Drainage Technical Specialist at Lanes Group in Southampton, Hampshire

Drainage Technical Specialist

Location: Southampton, Hampshire

Technical Specialist

At Lanes Group, nothing is more important than the health, safety and wellbeing of our people, our customers and the communities we serve. As one of the UK's leading infrastructure delivery partners, we employ around 5,000 talented people across a nationwide network of depots and operational locations, delivering annual revenues in excess of £650 million.

We provide essential infrastructure, drainage, wastewater and utility services to many of the UK's leading organisations, including a significant number of FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies. Our success is built on the expertise of our people, our commitment to doing things safely and professionally, and our focus on delivering outstanding service every day.

Strong leadership being at our heart, supporting our people ensuring they are engaged with purpose, rewarded and recognised whilst delivering absolute exacting operational excellence being a leading entity and enviable delivery team embracing quality and compliance in our overarching delivery, one of our fundamental key differentiators.

In this critical role of ensuring our organisation is known for being the best in everything we do, known for leaving a legacy of absolute quality and compliance and keeping our promises at all times is our absolute mantra.

We operate 24/7 and as such you are required to work flexible hours, weekends and participate in an on-call rota. Full training / PPE / use of company equipment will be provided to ensure that all our staff have the right tools, competency, and confidence to undertake the work to Lanes’ high standard of operation regardless of background or previous experience.

The Technical Specialist is responsible for analysing and providing solutions to complex drainage issues, offering technical support to operatives, and liaising with other departments and clients. This role also involves supervising work processes, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, and supporting operatives in their day-to-day duties. The Technical Specialist will oversee pollution tracing, enabling works, auditing, and competency checks, ensuring that all activities are carried out to the highest standards.

Position: Technical Specialist

Location: Millbrook (Hampshire); travelling around the area to various sites

Job Type: permanent, full-time

Hours: Monday to Friday, 45 hours, plus participation in the on-call rota

Salary: competitive, depending upon experience

Benefits: 21 days holiday (plus bank holidays); health cash plan; onsite parking; auto enrolment pension scheme.

STRICTLY NO AGENCIES PLEASE

About the Role:

Due to continued growth and development, we are now looking for customer focused people to join us in our Utility Division, working on our Southern Water contract service to deliver real and effective solutions to waste-water network and drainage problems.

Technical Support and Issue Resolution
• Provide expert technical advice and support for drainage systems, resolving complex drainage-related issues.
• Advise operatives on all aspects of their day-to-day duties, offering practical and technical solutions to challenges encountered during work activities.
• Ensure effective diagnosis and resolution of drainage problems, working closely with internal teams to implement solutions.

Liaison and Coordination
• Liaise with the client’s operational team, ensuring smooth communication and the successful execution of drainage tasks.
• Work with planners and schedulers to ensure proper coordination of resources, tasks, and project timelines.
• Collaborate with internal teams, ensuring the timely resolution of drainage-related issues and alignment with project objectives.

Health, Safety, and Compliance
• Ensure that all work activities are carried out in full compliance with health and safety regulations, including conducting regular safety checks, risk assessments, and ensuring safe working practices are followed at all times.
• Perform pollution tracing to identify potential environmental risks and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Conduct audits and compliance checks, ensuring all drainage work meets industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Supervision of Work Processes
• Supervise and monitor drainage-related work processes, ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently and to the highest quality standards.
• Guide operatives on-site, ensuring they have the right equipment, materials, and technical guidance to complete their tasks.
• Ensure that all operatives follow proper procedures and work in a safe, compliant manner.

Competency Checks and Staff Development
• Assess the competency of new starters, ensuring they meet the necessary technical skills and knowledge before commencing work on drainage tasks.
• Provide continuous support and training to operatives, ensuring they are kept up to date with the latest techniques, regulations, and best practices.
• Conduct performance reviews for operatives, providing constructive feedback and identifying areas for improvement.

Pollution Tracing and Environmental Management
• Lead efforts in pollution tracing to identify sources of contamination and mitigate environmental impact.
• Collaborate with environmental teams to ensure drainage activities align with environmental best practices and regulatory guidelines.
• Oversee enabling works for drainage projects, ensuring preparatory tasks are completed in compliance with safety and environmental standards.

Reporting and Documentation
• Maintain detailed records of technical assessments, pollution tracing, compliance checks, and work performed.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports for clients and internal teams, offering insights, recommendations, and updates on drainage work.
• Ensure all technical documentation is completed accurately, in line with company procedures and industry standards.

Continuous Improvement and Best Practices
• Keep up to date with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in the drainage and construction industry.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of processes, offering suggestions to enhance efficiency, safety, and compliance.
• Share technical knowledge with other teams, ensuring the development of best practices across the organisation.
• Be aware of all Lanes Group policies and your responsibilities towards them.

So if you enjoy working outdoors and delivering only the best in customer service, where no two days are the same and want to join a growing company that not only values you and your ability - but also strives to develop your potential and further your career progression, then we are the right Company for you.

What is essential is the ability to work safely to quickly diagnose and deliver practical and efficient solutions to attain the highest levels of customer satisfaction.

About You:

The ideal candidate will have operational expertise (including budgeting and forecasting). Having strong negotiation, relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills in crucial to this role. Strategic thinking and result-driven with a data driven approach to decision making, focusing on achieving targets is important as is effective organisation skills and the ability to multitask and prioritise your workload. Being proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and strong attention to detail is imperative. Adaptability and flexibility is key.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Industry accreditations are required
  
• A full UK drivers licence

At Lanes Group, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We believe that our differences make us stronger and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. Join us in our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse world.

Lanes Group are a signatory of the 'Charter for Employer Positive About Mental Health' run by Mindful Employer.