Christopher Thomas
Drainage Engineer
Leeds,UK
Summary
Dedicated and results-driven Operations Manager with extensive experience in the drainage sector. Proficient in overseeing the planning, execution, and optimization of drainage systems to ensure efficient water flow and minimize flooding risks.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
3
3
Certification
Work history
Drainage Engineer
IRM Group LTD
Ossett, West Yorkshire
2024.07 - Current
- Operate Jet Vac Recycling Equipment – Safely drive and operate a Jet Vac Recycler vehicle to remove blockages, debris, silt, and waste from drains, sewers, gullies, and interceptors.
- High-Pressure Water Jetting – Use high-pressure water systems to break down obstructions and clean pipework efficiently.
- Vacuum & Recycling Process – Extract waste material and recycle water on-site to reduce downtime and environmental impact.
- Site Safety & Compliance – Follow all health, safety, and environmental regulations, ensuring safe working practices for yourself, your team, and the public.
- Teamwork – Work closely with a second crew member or site team to complete jobs effectively and on schedule.
- Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance – Carry out daily checks, basic maintenance, and cleaning of the vehicle and machinery to ensure optimal performance.
- Record Keeping – Complete job sheets, service reports, and any required documentation accurately.
- Skills & Attributes:
- HGV Class 2 licence (with CPC)
- Experienced in drainage, waste water industry
- Strong awareness of health & safety
- I have ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions day & or night time.
- Good communication and teamwork skills
Operations Manager /Operations supervisor / Drainage engineer
Lanes group plc
Bradford
2019.03 - 2024.05
- As an Operations Manager in Drainage, my responsibilities included overseeing the planning, execution, and optimization of drainage systems to ensure efficient water flow and mitigate flooding risks. I lead a team in coordinating maintenance schedules and implementing improvements to enhance system performance. Additionally, I managed budgets, procured necessary equipment and materials, and liaised with stakeholders to address concerns and ensure regulatory compliance. My role requires strong project management expertise, and a commitment to delivering high-quality solutions to support community resilience and environmental sustainability.
- As a supervisor my role was to oversee the day to day safety of colleagues working on cityflex vehicles ensuring all vehicles were fit and ready audited to go out on site to work in a safe manner, ensuring the employees had up to date qualifications for the work they carried out and to inform them of tool box talks.
- As a class 2 driver my roles when Working on the Yorkshire water framework my roles varied from reactive blockages, root cuts to desilting sewers using recyclers and jet vacs.
- I have also had use of a push rod cctv with sonde and marking equipment to mark up for digs when it comes to damaged sewers too.
- Adhering to all health and safety aspects of the jobs my looking through method statements and signing risk assessments to ensure the safety on myself, other colleagues and members of the public.
Drainage operative
IWJS LTD
Bradford
2014.02 - 2019.03
- Whilst being a drainage engineer within this company I quickly passed my HGV class 2 licence and drove the recyclers and jet vacs to perform jobs for Yorkshire water framework such as desilts, root cuts, mitigation’s, tankering and many more reactive jobs.
- I had excellent customer service skills due to the nature of the job and always adhered to health and safety policies.
Confined space Operative / operations Supervisor
Celve environmental
Tenby
2009.06 - 2014.01
- As a confined space operative I worked within digester tanks, sludge tanks, aeration lanes, wet wells and many more assets belonging to sewage treatment works, we worked on behalf of Thames water, Severn Trent Water, southern water and Welsh water so staying away from home was a must.
- We performed tank cleanses with a vacuum tanker and manual labour so fitness was key as well as a very strong work ethic which I believe I showed great tenacity to do so.
- I was promoted to operations supervisor after 1 year where I would liaise with customers and clients on a daily basis to discuss work taking place, general health and safety rules to make sites safe and efficient with effective work completion for employees and colleagues.
Education
Gcse - grades B-D
Pembroke comprehensive school
Pembroke, UK 1996.09 - 7 2001
Skills
- Client support
- Customer service
- Team collaboration
- Integrity
- vehicle operation
Certification
- CSCS
- Driving Licence
Accomplishments
I have completed my site management safety training scheme (Smsts) certificate along with Iosh managing safely, Cscs gold card obtained with operational work supervision level 3, confined spaces medium risk & asbestos awareness. I have many more which need renewing which I am keen to update as soon as possible.
I am always looking to enhance my career by putting myself through as many courses that suit the needs of any business I am working in.
Additional information
- IOSH Managing Safely
- SMSTS- Site manager
- CSCS - Gold Card
- Confined space - medium risk
- EUSR water hygiene
- Calms network theory training
- CDM regulations
- Asbestos Awareness
Timeline
Drainage Engineer
IRM Group LTD
2024.07 - Current
Operations Manager /Operations supervisor / Drainage engineer
Lanes group plc
2019.03 - 2024.05
Drainage operative
IWJS LTD
2014.02 - 2019.03
Confined space Operative / operations Supervisor
Celve environmental
2009.06 - 2014.01
Gcse - grades B-D
Pembroke comprehensive school
1996.09 - 7 2001