Senior Highways and Drainage Operative


Company:	Reading Borough Council
Salary:	£34,811 to £37,563 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Reading, RG2 0QX
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	1 Sept 2026
Closing date:	13 Sept 2026

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Summary

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 include:

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.

You will have:

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

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Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.