Highways Heavy Plant/HGV Operative (Across Northumberland)

Job Introduction

Northumberland County Council’s (NCC) vision is ‘Land of Great Opportunities’, for current and future generations. We believe there is no better place to live and work.

Northumberland County Council is committed to delivering safe, well-maintained highways across the county. As part of our Highways team, we play a vital role in keeping Northumberland's road network in excellent condition for residents, businesses and visitors. Our operational teams use specialist equipment and innovative repair techniques to deliver efficient highway maintenance solutions countywide.

What you’ll be doing:

• Vehicle Operation: Drive and manage truck-mounted or compact sweeping vehicles along designated routes.

• Pre-Shift Checks: Conduct daily walk-around and mechanical safety checks, ensuring the vehicle is roadworthy before heading out.

• Brush & Suction Control: Adjust side-spinning gutter brooms and central cylindrical brushes to gather dirt, litter, leaves, grit, and mud.

• Dust & Environmental Management: Operate under-mounted water spray jets to suppress airborne dust (PM10 and PM2.5) during operation.

• Waste & Debris Disposal: Empty collection hoppers or transport collected arisings to authorised or licensed waste disposal facilities, while complying with environmental and carrier regulations.

• Site and Traffic Safety: Set up temporary traffic management, including safety cones, barriers, and temporary traffic lights to protect the crew and public.

• Excavation and Reinstatement: Dig holes manually or with machinery to repair road structures, locate underground gas, water, or power cables safely, and backfill surfaces.

• Pothole and Surface Repairs: Cut, clear, rake, and lay new asphalt, tarmac, or concrete patches under the guidance of a skilled operative or within a team.

• Kerbing and Paving: Help lift, set, and level kerbs, channels, block paving, and modular slabs. Carry out highway repairs and maintenance works including modular and block paving, kerbs and channels, flexible surfaces, ironwork (manholes, gullies, valve boxes), concrete works (including reinforcement), bollards, fencing and minor landscaping reinstatement.

• Drainage Maintenance: Clear gully pots, clean out drains, and install or repair drainage pipes. Including excavation of trenches, laying of pipes, operation of mechanical jetting plant, and all associated health and safety precautions.

• Street Furniture and Ironwork: Assist with adjusting manhole covers, gully grates, road signs, bollards, and safety fencing.

• Tool and Plant Support: Prepare, clean, and operate smaller hand and power tools (such as wacker plates, breakers, and pedestrian rollers) and prepare, deliver materials as directed. Operate highways plant and equipment such as, vibrating rollers, mini‑excavators, road rollers, saws, compressors and other small plant, subject to training and accreditation.

What you’ll bring:

• An HGV licence
• Ability to work unsupervised between sites.
• Knowledge of the legislation and regulations relating to driving

For further information about this vacancy, please contact Ben Gallagher (Highways Area Manager) via email; ben.gallagher@northumberland.gov.uk

Why choose us?

We have some outstanding benefits and perks to offer you, including:

• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexi scheme (if applicable) – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees)

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What you need to know

For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes here.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.

For further information about working for NCC, please visit our website here.

Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.

Additionally, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.

Alternative application format:

British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net

For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930