At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to maintain highways and footpaths, ensuring high standards and safety.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, committed to delivering excellent public services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive team that values diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in highways maintenance and relevant health and safety certifications.
The predicted salary is between 29550 - 32055 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: Croft Depot, Arbor Road, Croft Leicestershire LE9 3GE or Mountsorrel Depot, Hawcliffe Road, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire LE12 7AH
Salary: £29,550 - £32,055 per annum (pro rata for part-time)
Working Hours: Full Time, 37 Hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: Sunday 15th November 2026
Interview Date(s): Wednesday 25th November 2026 - Please note: interviews will be in person.
About the Role
Come and work as part of a team that delivers the best value, customer-focused service throughout Leicestershire and, occasionally, surrounding counties. Leading a small team of Operators, you will work flexibly, efficiently and effectively delivering construction, maintenance and surfacing activities to maintain highways, footpaths and structures in accordance with statutory requirements.
You will ensure that activities are completed to a high standard, in accordance with the LCC specifications, tackle unacceptable behaviour on site, record any incidents, and escalate to the Site Team Leader/ Supervisor for further action, if required. You will also assist in the development of skills for less experienced operatives and encourage experiential learning whilst on site.
The nature of the work may involve you carrying out activities outside of normal working hours, including night, weekends and public holidays, in all weather conditions to meet the needs of the service. You may be required to support a call-out rota to cover evening, weekend and public holiday emergencies. (Exclusion will apply to employees aged under 21).
This role is a “Safety Critical Post” and, consequently, subject to random drug and alcohol testing in accordance with our policies and procedures.
About You
To apply for this post, you must be able to evidence in your application how you meet the following criteria:
- Qualifications in NVQ 2 in Highways Maintenance or similar, Trades Test Assessment, New Roads and Streetworks Act (NRSWA) Qualification (Operative), Accredited and relevant H&S Training Records and Certification (e.g. NPORS plant operator, Appointed Person, etc) or have demonstrable evidence of the skills and experience together with a commitment to attain the essential qualifications.
- Have experience of working in a highways or civil engineering environment and using information technology (e.g. personal computer, PDS, mobile phones, etc) in a work-related context.
- Have extensive knowledge of construction specifications, materials, compaction, and workmanship requirements, also of safe working practices when using plant and machinery.
- Know about Construction Health, Safety and Environmental requirements and safe working procedures, legislation including driver’s hours, PPE and manual handling and of Chapter 8 Traffic Management Regulations.
- You have core communication skills, both written and verbal.
- You can and are willing to work with everyone in the team, and you can use your own initiative in planning and prioritising.
- Skilled at driving and operating specialist plant and use of rollers, compaction equipment and saws.
- Can respond confidently to customers & colleagues with understanding & diplomacy whilst maintaining an objective & professional stance and give customers the correct information and keep them up to date with regular contact.
- You can remain calm & positive in challenging circumstances.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact: John Benson, Highways Works Manager [North]. Tel: 01163055365 Email: John.Benson@leics.gov.uk Tom Vesty, Highways Works Manager [South]. Tel: 01163050975 Email: Tom.Vesty@leics.gov.uk
How to Apply
At Leicestershire County Council we’re looking for top talent from all walks of life. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your background - we care about what you bring to our organisation, not just what’s on your CV. That’s why we’ve designed a recruitment process that’s fair, accessible, and focused on potential. And with benefits that support people at every age and stage of life, we make sure you can thrive - both personally and professionally.
If you share our passion to make a difference for the people of Leicestershire, we’d love to hear from you. Click the apply button to submit your application, ensuring that you upload a supporting statement that explains how you meet the criteria listed in the ‘About You’ section above. Without this information, we won’t be able to assess your suitability for the role, and your application will be rejected.
For tips on how to write your statement, see the How to Apply section on our career site. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post or you want to request an application pack in an alternative format, please contact our Employee Service Centre by telephoning 0300 3030222 (select option 2) or raising a ticket via our online portal: https://emss.org.uk/support.
By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
Lead Field Operative in Leicester employer: Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
Leicestershire County Council is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where Occupational Therapists can make a real difference in the lives of adults and children. With a strong emphasis on collaboration across health, housing, and social care teams, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional growth, making it a rewarding place to advance your career while positively impacting the community.
Contact Details:
Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Field Operative in Leicester
✨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!
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✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
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We think you need these skills to ace Lead Field Operative in Leicester
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 Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
✨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!
