At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to maintain and repair essential water networks for our community.
- Company: Affinity Water, dedicated to providing wholesome drinking water.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for learning, career growth, and community volunteering.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in mains and service pipes, NVQ Level 2 preferred.
The predicted salary is between 36527 - 45990 £ per year.
We are looking for self-motivated and customer-focused individuals to join our team of dedicated Network Operatives in our Folkestone area.
An experienced Mains & Services Operative is required to join a small team operating from our offices in Folkestone. The person should have experience in repair and maintenance of both mains and service pipes and preferably be qualified to at least NVQ Level 2 or equivalent. You should also hold a current Street works qualification, as required by the New Roads and Street Works Act. It is essential that the candidate is dedicated to providing a high level of service to our customers, self-motivated and able to work with different partners as part of a two-person team. A driving licence is essential, ideally clean and the ability to use other construction equipment such as a mini digger would also be beneficial.
What you'll be doing:
- Ensure efficient maintenance and repairs of the Network, providing 24/7 wholesome drinking water to our customers
- Ensure our customers are kept fully informed of any works that affect them
- Ensure that all legal, regulatory and Health & Safety obligations are met
- Undertake emergency response activities, including out-of-hours standby and call-outs
- Comply with the New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA), traffic management requirements and permit conditions
- Accurately record risk assessments and work completed using mobile devices and work management systems
- Work collaboratively with planners, technicians, supervisors and contractors
- Support colleagues during major incidents and emergency repairs
- Share knowledge and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives
What you’ll need:
- Work Safely in compliance with company standards, legislation and industry best practice
- Demonstrates competence in excavation safety, utility avoidance and traffic management
- Maintains high standards of housekeeping and site safety
- Understands the importance of protecting drinking water quality
- Works effectively within operational teams and across departments
- Represents the organisation positively while working in the community
- Communicates clearly and professionally with both customers and stakeholders
- Full clean/manual - UK driving licence
If your background is in site-based construction or labour-based roles, you’ll have great transferable skills and can learn ‘on the job’ via our experienced Network teams. This role requires participation in a 1 in 6 stand-by rotation.
Benefits:
- Salary: £36,527 - £45,990 (Dependent on skills & experience)
- Stand-by: 1 in 6 = £7,055 + Standby Allowance £1083.58 Total: £45,990
- Competitive salary dependant on skills and experience
- Learning and development opportunities, including mentoring and a range of formal courses and open learning resources
- Entry into the company annual bonus scheme
- Annual leave from 23-27 rising with length of service, and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days
- A ‘Celebration Day’ in addition to public holidays that people can use to celebrate a religious festival or other occasion that is important to them
- A generous 'double match pension scheme' that doubles the contributions you make (company contribution capped at 12%)
- We offer a range of family benefits including enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support Leave and up to 5 full or 10 half days of paid Carers Leave
- Menopause policy and Reasonable Adjustment policy to help everyone perform at their best
- Access to our Wellbeing Centre with support for looking after your physical and mental health
- Discounts at a Range of Retail Outlets through our Tap4Perks scheme
- Discounts on Dental and Medical Insurance through our Tap4Perks scheme through salary sacrifice
- Up to 4 Affinity days a year to volunteer in the community
- Life Assurance
As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to offering interviews to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria and opt in on the application form. Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.
Network Operative - Folkestone employer: Affinity Water
Affinity Water is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. With a competitive salary starting from £55,000 and a range of benefits tailored to support both personal and professional growth, employees can thrive in their roles while contributing to the success of a vital service. Located in a collaborative environment, this position provides unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact on workforce management for frontline advisors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Network Operative - Folkestone
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Affinity Water, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Network Operative - Folkestone at Affinity Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Network Operative - Folkestone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Affinity Water
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!