Land Drainage Operative (Machinery Operative)
37.5 HOURS PER WEEK
ANNUAL SALARY: £28,000 - £34,000
(depending on qualifications and experience) plus vehicle allowance, Local Government Pension Scheme & other excellent benefits
Job title: Land Drainage Operative
Team/Department: Operations Team
Location: Anywhere within the Boards district, with base set at Broadmead Road, Stewartby, MK43 9ND
Responsible to: Operations Manager
Responsible for: No line management responsibilities
Grade/Salary: £28,000 to £34,000 (dependent upon experience and overtime)
Duration: Full time, Permanent, 37.5 hours per week
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Land Drainage Operative to join the Upper Ouse Water Management Board (formerly Bedford Group of Internal Drainage Boards). This opportunity is to work as a Land Drainage Operative Machinery Operative within the Operations team.
You will operate machinery such as excavators, tractors, grass cutting equipment and specialist equipment to ensure watercourse & asset maintenance is carried out to alleviate flood risk within the catchment. As a member of the Operations team, you will undertake maintenance works as instructed and to the standard detailed to ensure the Boards assets & watercourses function adequately & in accordance with the Boards health & safety and environmental policies.
Although the Boards office is based at Stewartby, Bedford, you are required to travel across the catchment area to working sites and vehicle allowances are provided.
The appointment offers a competitive salary depending on qualifications and experience together with local government pension, opportunities and training to progress and develop knowledge & skills.
For more information about the Upper Ouse Water Management Board, please look at our website www.idbs.org.uk. For more information regarding this role, please don’t hesitate to contact Phillip Lovesey, Area Manager on 01234 767995 or [email protected].
The closing date for receipt of applications is 11pm on Thursday 16th July 2026.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Context
The Upper Ouse Water Management Board is a newly constituted IDB (order made January 2026, effective April 2026) comprised of the former Bedfordshire & River Ivel, Buckingham & River Ouzel and Alconbury & Ellington Internal Drainage Board’s (IDB’s), operating in the upper reaches of the River Great Ouse catchment, from North Oxfordshire, through Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire to Huntingdon. Further to several successful years of partnership working, the Board has recently joined the Water Management Alliance (WMA) in 2026.
The Operations Team works alongside the Board Engineers to ensure that the Board’s systems function adequately to manage the water levels within the Board’s Internal Drainage District and in accordance with the Board’s Health, Safety and Environmental Policies.
As a Land Drainage Operative, you will work across the whole district undertaking maintenance works to the standard detailed to you. Working together as part of a small team of operatives reporting to the Board’s Works Supervisor and Operations Manager.
Main Responsibilities
Weed Cutting/Flailing
· Cutting weed-growth from the banks of the watercourse using an excavator, tractor and flail/Aebi.
· Clearing weed-growth from the channel of the watercourse using an excavator and depositing material on drain bank top.
Reforming/De-silting Works
· Reprofiling/De-silting of watercourse to original design standard, using an excavator, as specified by the Board’s Engineering Department.
Plant and Equipment
· Ensure that all plant and equipment that you are using is safe and that the relevant checks are carried out and forms filled in and any concerns or issues immediately reported to the Operations Manager/Works Supervisor.
· Liaise with the Operations Manager/Works Supervisor to ensure that you have all the necessary equipment and materials available to carry out your duties.
· Loading/unloading of materials.
· Completion of vehicle log sheets and plant log sheets.
· Collection and transportation of materials to site.
· Miscellaneous site duties.
Environmental
· Ensure that you undertake all works in an environmentally sensitive manner in accordance with the Board’s policy.
Health and Safety
- Attend any Health and Safety training courses deemed necessary by the Board to fulfil the Drainage Operative role.
- Comply with the Board’s Health and Safety Policy at all times and actively carry out a dynamic risk assessment before performing any task.
- Comply fully with the lone working procedures.
Other Requirements and Duties
- Accurately log the condition of drains and structures, reporting any problems/damage (e.g. slips) to the Operations Manager/Works Supervisor.
- Undertaking any training required to enable the post-holder to fulfil the role.
- Undertaking any other duties that may reasonably be required within the role of Drainage Operative and understanding that the list of duties outline above is not exhaustive and is subject to change/periodic review.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
· CITB/Land Based training on Tractors/Excavators.
Desirable
· Chainsaw/Strimmer/Power Tools certification
· Forklift/Telehandler certification
Experience/Skills/Knowledge
Essential
· Use of Tractor and mower/flailing attachments.
· Minimum 3 years work experience in the Agricultural, Construction or Water Industry
· Must hold a full/valid UK driving licence and be prepared to travel across the district for the purpose of Board business.
Desirable
· Chain sawing or tree felling operations.
· Strimming and cutting operations.
· Be able to read and interpret scaled drawings and plans.
· Environmental and sustainable knowledge/awareness in watercourses and the surrounding areas
Person Specification
· Must have excellent interpersonal and diplomacy skill and be a team player.
· Must be a practical, pragmatic individual that is keen to learn/undertake all aspects of the role.
· Must be able to work effectively using initiative, be a hard worker & punctual.
· Must be able to read a map.
Other Job Information (e.g. any special factors or constraints)
· You must be able to work, walk and access watercourse and drainage catchments in all weather conditions.
· All work performed/duties undertaken must be carried out in accordance with relevant Board and Departmental policies and procedures, within legislation, and with regard to the needs of our customers and landowners.
· Work within the public and Flood & Water Management sectors can involve dealing with new and emerging legislation
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £28,000.00-£34,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Experience:
- Agricultural, Construction or Water Industry: 3 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
