Balfour Beatty plc
General Operative
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About The Role
Job Title: General Operative
Location: South Queensferry
Project Type: Civils / Highways
Company: Balfour Beatty Group
Balfour Beatty is seeking hardworking and motivated General Operatives to join our team working on the historic Forth Rail Bridge, one of the world's most recognised engineering landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bridge continues to play a vital role in Scotland's rail network, carrying passenger and freight services across the Firth of Forth between Edinburgh and Fife.
This is a fantastic opportunity to work on a nationally significant infrastructure project while developing your skills within one of the UK's leading construction and engineering organisations.
What you'll be doing
As a General Operative, you will support the safe and efficient delivery of maintenance, refurbishment, civil engineering and railway infrastructure works across the Forth Rail Bridge project. Working as part of a dedicated site team, you will play a key role in ensuring works are completed to the highest standards of safety, quality and productivity.
Key Accountabilities
- Assist with general construction, rail and maintenance activities on site.
- Support tradespeople, engineers and supervisors in delivering project works.
- Carry out manual handling duties and material movement as required.
- Prepare work areas and maintain safe access routes.
- Operate basic tools and equipment safely and effectively.
- Maintain high standards of housekeeping across work locations.
- Follow all site-specific safety procedures, permits and risk assessments.
- Support lifting, loading and unloading activities.
- Assist with inspections, maintenance and repair activities.
- Ensure all work is completed in accordance with project quality standards.
- Report hazards, close calls and safety concerns promptly.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, subcontractors and project stakeholders.
- Participate in toolbox talks, safety briefings and training activities.
Who we're looking for
Essential
- Previous experience in a construction, rail, infrastructure, utilities or industrial environment.
- HSE CSCS Card.
- Strong commitment to health, safety and environmental standards.
- Ability to undertake physically demanding work.
- Good communication and teamwork skills.
- Flexible approach to working hours, including occasional nights and weekends.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
- Ability to work at height in accordance with safety procedures.
- Reliable, punctual and safety-focused attitude.
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Desirable
- PTS (Personal Track Safety).
- Experience working within rail or civil engineering environments.
- Manual Handling certification.
- First Aid qualification.
- Plant or machinery operation experience.
- Experience working on major infrastructure projects.
Why work for us
Professional & Personal Development
The size and scale of Balfour Beatty coupled with our strong pipeline of work provides incredible opportunities, regardless of what stage you are at in your career.
We encourage and empower our employees to take control of their career and explore which part of the business they want to work in and what role is right for them. We actively encourage our managers and employees to have open communication throughout the year about wellbeing, development and career opportunities.
We're also very proud of our Balfour Beatty Academy. Whether it’s sharpening your technical expertise, improving your personal skills or seeking support to become professionally qualified.
Be part of a major energy infrastructure investment that’s shaping the UK’s low-carbon future. Work on challenging, high-profile projects with the support of a skilled, multi-disciplinary team. Join a culture of learning, improvement, and excellence—where your voice makes a difference. Enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package, development opportunities, and a flexible, inclusive working environment.
For further information about Balfour Beatty Regional Scotland please go to www.balfourbeatty.com/careers/Scotland - You can also check out further job opportunities in the careers section
About Us
From Dunfermline’s tramways in 1909 to highland hospitals today, Balfour Beatty has been trusted for over a century to deliver the complex and critical infrastructure and iconic buildings Scotland relies on.
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We have the people, knowledge and experience to safely deliver projects right first time, maximising value for money and ensuring a positive social impact and inclusive economic growth for local communities.
Our award-winning sustainable projects, including active travel, Passivhaus and retrofit, demonstrate our commitment to supporting Scotland’s transition towards net zero in the built environment.
Diversity and inclusion
At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion
To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/
We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: candidaterecruitmentqueries@balfourbeatty.com
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