dedicated Waste and Recycling Operative

New Forest District Council; Hardley; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to £26,869

23 days leave + BH

LGPS + AVCs

Employee assistance

Discount scheme

Cycle to work

LEAF values

Learning & development

Inclusive culture

Job summary

New Forest District Council is recruiting a Waste and Recycling Operative to join the team at Hardley. We are expanding our waste services and seek dedicated staff to help deliver this vital public service in the local community.

Two permanent, full-time positions are available. The role offers a salary up to £26,869 per annum, with benefits including the LGPS, generous leave, and a supportive, LEAF-values driven workplace.

Job description

Waste and Recycling Operative - Hardley x 2 positions

Company: New Forest District Council

Salary: Up to a maximum of £26,869 per annum including bank holiday payments

Hours: Full-time

Location: SO45 3AE

Working pattern: Field-based

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 6 Oct 2026

Closing date: 16 Oct 2026

Summary

Join Our Growing Waste & Recycling Team

We're expanding our waste services and looking a dedicated Waste and Recycling Operative to help us deliver this vital service to our communities. If you're passionate about the environment and want to be part of a transformative moment in local waste collection, we'd love to hear from you!

What's in it for you:

• Up to a maximum of £26,869 per annum including bank holiday payments
• 23 days plus bank holidays, rising by an additional week's leave after 5 years of continuous local authority service
• Local Government Pension Scheme, with the option of Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)
• Employee Assistance Programme offering free 24/7 legal, financial, and personal wellbeing advice
• Employee discount scheme with savings across major supermarkets, retailers, restaurants, and leisure providers
• Cycle to Work Scheme, helping you save around 40 percent on bikes and accessories
• A values-led organisation, guided by our LEAF values (Learning, Empathy, Ambition, Fairness)
• Access to learning and development opportunities to support your growth
• A supportive, inclusive culture, where everyone is welcomed and valued

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and offer a range of active staff networks, including:

• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Group
• LGBTQ+ Network
• Women's Network
• Early Careers Network
• Neurodiversity Network

About us

At NFDC we recognise that every colleague - whether in operational, frontline, or office-based roles - plays a vital part in delivering high-quality services to our communities. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where people feel valued for the work they do and the strengths they bring.

We aim to foster a culture where people feel confident to share ideas, contribute their expertise, and develop through meaningful conversations with their managers and supported learning opportunities. Whilst we have our corporate values, LEAF Learning Empathy Ambition Fairness, we understand that different teams work in different ways, and we want our values to be lived in ways that make sense locally while staying true to our shared purpose as an organisation.

We want colleagues to thrive, which is why we promote wellbeing, balance, and opportunities for learning and progression. Our values guide how we work together and how we support each other to be confident, capable, and adaptable.

Click here to see why employees think that New Forest District Council is a great place to work: Working for NFDC

Please note: You'll likely be aware that as part of the ongoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), the current organisation will transition into a new operating structure from 1 April 2028. It is important that applicants understand how this may affect their employment should they be successful. You will find attached a useful LGR update sheet at top of this advert.

If you're interested

Please see the candidate booklet for more information about working at the Council and the job description.

If you are passionate about making a difference, committed to delivering excellent public services, and looking for a place where you can develop and continue to grow, we would be delighted to receive your application.

For an informal chat about the role please contact Dave Wheeler-Osman (Waste and Recycling Senior Supervisor) on 023 8028 5408 or Ian Bliss (Waste and Recycling Supervisor) on 023 8028 5886

We understand that some applicants may choose to use AI tools to assist with completing their application. Please bear in mind it's important that your application remains an accurate and honest reflection of your own skills, experience, and achievements. Please ensure that any content generated or supported by AI truly represents you and your capabilities, as this will form the basis of our assessment throughout the recruitment process.

Closing Date:

11pm Friday 16th October 2026

Interview Date:

Wednesday 28th October 2026