Highways Maintenance Operative
COLASJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
Colas is hiring a Highways Maintenance Operative in Portsmouth to perform repairs to the highway, drive and maintain small plant, complete defect management and risk assessments, and ensure safety of staff and the public. You’ll need good communication, a safety minded approach, and be prepared for night work. Ideal candidates bring highways or civil engineering experience; NRSWA and CSCS tickets are desirable. The role offers £14-£16 per hour, monthly pay, pension up to 10%, life cover x4, 21 days leave plus holidays, and funded professional development. Tips: tailor your CV to highlight relevant highway maintenance experience, tickets, safety achievements, and evidence of teamwork; show you value Colas four core values and your readiness to grow with the company.
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.
Purpose of the role
We have a a great opportunity for a Highways Maintenance Operative to join the team in Portsmouth, P06 1TA. Reporting to the Project Manager, you will carry out various repairs to the Highways as instructed by means of the confirm defect management system and as directed by management and to ensure that the works are carried out in a safe manner with regards to colleagues and members of the general public.
Package Description:
Here at Colas, we offer a great total compensation package, including:
- An hourly rate between £14-£16
- Monthly paid
- Our Colas Pension Scheme has combined contributions of up to 10%
- Life Assurance Scheme which is x4 basic salary
- 21 days annual leave per year + Public Holidays
- Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
- Hybrid Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
- Opportunities to study towards a fully funded Professional Qualification
- Ongoing personal / professional development
- Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and much more through our online employee benefits portal
Main Responsibilities
As a Highways Maintenance Operative, you duties will include but not be limited to the following:
- Ensure that full PPE is worn at all times inclusive of Hard hat, long sleeved hi viz shirt, hi viz trousers, and safety boots.
- Be proficient in the use of small items of plant and ensure that the required tickets are obtained before use
- Carry out various repairs to the Highway as required
- Ensure that vehicles are kept tidy and that vehicle defect sheets are filled in daily
- Ensure that vehicle fobs are used at all times and faults are reported as and when
- Make sure that a risk assessment is in place before any task is undertaken
- Report all incidents immediately to a Supervisor
- Be respectful of your Colleagues and members of the public
- Ensure all work is carried out to a high standard to avoid repeat visits
- To ensure that all operations carried out within our area of responsibility are undertaken with full regard for the safety of visitors, other members of staff and yourself
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have similar experience in the Highways sectors, construction or from the civil engineering field. You will have NRSWA and a CSCS card (desirable).
You will have great communication skills and good technical knowledge. It is essential that you have good understanding of health and safety and be a great team player. In this role, you will be available to work at night in some instances if the job dictates and be expected to undertake call out on a rota system.
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.