At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in maintaining and improving Reading's highways and drainage systems.
- Company: Join Reading Borough Council, a diverse and inclusive employer committed to community service.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, flexible working, and a supportive environment for career growth.
- Other info: Opportunity for career advancement and innovative contributions in a friendly team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your skills in a hands-on role.
- Qualifications: Strong technical experience in highways, leadership skills, and relevant certifications required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Reading Borough Council is looking for an experienced Senior Highways & Drainage Operative to join our Highways & Drainage Team. This is a hands‑on role with supervisory responsibility, playing a key part in maintaining and improving Reading’s highways, drainage infrastructure and public spaces. We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About The Role
Based at our Bennet Road depot — 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX. You will lead a small operational team delivering a wide range of highways and drainage works across the borough. This includes highway repairs, drainage maintenance, street works and the installation of street furniture, ensuring all work is carried out safely, efficiently and to a high standard. You’ll be responsible for day‑to‑day site activity, vehicle and plant checks, materials ordering, and ensuring compliance with health & safety and streetworks regulations. The role also involves liaising with Engineers and Highway Inspectors and contributing to the delivery of income‑generating and commercial schemes.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading and supervising operatives on site
- Carrying out highway repairs, resurfacing and reinstatement works
- Drainage excavation, repair and gully cleansing
- Installation of street furniture and traffic‑related infrastructure
- Ensuring compliance with Chapter 8, NRSWA and health & safety requirements
- Driving and maintaining LGV vehicles, plant and equipment
- Completing daily inspections, records and returns
- Supporting productivity, efficiency and service delivery targets
About You
We’re looking for someone with strong technical highways experience and the confidence to lead others on site.
- A good standard of literacy and numeracy
- NRSWA Streetworks Accreditation (Excavation & Reinstatement)
- Extensive experience in highway maintenance and drainage works
- Experience supervising staff in a safety‑critical environment
- Good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team
- Technical knowledge of highways materials, plant and equipment
- The ability to prioritise work and meet delivery targets
You will also have (or be willing to work towards):
- HGV Class 2 licence
- Mechanical excavator qualification (CITB recognised)
- Supervisor apprenticeship or equivalent development
Additional Requirements
- Ability to work 37 hours per week plus overtime
- Participation in a call‑out rota (shift allowance may apply)
- Willingness to deputise for the Supervisor when required
- Physically fit to meet the demands of the role
Benefits
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
- Generous holiday entitlement — 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays — rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at the 19 Bennet Road, Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance — three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On‑site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan — a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Contact
For more information on this position please contact Steve Rendell, Highways and Drainage Operations Manager – steve.rendell@reading.gov.uk
Planning Officer / Senior Planning Officer Job profile in Reading employer: Reading Borough Council
Reading Borough Council is an excellent employer that prioritises diversity and inclusion, offering a supportive environment for career growth and innovation. Located at the modern Bennet Road depot, employees benefit from generous holiday entitlements, flexible working opportunities, and access to an on-site nursery, all while contributing to the vital maintenance of Reading's highways and public spaces.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Officer / Senior Planning Officer Job profile in Reading
✨Join Construction Networks
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We think you need these skills to ace Planning Officer / Senior Planning Officer Job profile in Reading
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How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council
✨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
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✨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!
