Winter Patrol Driver

BEAR Scotland; Inverness; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay

Night shifts

Standby enhancements

PPE provided

Training & development

Pension scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous holiday entitlement

Job summary

BEAR Scotland is seeking Winter Patrol Drivers for the winter season to support the Scotland trunk road network. This fixed-term role involves night shifts, a 4-on 4-off pattern, and standby duties to keep roads open during adverse weather.

Ideal candidates hold a full UK driving licence and an LGV Class C licence, with a willingness to undertake training. Opportunities may arise to progress to permanent roles in the future.

Qualifications

• Full UK Driving Licence and LGV Class C Licence are essential.
• Understanding of Health and Safety legislation and safe working practices.
• Willingness to undertake training to achieve competency in all aspects of the role.
• Physically fit and capable of working outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Carry out winter maintenance duties, including fitting gritter bodies and snow plough blades.
• Operate gritting vehicles and spread salt manually where required.
• Participate in the winter maintenance standby rota and operate gritters and snow ploughs during adverse weather.
• Respond to changing weather conditions to keep trunk road travel safe.
• Take responsibility for health, safety and wellbeing of the public and colleagues.
• Undertake additional duties to support operational activities.

Skills

Driving Licence

LGV Class C Licence

Health & Safety awareness

Work under pressure

Outdoor work

Tools

Plant tickets

Traffic Management tickets

Health & Safety tickets

Job description

Location: Inverness
Category: Operations / Roadworker / HGV Driver / Winter Patrol
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
Working Pattern: 40 hours per week, Over-Time available on occasion
Additional: Shift Pattern of 4-on, 4-off
Standby Requirement – Applicants must be able to reach their depot within 30 minutes when on standby rota.

BEAR Scotland is a leading provider of highway maintenance services across Scotland. We manage and maintain over 2,000km of Scotland’s trunk road network, tackling just about every imaginable task and working round the clock to help keep Scotland moving.

The North West Trunk Road Unit spans some 1,422km of trunk road through some of the most scenic parts of the country. It covers a huge area of Scotland, from Thurso and Wick in the very north of the Highlands down to Campbeltown in Argyll and Bute, from Uig on Skye to Perth and Stirling.

We are looking for Winter Patrol Drivers to join our Operations Team for the winter season. These fixed-term positions are crucial to our winter service operations, helping to ensure Scotland’s roads remain open and safe during challenging weather conditions.

Winter can be one of the busiest and most demanding times of the year, and you’ll be part of a dedicated team that responds to changing weather conditions around the clock. The role includes participation in a standby rota, nightshift working and weather-dependent overtime opportunities, providing the potential to increase earnings throughout the winter period.

Individuals who show commitment, flexibility and a strong work ethic may have the opportunity to progress into permanent roles with BEAR Scotland in the future or return to join us as a Winter Patrol Driver each winter season.

Standby Requirement

Applicants must be able to reach their depot within 30 minutes when on standby rota.

Responsibilities and Activities

• Carry out winter maintenance duties, including fitting gritter bodies and snow plough blades.
• Operate gritting vehicles and spread salt manually where required.
• Participate in the winter maintenance standby rota and operate our fleet of state-of-the-art gritters and snow ploughs during adverse weather conditions.
• Respond effectively to changing weather conditions to help maintain safe travel across the trunk road network.
• Take responsibility for the health, safety and wellbeing of the public, colleagues and yourself.
• Undertake any additional duties as required to support operational activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Full UK Driving Licence and LGV Class C Licence are essential.
• Understanding of Health and Safety legislation, procedures and safe working practices.
• Previous roadworker experience is desirable, although full training can be provided.
• Willingness to undertake training and achieve competency in all aspects of the role.
• Physically fit and capable of working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Plant, Traffic Management and Health & Safety tickets would be advantageous.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including shift patterns, standby duties and nightshift working.

Why Join BEAR Scotland?

At the heart of our organisation are our people — talented, dedicated professionals who help drive our success. We’re committed to creating a positive, supportive working environment where everyone can grow, thrive, and reach their full potential.

We invest in our teams by offering a wide range of internal and external training opportunities and encouraging continuous professional development at every career stage.

If you’re passionate about delivering the best for clients, enjoy working collaboratively, and hold yourself to high ethical standards, you’ll be a great fit for our team.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary with overtime, nightshift, and standby enhancements
• PPE provided
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Pension scheme with 6% employer contribution
• Additional employee benefits, including Cycle to Work scheme and Employee Assistance Programme