repairs and maintenance tasks.
• Excavate damaged surfaces, repair potholes, lay asphalt/tarmac, and manage safety on site.
• Install, maintain and repair drainage systems, gully pots and manholes.
• Operate hand tools and machinery, and manage street infrastructure and traffic control.

Skills

Valid UK Driving Licence

Highways & Construction experience

Reading complex instructions

Accurate record-keeping

Education

Level 2 or Equivalent Qualification

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Lionheart Depot, Alnwick

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.

As a Skilled Highways Operative you will lead or be part of a team and will carry out highways repairs and/or maintenance tasks.

What you'll be doing:

• Road & Pavement Repairs: Excavate damaged surfaces, repair potholes, lay new asphalt/tarmac, and carry out flagging, kerbing, and block paving.
• Drainage & Earthworks: Install, clean, and repair drainage pipes, gully pots, manholes, channels, and associated ironwork (such as valve cases and covers).
• Concrete & Structural Work: Lay in-situ concrete, set up steel reinforcement (steel-fixing), and fit formwork or shoring equipment.
• Plant & Equipment Operation: Use a range of hand tools, powered plant, and heavy machinery (such as pedestrian rollers, breakers, or mechanical jetting plant).
• Street Infrastructure: Erect and repair safety fences, guardrails, bollards, street signs, and walling/fencing.
• Traffic Management: Set up and manage temporary traffic control measures to ensure safe work zones.
• Winter & Emergency Response:Participate in gritting, snow-clearing, and emergency flood/storm response (frequently on a rota or out-of-hours basis).
• Site Leadership & Compliance: Read and interpret technical drawings/blueprints, follow health and safety regulations, complete digital/paper work logs, and take a lead role on site in the absence of a supervisor.

What you'll bring:

• Valid UK Driving Licence
• Previous experience in Highways and Construction
• Level 2 or Equivalent Qualification
• The ability to understand complex detailed spoken and written instructions, as well as plans drawings schedules and calculate work requirements and keep accurate work records.

For further information about this vacancy, please contact Dylan Handyside (Highways Maintenance Senior Team Leader) via email; [e-mail]

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