Drainage engineer job responsibilities

By taking on one of our drainage engineer jobs, you will be required to work flexibly and responsively on both pre-planned and reactive emergency drainage projects, assessing and solving problems as and when they arise.

Sometimes, jobs will involve a simple inspection and basic maintenance work; at other times, they will require drainage engineers to clear blockages using techniques such as high-pressure water jetting or jet vacuuming, or to perform repairs via drain relining. The varied requirements of the job mean that drainage engineers will need to be knowledgeable and capable of appraising a situation, recommending a solution and delivering it with the minimum of fuss.

As such, those applying for drainage engineer jobs or drainage assistant jobs are relied upon to work flexibly with a range of different methods and equipment, while keeping up the high standard of customer service for which Lanes Group is known. Variable working patterns are also a requirement of this role, so staff should be prepared for early starts and late finishes to support our 24/7 service model, and to take part in an out-of-hours callout rota.

However, prior drainage experience is not an essential prerequisite of a successful Lanes career, as we will provide capable candidates with ample training opportunities to build up the skills they need to succeed.

Salary and working conditions

The size and scope of our organisation here at Lanes Group allows us to accommodate a wide variety of shift patterns in our drainage engineer jobs, with pay rates scaling according to experience levels, and opportunities for overtime work available. Wherever you’re based in the UK, you’ll receive a competitive salary, with the prospect of earning more as you develop your skills and experience.

Moreover, becoming a member of the Lanes family comes with a number of benefits designed to provide employees with the support and stability to build an enriching career with us. All of our staff receive regular training to help them develop their skills, including a City & Guilds-accredited Drainage Engineer Course - developed in-house at Lanes - that delivers up-to-the-minute training on drainage theory, legislation and professional safety standards, and is delivered by highly qualified industry experts.

Additionally, workers are given access to an optional company-wide health scheme, a workplace pension and childcare vouchers, as well as full corporate uniforms and free car parking available across 80% of our network of depots and offices. Those in full-time positions will also receive 20 days of paid holiday each year.

Skills, qualifications and experience

Although Lanes Group prides itself on having a highly skilled workforce, we also believe in opening up our drainage engineer job opportunities to candidates with transferable skills and strong potential, even if they have relatively little previous experience in the field of drainage.

The essential requirement for a drainage engineer job is a full UK driving licence with no more than three penalty points, with some vacancies requiring a full HGV Class 1 or 2 licence, plus a completed certificate of professional competence (CPC). The ideal candidate will also have certified experience in the use of high-pressure jetting equipment, a New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) training qualification, an updated Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, and an understanding of how to work in confined spaces.

However, a lack of prior work in the field of wastewater and drainage should not put you off, as training and equipment will be provided to give every engineer the tools, competency and confidence to carry out their work to a high standard. 

Those applying for drainage assistant jobs will receive additional on-the-job support, as they will mostly be working with a more senior staff member as part of a two-person team.

Gender is no barrier to a long and successful career at Lanes, and we employ a large number of women in the field of engineering. Discover the work we do with female engineers here at Lanes.

Future prospects

Joining the Lanes team means more than just a one-off gig. We pride ourselves on offering career opportunities and job security to our staff, with long-term training pathways paid for by the company to help those in drainage engineer jobs to build their skills and advance their professional standing, with the support of experienced engineering mentors.

The flexibility and support we provide for our workforce are made possible by our ongoing commitment to our growth and evolution, which means that no two days are ever the same at Lanes. As the UK’s largest privately owned specialist drainage contractor, we employ more than 2,200 people across our 25 regional offices and utility hubs throughout England, Scotland and Wales, so staff can work as far afield - or as close to home - as they want, without having to leave the Lanes family.