Drainage / Excavator Operative

Attractive benefits package

• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (West Yorkshire Pension Fund)
• Overtime
• Generous Leave Entitlement

About Us (WMA)

The Water Management Alliance (WMA) is a group of like-minded Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) who share vision,
values and standards and have chosen to jointly administer their affairs in order to reduce costs, strengthen
their own organisations and increase influence at both regional and national level. An overview of the WMA can be
found on our homepage.

Internal Drainage Boards (“IDBs”) are local public authorities that manage flood risk and land drainage within
areas of special drainage need in England. IDBs undertake a vast range of vital work to reduce flood risk and
manage water in a way that meets the local needs of residents, businesses and agriculture in accordance with their
environmental duties whilst enhancing the ecological wellbeing of their districts.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Drainage/Excavator Operative to join the Water Management Alliance (WMA) Group of Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs). This opportunity is to work as a Drainage/Excavator Operative within the Operations Delivery Team of the South Holland IDB.

The annual flat salary is based on a 40 hour week, you will be expected to work overtime at a rate of 1.5 times the hourly rate during the cutting season (June – December). Overtime may also be available at other times throughout the year.

You will operate an excavator during the cutting season, and undertake general duties during the rest of the year to ensure the drainage/water level management systems are in order, to mitigate local flood risk. As a member of the Operations Delivery Team, you will undertake maintenance works as instructed and to the standard detailed to ensure that the Board’s systems function adequately to manage the water levels within the South Holland Internal Drainage District and in accordance with the Board’s Health and Safety and Environmental Policies. While some experience working within the water drainage industries would be desirable, we recognise that this role may attract candidates from across a number of disciplines.

The appointment offers a competitive salary depending on qualifications and experience, together with the Local Government Pension Scheme, and the opportunity to progress as the business develops.

The role is based In Holbeach, South Lincolnshire. The Boards district covers an approx. area of 38,000 hectares from Spalding to Sutton Bridge.

For more information about the WMA, South Holland IDB and this position please see the job description and person specification below. Please also feel free to contact Dave Sporton, Works Manager, on 07960710924 with any questions regarding the opportunity.

Please return a copy of your CV by email to daves@wlma.org.uk or alternatively by post to the Board’s office at South Holland IDB, Marsh Reeves Office, Foxes Lowe Road, Holbeach, Spalding, Lincs, PE12 7PA.

The closing date for receipt of applications is noon on Monday 2^nd March 2026.

Main Responsibilities:

Drainage Maintenance and Improvement:

• Clearing weed-growth from the channel of the watercourse.
• De-silting of watercourses by mechanical means.
• Re-profiling of drain banks by mechanical means.
• Pruning and/or removal of trees and bushes on drain banks.#
• Strimming or hand roding of weed-growth from the watercourse.

Construction Works

• Assist in groundworks at Pumping Stations and at other locations as required. These works may consist of installing foundations/revetment works, annual preventative maintenance works to the pumping station and other areas, to ensure the Board’s infrastructure is kept to an acceptable standard.
• Assist in installation of culverts, headwalls, inspection chambers etc. within the Board’s watercourses.

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 Works Manager
• Liaise with the Works Manager 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.
• Completion of online mapping systems, use of tablet.
• 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 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.
• Comply with all health and safety documents and procedures.

Other Requirements and Duties:

• Accurately log the condition of drains and structures, reporting any problems/damage (e.g. slips) to the Works Manager.
• Participation in the duty rota to ensure that 24/7 cover is provided during a flood event.
• 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 and understanding that the list of duties outline above is not exhaustive and is subject to change/periodic review.
• Ability to work as part of a team and as a lone worker.

Person Specification:

Qualifications-

Essential:

• Excavator – CITB Excavator trained or the equivalent.

Desirable:

• A CSCS card for site and construction work.
• Road & Street Works.
• Chain saw and/or Pole Saw.
• First Aid.
• Confined Space.

Experience-
Essential :

• Use of Excavator

Advantageous:

• Pipelaying and construction of inspection chambers and headwalls.
• Use of Tractor and mower/flailing attachments.
• Chain sawing or tree felling operations.
• Strimming and cutting operations.
• Work experience in the Construction or Water Industry.

Skills/Knowledge-

Essential:

• Must hold a full/valid UK driving licence and be prepared to travel across the district for the purpose of Board business.
• Must have excellent interpersonal and diplomacy skills 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 and be a hard worker.
• Must be able to read a map.
• Must have excellent timekeeping, be prompt and have positive outlook on the day.
• Use of Tablet & Mapping Systems

Advantageous:

• Be able to read and interpret scaled drawings and plans.
• Environmental and sustainable knowledge/awareness in watercourses and the surrounding areas.
• Experience with online mapping.
• Knowledge of South Holland IDB catchment.

Other Job Information (e.g. any special factors or constraints)

• You must be physically fit and be able to swim. You must be able to work, walk around and access watercourse and drainage catchments in all weather conditions.
• The post holder will be expected to be available 24/7 to provide cover in a flood event.
• All work performed/duties undertaken must be carried out in accordance with relevant Water Management Alliance, 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 and Water Management sectors can involve dealing with new and emerging legislation.
• A DBS check may be required.

For more information about the role or the WMA, please visit our website
www.wlma.org.uk
or contact Dave Sporton
on 07960710924
or daves@wlma.org.uk.

To apply, please send your CV and a brief covering letter to daves@wlma.org.uk.