Skilled Operative

Highly Skilled Operative - External Works

Salary: From £31,785.85 with potential for overtime depending on company requirement

Grade: 3

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 45 hours per week

Location: Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire

Are you able to work part of a team with experience of working on road and highway construction and maintenance?

NY Highways are growing our External Works team. We have a Skilled Operative position open for individuals with hands on highways experience. As a member of the External Works team, you will join a site based team delivering specific projects across the different infrastructure in North Yorkshire. Working on projects ranging from busy towns to rural areas.

This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a team working on a diverse array of projects across North Yorkshire. These works supplement the guaranteed work that NY Highways delivers on behalf of North Yorkshire Council. As a result, we can offer a confirmed, long term and secure portfolio of diverse works including major ongoing projects in Skipton, Harrogate and Scarborough.

Why Work for NY Highways?

• Permanent, full time 45 hour working week position, with opportunity for overtime and weekend working
• A competitive salary starting from £31,785 with annual pay progression
• Recruitment payment of up to 10% of salary at appointment is available for certain roles
• Annual pay awards and additional performance rewards linked to successful project delivery
• Recognition payments for exceptional performance
• Honorarium payments for acting up or deputising for others
• Opportunities for career progression including a strong commitment to your training and development, including a variety of courses to support your career growth
• Generous paid annual leave starting at 24 days, increasing to 29 days with 5 years' service, plus bank holidays. Other types of paid or unpaid leave to support your family circumstances
• Use of a company vehicle during the working day
• Job stability through our partnership with North Yorkshire Council
• Membership of the Royal London pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 6%
• Access to a variety of staff benefits including the Vivup scheme, Cycle to work schemes, Darlington Credit Union and Death in Service Benefit
• Access to occupational health services, health cash plan and an employee assistance programme
• Supportive working environment with a range of best practice policies

As a Highway Skilled Operative you will

• Deliver a wide range of skilled highways maintenance tasks, including kerbing, drainage repairs, patching, ironwork renewal, modular paving, and installing street furniture.
• Operate plant and equipment safely and effectively to carry out general maintenance and repairs in line with health and safety standards.
• Assist with cable detection and traffic management duties.
• Accurately complete risk assessments, record work and defects using handheld devices, and take responsibility for tools and equipment.
• Contribute to the upkeep of roadside verges, excavation works, and site maintenance as part of routine and cyclical operations.

To be successful in this role you will

• Have experience in highways maintenance or construction, with the ability to carry out a variety of skilled tasks such as drainage, kerbing, paving and surfacing.
• Hold a relevant Level 2 qualification or equivalent experience in highway maintenance.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of health and safety practices, including risk assessments and safe systems of work.
• Be confident using plant and equipment, with training provided where necessary.
• Be a team player with strong communication skills and a proactive, flexible approach to work.
• Be physically fit and able to work outdoors in all weather conditions, including unsocial hours as part of an on call rota.
• Be willing to undertake further training in areas such as traffic management, manual handling, and emergency first aid.

Deadline for applications: Friday 19 th June 2026

Interviews are planned to take place on 29 th and 30 th June

We reserve the right to remove this vacancy in the event of the position being filled before the proposed deadline.

NY Highways is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, any disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, or belief.

We will not accept applications from agencies and can only consider applications from individuals with right to work within the UK.

At NY Highways, safety is a core principle. We are dedicated to the health and safety of our employees and the public. To maintain a safe work environment, we enforce a strict substance misuse policy. Employees must report to work fit for duty and free from drugs or alcohol. New employees will undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing, with random tests conducted throughout employment. Adherence to this policy is essential for upholding our safety standards and ensuring the integrity of our operations.