General Operative, Construction

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.