We are looking for self-motivated and customer-focused individuals to join our team of dedicated Network Operatives in our Folkestone area.

The Role:

An experienced Mains & Services Operative is required to join a small team operating from our offices in Folkestone. The person should have experience in repair and maintenance of both mains and service pipes and preferably be qualified to at least NVQ Level 2 or equivalent. You should also hold a current Street works qualification, as required by the New Roads and Street Works Act. It is essential that the candidate is dedicated to providing a high level of service to our customers, self motivated and able to work with different partners as part of a two person team. A driving licence is essential, ideally clean and the ability to use other construction equipment such as a mini digger would also be beneficial.

What you'll be doing:

• Ensure efficient maintenance and repairs of the Network, providing 24/7 wholesome drinking water to our customers

• Ensure our customers are kept fully informed of any works that affect them

• Ensure that all legal, regulatory and Health & Safety obligations are met

• Undertake emergency response activities, including out-of-hours standby and call-outs

• Comply with the New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA), traffic management requirements and permit conditions

• Accurately record risk assessments and work completed using mobile devices and work management systems

• Work collaboratively with planners, technicians, supervisors and contractors.

• Support colleagues during major incidents and emergency repairs.

• Share knowledge and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

What you’ll need:

• Work Safely in compliance with company standards, legislation and industry best practice.

• Demonstrates competence in excavation safety, utility avoidance and traffic management.

• Maintains high standards of housekeeping and site safety

• Understands the importance of protecting drinking water quality

• Works effectively within operational teams and across departments

• Represents the organisation positively while working in the community

• Communicates clearly and professionally with both customers and stakeholders

• Full clean/manual - UK driving licence.

If your background is in site-based construction or labour based roles, you’ll have great transferable skills and can learn ‘on the job’ via our experienced Network teams.

This role requires participation in a 1 in 6 stand-by rotation

Closing date: 31/08/2026

Benefits:

Salary: £36,527 - £45,990 (Dependent on skills & experience)

Stand-by: 1 in 6 = £7,055 + Standby Allowance £1083.58

Total: £45,990

• Competitive salary dependant on skills and experience

• Learning and development opportunities, including mentoring and a range of formal courses and open learning resources.

• Entry into the company annual bonus scheme.

• Annual leave from 23-27 rising with length of service, and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days.

• A ‘Celebration Day’ in addition to public holidays that people can use to celebrate a religious festival or other occasion that is important to them.

• A generous 'double match pension scheme' that doubles the contributions you make (company contribution capped at 12%)

• We offer a range of family benefits including enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support Leave and up to 5 full or 10 half days of paid Carers Leave.

• Menopause policy and Reasonable Adjustment policy to help everyone perform at their best.

• Access to our Wellbeing Centre with support for looking after your physical and mental health.

• Discounts at a Range of Retail Outlets through our Tap4Perks scheme

• Discounts on Dental and Medical Insurance through our Tap4Perks scheme through salary sacrifice

• Up to 4 Affinity days a year to volunteer in the community.

• Life Assurance.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to offering interviews to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria and opt in on the application form. Ask the Talent Acquisition lead for the full job description to see all the criteria. If we have a very high volume of applicants and we’re not able to offer interviews to all, we’ll take a fair and proportionate number of disabled candidates through.

Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.

You can find out what it’s like to work at Affinity Water through our career site https://www.affinitywatercareers.co.uk/ where our colleagues share their career development stories and you can get a feel for our company culture.