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- Tasks: Operate machinery for highways maintenance and support tree work projects.
- Company: Leading firm in highways vegetation management with a focus on safety and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, night shift bonus, full PPE, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Enjoy guaranteed time off over Christmas and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real difference to the UK's green spaces.
- Qualifications: Experience in highways maintenance and excavator operation preferred.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 50000 £ per year.
Our client is expanding! They're looking for skilled Machine Operatives with highways experience, excavator operation expertise, and tree work knowledge to join their growing team. If you take pride in working outdoors, maintaining green spaces, and supporting the UK's infrastructure, this is the role for you.
Location: Staffordshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, Yorkshire & Surrounding Areas
Salary: £30,000 – £50,000 per annum (DOE)
Hours: Minimum 40 hours/week | Night shifts with bonus
About the role
As a Machine Operative, you'll play a key role in maintaining highways and supporting arboricultural works. Your responsibilities will include:
- Operating excavators, tractors, and other machinery for vegetation clearance and maintenance.
- Performing ditch works and trial hole excavations to support highways infrastructure.
- Grass cutting using tractors, flails, bank mowers, ride-on mowers, and handheld equipment.
- Tree and hedge maintenance, including hazardous tree removals and ensuring sign visibility.
- Supporting Arborist Climbers and Grounds Teams where necessary.
- Delivering ad-hoc planting schemes and bespoke landscaping projects.
Preferred experience
- Highways maintenance background (Desirable)
- Excavator operation (360 up to 10t)
- Tree work experience (Arborist or Groundsman) (Desirable)
- Excavators with tree shears & mulchers (Desirable)
- Fastrac with sidearm & front deck (Desirable)
- HGV Class 1 (Desirable)
Useful qualifications (Training provided where necessary)
- CSCS / CPCS / NPORS
- Highways Passport / ROLO
- Lantra Brush Cutter / Strimmer
- NPTC Chainsaw: CS30, CS31a, CS31b, CS38, CS39
- MEWP Chainsaw: CS47
- NPTC Woodchipper
- IPAF – MEWPs
- Operator 360 (up to 10t)
What they offer
- Competitive hourly rate + night shift bonus.
- Salary £30,000 – £50,000 per annum (DOE).
- Full PPE and equipment provided.
- Ongoing training and industry certifications.
- Supportive team culture focused on safety and sustainability.
- Guaranteed time off over Christmas.
About the company
Our client specialises in highways vegetation management, delivering services nationwide. From precision tree work and large-scale grass cutting to seasonal maintenance and full vegetation clearance, they ensure safety and sustainability across every project. 90% of their operations take place at night, with occasional daytime work.
Ready to join a high-performing team and build a long-term career? Apply today and help them keep the UK's highways safe and green!
How to apply
eRecruitSmart is advertising this role on behalf of the hiring company. By applying, your CV will be reviewed and forwarded to the hiring manager responsible for this vacancy. You must currently reside in and have the right to work in the UK, and live within a reasonable commute to the role. Please ensure your CV includes your location and contact details, otherwise you may not be considered. Only suitable applicants will be contacted. We look forward to receiving your application.
Machine Operative - Highways in Stafford employer: eRecruitSmart
Contact Detail:
eRecruitSmart Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Machine Operative - Highways in Stafford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the highways and machinery sectors. Attend local job fairs or industry events to meet potential employers face-to-face. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got experience operating excavators or working with trees, don’t be shy about it. Bring a portfolio of your past projects or even a video showcasing your machine operation skills. We want to see you in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview! Research the company and their projects, especially in highways vegetation management. We recommend practising common interview questions related to your role, so you can confidently demonstrate your expertise when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the easiest way to ensure your application gets noticed. Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience and qualifications, and don’t forget to include your location. We’re excited to help you land that Machine Operative role!
We think you need these skills to ace Machine Operative - Highways in Stafford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your highways experience and any relevant machine operation skills. We want to see how your background fits with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your excavator operation expertise!
Show Off Your Skills: List any qualifications you have that are relevant to the job, like CSCS or CPCS. If you've got tree work experience or know your way around different machinery, let us know – it could make all the difference!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point about why you're a great fit for the Machine Operative role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at eRecruitSmart
✨Know Your Machinery
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the specific machinery you'll be operating, like excavators and tractors. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience and any relevant certifications you hold, as this will show your expertise and confidence in handling the equipment.
✨Highlight Your Highways Experience
Since the role focuses on highways maintenance, be prepared to share specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your skills in this area. Talk about any projects you've worked on, especially those involving vegetation management or tree work, to showcase your relevant experience.
✨Safety First!
Emphasise your commitment to safety and sustainability during the interview. Discuss any safety training you've completed, such as CSCS or CPCS, and how you apply these principles in your daily work. This will resonate well with the company's focus on a supportive team culture.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the team's approach to ongoing training or how they handle night shifts. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.