Lead Civil Operative

Lead Civil Operative
Salary from £36,974
Operational Incentive Scheme + Van
41.25 hours work pattern over 7 days – including standby/callout rota
Three positions available across the NGN Network

Start Date – 12th January 2026

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Civil Operations team as a Lead Civil Operative, supporting the delivery of Northern Gas Network’s (NGN) Capital Programme. You will play a key role in leading civil engineering works across our gas assets, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

This role is ideal for hardworking, committed individuals who are flexible and prepared to work early mornings, evenings, and in varying weather conditions. In return, NGN offers specialist training, qualifications, and ongoing career development.

A full UK driving licence is essential. The role involves travel across NGN’s operational area, including major cities such as Newcastle, Sunderland, Leeds, York, Hull, and Bradford, as well as rural regions like North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Supervise and support civil operatives, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently, safely, and to a high standard
• Ensure full compliance with health and safety regulations, including correct use of PPE and adherence to company standards
• Maintain high-quality workmanship and attention to detail across all civil engineering tasks
• Manage tools, materials, and equipment effectively to minimise waste and ensure availability
• Coordinate with project managers, engineers, and stakeholders to align work with project plans and schedules
• Identify and resolve on-site issues promptly, using practical problem‑solving skills to keep projects on track
• Provide training and support to team members, helping them build skills and perform effectively

What we are looking for

• A proactive self‑starter who prioritises safety and consistently delivers excellent customer service
• Experienced in all aspects of civil works, including concreting, drainage, reinstatement, paving, and groundworks
• Able to follow instructions, complete risk assessments, and comply with method statements, ensuring high standards of environmental health and safety
• Physically fit and comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions
• A dependable team player with a positive, can‑do attitude
• Willing to adhere to NGN’s clean‑shaven policy as part of our Health & Safety requirements
• Committed to maintaining professionalism and quality in every aspect of the role

Qualifications & Requirements

• Qualifications relevant to civil engineering, CPCS/NPORS excavators, dumpers, abrasive wheels, deep excavations, NRSWA, CSCS, etc.

What we offer you

• Salary from £36,974 per annum
• Bonus according to the Operational Incentive Mechanism + Van + Overtime
• 25 days annual leave (plus recognised bank holidays and 2 half days over the Christmas period)
• SSP for the first 2 calendar days then occupational sick pay
• Flexible benefits and salary sacrifice options, including discounts on a variety of UK attractions, gym membership, restaurant discounts, experience days, and more
• Family‑friendly policies such as 6 weeks\’ paternity leave (for eligible employees) and 6 months\’ full pay for employees on maternity leave (for eligible employees), as well as shared parental leave and many more

We are Northern Gas Networks. We deliver gas to 2.7 million homes and businesses in the North East, Northern Cumbria and much of Yorkshire. That’s around 6.7million individual customers. We don’t generate or sell the gas, but we transport it to homes and businesses in our region through a vast network of underground pipes. In fact, we own and maintain more than 37,000km of gas pipes – enough to stretch from Leeds to Sydney and back again. We cover large cities like Newcastle, Sunderland, Leeds, York, Hull, and Bradford, and our work extends to rural areas like North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

Values – trailblazing, empowered, heartfelt, community focused, intellectually curious and most of all, happy.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion culture at NGN is embedded in everything that we do. We will be delighted to hear from a diverse range of applicants, so we can continue to grow our great team of people. We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant, help ex‑services personnel back into employment, and are committed to delivering our ‘Opportunity Action Plan’ having signed the Social Mobility Pledge campaign, whereby we will establish our business as a ‘force for good’ in the communities that we serve.

Next Steps

Please apply by clicking apply and uploading your CV. We love to see how your experience and skills are transferable to this role, so please ensure these are all included in your application. Once the advert has closed, we will contact within one week to let you know if you have progressed to the next stage. We are looking to hold interviews for this role beginning of November. We look forward to receiving your application for the role.

Adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process – any applicant that requires reasonable adjustments from initial application through to interview is asked to contact the Recruitment Team at NGNCareers@northerngas.co.uk