Ashford Winter Gritter Driver - Kent Highways
Location: Various depots across Kent
Contract: Seasonal - 1 October to 1 April
Standby Payment: £175 on paid standby weeks
Call-Out Rate: £20.00 per hour
Role: HGV Class 2 Winter Gritter Driver
The Opportunity
Supreme Recruitment is recruiting HGV Class 2 Drivers to support the winter highways operation across Kent from 1 October through to 1 April.
You will form part of the winter maintenance team responsible for helping to keep Kent's roads safe and operational during periods of cold weather, frost, ice and snow.
This is a standby and call-out position, operating on a rotating basis throughout the winter season.
How the Standby Rota Works
The rota operates across a four-week cycle, with two weeks out of every four being paid standby weeks.
Week 1 - Paid Standby
You will receive a guaranteed £175 standby payment, regardless of whether you are called out to work.
If you are called out for gritting or snow operations, you will also be paid:
£20.00 per hour for all hours worked.
So, even if the weather is mild and you are not called out at all, you will still receive your £175 standby payment for that week.
Week 2 - Non-Standby Week
There are no guaranteed hours or standby payment during this week.
The rota then continues so that, over each four-week period, you will have:
2 paid standby weeks - £175 guaranteed per week
2 non-standby weeks - no guaranteed payment
This means that two weeks out of every four you are guaranteed to be paid, whether you are called out or not.
During your paid standby weeks, any actual call-outs are paid at £20.00 per hour in addition to your £175 standby payment.
What You'll Be Doing
As a Winter Gritter Driver, your duties may include:
Driving an HGV gritting vehicle on designated routes across Kent
Spreading salt and grit to prevent ice forming on the highway network
Responding to winter weather call-outs, including frost, ice and snow
Completing vehicle and safety checks before deployment
Following predetermined gritting routes and operational instructions
Working closely with the depot and highways operations team
Completing required vehicle and operational documentation
Maintaining high standards of road and public safetyWhat We're Looking For
You will need:
A valid HGV Class 2 (Category C) licence
Valid Driver CPC
Valid Digital Tachograph Card
A reliable and flexible approach
The ability to respond to agreed winter call-outs
Confidence driving in difficult winter conditions
Good communication skills and a safety-first approachPrevious gritting or highways experience would be beneficial, although drivers with the right HGV experience and attitude are encouraged to apply.
Contract Period
The winter operation runs from:
1 October to 1 April
As winter maintenance is weather dependent, the amount of actual driving will vary considerably.
Some standby weeks may involve no call-outs at all, while periods of frost, ice or snow could result in significantly more working hours.
The key benefit is that on your designated paid standby weeks, your £175 payment is guaranteed even if you do not work a single hour.
Pay at a Glance
Paid Standby Week: £175 guaranteed
Call-Out Rate: £20.00 per hour for hours worked
Non-Standby Week: No guaranteed hours or payment
Paid Standby: 2 weeks out of every 4
Season: 1 October - 1 April
This could be particularly suitable for an experienced Class 2 driver looking for additional winter income alongside other work, while being part of an essential service keeping Kent's roads moving safely.
Benefits:
Free parking
On-site parking
Work Location: In person
