Highways Operative
Salary: From £26,411 per year
Contract: Permanent, Full-time (40 hours per week)
Location: Whitby, North Yorkshire
Build a career that keeps North Yorkshire moving
Looking for secure, practical work where no two days are the same?
Want to learn new skills, work outdoors and build a long‑term career in highways?
NY Highways is looking for a Highways Operative to join our team based from Whitby, working in and around the North Yorkshire coast.
This is a great opportunity to join the business at an entry level, receive full training and qualifications and progress your career within highways maintenance.
What you’ll be doing
As part of a supportive, experienced team, you’ll help maintain and improve the local highway network, carrying out a wide range of routine and seasonal works, including:
- General highway maintenance such as site clearance, verge works and sign cleaning
- Excavating holes and trenches and assisting with drainage and minor repairs
- Supporting traffic management and safe working practices on site
- Operating highways plant, tools and equipment (full training provided)
- Using handheld devices to record work and defects
- Supporting winter maintenance activities, including snow clearance and gritting operations
You’ll also support our internal surface treatment programme, including Slurry works across Whitby, Scarborough and further inland. This will involve assisting experienced operatives with the preparation and application of specialist treatments used to extend the life of highway surfaces. Full training will be provided, giving you the opportunity to develop additional skills as part of your career progression.
You’ll also take part in an out-of-hours callout rota for emergencies and potentially winter maintenance, an important role that helps keep communities moving in all conditions.
This is a hands-on, outdoor role, working in all weathers. Full PPE and outdoor clothing is provided.
Read the full job description here
What we can offer you
This is a great opportunity to secure a permanent role in a coastal area, offering strong benefits, training and long‑term career progression.
With NY Highways you’ll have:
- A secure, permanent role with a respected highways provider
- Training and development from day one, including nationally recognised highways qualifications
- Clear pathways for career progression into skilled operative, LGV or supervisory roles
- Annual pay progression
- Generous annual leave starting at 24 days, rising to 29 days, plus bank holidays
- Company vehicle use during the working day
- Membership of the Royal London pension scheme with employer contributions up to 6%
- Health cash plan, Occupational Health and Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to benefits including Cycle to Work, Vivup discounts, Credit Union and Death in Service cover
- Job stability through our long‑term partnership with North Yorkshire Council
We’re looking for someone who:
- Enjoys practical, physical work and working outdoors
- Can work well as part of a team
- Is willing to learn new skills, including specialist surface treatment (Slurry) operations
- Takes health and safety seriously
- Is willing to learn new skills and gain qualifications
- Is flexible and able to take part in an out‑of‑hours call‑out rota
Experience in highways or construction is helpful but not essential.
Why join NY Highways?
NY Highways delivers highways services across North Yorkshire in partnership with North Yorkshire Council. While we work closely with the Council, we’re an independent organisation with a strong commercial focus and public service values.
Since our launch, we’ve invested heavily in our people, training and equipment, creating a supportive working environment where you can build a long‑term career close to home.
Ready to Apply?
To apply, click here to complete a short application form and upload your CV. Your CV should highlight your relevant experience, qualifications, and licences.
For an informal chat, contact Ashley Benford at [email protected] or call 07814 932 389
Application deadline: Midnight on Sunday 5th July 2026
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.
