At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to maintain and improve Reading's highways and drainage systems.
- Company: Join Reading Borough Council, dedicated to enhancing public spaces.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, flexible working, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and professional development available.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in highways maintenance and leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 33699 - 36363 £ per year.
Reading Borough Council
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.
- Job Details
- Full Time
- Permanent
- Location: Reading
- Posted: 6 days ago
- Closing date: 14 July 2026
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, including highway repairs, drainage maintenance, street works and the installation of street furniture.
You will ensure 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 and 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
- Lead and supervise operatives on site
- Carry out highway repairs, resurfacing and reinstatement works
- Drainage excavation, repair and gully cleansing
- Install street furniture and traffic‑related infrastructure
- Ensure compliance with Chapter 8, NRSWA and health and safety requirements
- Drive and maintain LGV vehicles, plant and equipment
- Complete daily inspections, records and returns
- Support 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.
Requirements
- 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 ability to work as part of a team
- Technical knowledge of highways materials, plant and equipment
- Ability to prioritise work and meet delivery targets
- HGV Class 2 licence (or willing to obtain)
- Mechanical excavator qualification (CITB recognised)
- Supervisor apprenticeship or equivalent development
- 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
- Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days plus public holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years, with the option to buy additional leave
- Wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at 19 Bennet Road, Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for LGPS members)
- On‑site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme
- Contact
For more information on this position please contact Steve Rendell, Highways and Drainage Operations Manager – steve. rendell@reading. gov. uk.
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