Invasive Weeds Site Supervisor (360 Operator) – Japanese Knotweed Excavation

Invasive Weeds Site Supervisor (360 Operator) — Japanese Knotweed Excavation
Fetcham, Surrey (KT22) — sites across London, the South East and further afield
£42,000 – £49,000 · Company van and fuel card · £50 per night away plus meals · Paid overtime

You will run our invasive weed excavation works on the ground. That means physically digging out Japanese knotweed, bamboo and other invasive species — by hand and on a 360 excavator — and supervising a working gang of one to three agency operatives on each job.

This is a hands-on supervisor’s post, not a clipboard job. You will be in the excavation.

Our work takes us across the country. Most weeks you will be within reach of home. Some weeks you will be away, and we pay £50 a night plus your meals when you are.

Job description

Key responsibilities

• Site set-up and control. Set up and run dig-out sites from first arrival to final reinstatement — site set-up, exclusion zones, welfare, plant positioning.
• Plant operation. Operate a 360 excavator, typically 3 to 8 tonnes, and work manually alongside the gang.
• Supervision. Brief, direct and check the work of one to three agency operatives daily. Hold and record the toolbox talk.
• Remediation works. Install root barrier and membrane, backfill and reinstate to specification.
• Contamination control. Control the clean and dirty line so contaminated material is properly segregated. This is the single point on which most dig-outs fail.
• Waste duty of care. Manage arisings as controlled waste — correct classification, loading, and waste transfer or consignment paperwork completed on site, under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
• Health and safety. Work to the RAMS and COSHH assessment for each job, and stop the job if site conditions do not match them. Carry out underground service checks before breaking ground in line with HSG47.
• Plant checks. Complete daily plant checks under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, including quick-hitch checks, and pre-use lifting checks where lifting operations apply.
• Evidence. Photograph and record the works to evidence the treatment plan and support the GCG guarantee.
• Client contact. Deal with the client or site contact on the day, professionally, without committing GCG to anything on price or scope.

Person specification

Essential

• Proven excavation experience and the ability to work at a physical pace in all weathers
• CPCS or NPORS 360 excavator below 10 tonnes
• CSCS card
• Full clean UK driving licence
• Experience supervising or leading a small gang, including agency labour
• Willingness to travel and to stay away when a job needs it
• The judgement to spot when a job has changed on site, and to phone it in rather than press on

Desirable

• CPCS or NPORS above 10 tonnes, and forward-tipping dumper
• SSSTS or SMSTS
• PA1 and PA6 spraying certificates
• Knowledge of Japanese knotweed, bamboo and other invasive species, and the obligations under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
• First Aid at Work
• Experience of sites run under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015

Provided and funded by GCG

• SSSTS or SMSTS, funded, within the first three months where not already held
• PA1 and PA6 spraying certificates
• Invasive species identification and GCG treatment methodology

Benefits

• Your birthday off
• Company Pension Scheme
• Referral Scheme
• Internal incentives and voucher scheme

The Grounds Care Group (UK) Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. All appointments are subject to a right to work check, an enhanced DBS check where the role requires it, and satisfactory references. We verify the information given in applications against publicly available sources.

Shortlisted candidates complete a written exercise as part of the selection process. Please tell us when you apply if you would need any adjustment to take part.