Planning Officer / Senior Planning Officer Job profile

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 -