Highways Maintenance Operative

Colas Ltd are a UK subsidiary of the global Colas Group, which operates in over 50 countries worldwide and employs over 55,000 people including over 1500 in the UK across multiple sites. We are specialists in highways construction and have been involved in large-scale UK and international construction projects within the highways, airfields, and marine sectors as well as offering highways maintenance services and manufacturing our own innovative surfacing products. We hold a 'Gold Investor in People' award for continuously developing and rewarding our employees, offering excellent career potential.  

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Purpose of the role

Colas are looking for 2 x Highways Maintenance Operatives (HMO) to join our team predominantly on Nights to be based at Coleshill Depot, B46 3HN. 

As a Highways Maintenance Operative, you will work as part of a dedicated team delivering a range of highways maintenance activities across the Strategic Road Network. This role involves carrying out reactive, routine and planned maintenance works, supporting winter maintenance operations and responding to incidents and emergencies when required.

Activities will vary and may include Traffic Management, Gully Emptying, Soft Estate Maintenance, Street Furniture Repairs, Winter Maintenance and other essential highway maintenance duties. Colas are responsible for the eight-year Maintenance & Response contract for National Highways Area 9, covering approximately 2,300 miles of Strategic Road Network across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire, as well as parts of Gloucestershire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire. Area 9 is a critical transport hub, supporting key motorway interchanges and major transport infrastructure across the UK.

Coleshill depot | Full Time | £12.89 - £15.04 per hour (dependent on experience and licences)

✔ Predominantly night shifts with occasional day shifts

✔ 40-hour working week

✔ Monthly Paid

✔ Additional rates paid for overtime, standby and call-outs

✔ 21 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Main Responsibilities

Your responsibilities as a Highways Maintenance Operative will include:

• Carrying out a variety of highways maintenance activities safely and efficiently
• Undertaking Gully Emptying, Soft Estate Maintenance, Sweeping and Cleaning activities
• Installing, maintaining and removing Traffic Management systems
• Supporting Winter Maintenance operations and severe weather response activities
• Participating in Incident Management and emergency response activities
• Working closely with colleagues to ensure safe systems of work and risk assessments are followed at all times
• Operating company vehicles, plant and equipment safely and in accordance with company procedures
• Conducting vehicle safety checks before use
• Completing administrative duties, including timesheets and recording labour, plant and material usage
• Maintaining a professional approach that positively reflects the company
• Working predominantly night shifts with flexibility to work days when required
• Participating in out-of-hours standby rotas for winter maintenance and emergency response
• Ensuring all activities are undertaken with due regard for health, safety, quality and environmental requirements
• Undertaking any other duties reasonably requested by your Line Manager or Ganger

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will have:

• Full UK Driving Licence (essential)
• Class C HGV Licence with CPC (preferred)
• Experience within highways maintenance or a similar operational environment (desirable)
• Relevant highways qualifications such as Traffic Management, VRS, Gully Emptying or Soft Estate Maintenance (desirable)

A proactive and positive attitude with a willingness to learn

The ability to work using your own initiative and as part of a team

Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in high-pressure environments

A commitment to health, safety and quality standards

Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions

Flexibility to work nights, occasional days and participate in emergency response and winter service rotas

Package Description

Here at Colas, we offer a great total compensation package, including:

• Our Colas Pension Scheme with combined contributions of up to 10%
• Life Assurance Scheme of 4x basic salary
• Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
• Hybrid Working Scheme (role dependent)
• Opportunities to study towards fully funded professional qualifications
• Ongoing personal and professional development
• Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and much more through our employee benefits portal

At Colas, our culture is guided by four core values: Respect, Commitment, Pioneering, and Sharing. These values shape how we work, collaborate, and grow together. We believe that respect is the foundation of every relationship. By treating others as we wish to be treated, we foster fairness, transparency, and inclusion within our teams and with our clients, communities, and partners. Commitment means dedicating ourselves fully to everything we do. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact. With a pioneering spirit, we prioritise bold innovation over blind ambition. We welcome new ideas, invest in our people, and work to deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions that shape the future. Through sharing

, we build trust and solidarity, encouraging collaboration and growth at all levels of the business. 

Colas Ltd is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you want a workplace where your voice is valued and your potential is developed, Colas is the right choice. 

Note to Recruitment Agencies                                                                                                                                         

In line with our Company Policy, Colas Ltd has a preference for direct hiring and we will reach out to our PSL (Preferred Suppliers List) agencies if the role is eligible for release. We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If a speculative CV is sent, no fee will be applicable.