HGV Driver - Refuse Vehicle (Blyth)

Northumberland County Council; Cowpen; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

4 day working week

Job summary

Northumberland County Council invites applications for a permanent HGV Driver (Refuse Vehicle) to support Neighbourhood Services. The role covers refuse and recycling collection, with a focus on safety, efficiency and customer service.

The job operates on a 4‑day week and starts in February 2027, offering stable hours and a pension scheme. You will drive a large fleet, use in-cab technology, supervise staff, and ensure high service standards across streets, homes and businesses.

Qualifications

• Class 2 HGV Licence held and proven experience driving large heavy goods vehicles.
• Comfortable driving in urban and rural locations.
• Experience with in-cab technology is desirable but training will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Drive refuse and recycling collection vehicles to schedule and standards.
• Oversee loading of refuse and supervise a team of collection staff.
• Maintain vehicles and allocate tools and equipment responsibly.

Skills

HGV driving

In-cab technology

Team supervision

Education

Class 2 HGV Licence

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Cowley Road Depot, Blyth

Environmental Services / Waste / Recycling/ Parks

Region / Division:

UK Region

Directorate:

Place and Regeneration

Job information

Northumberland County Council’s (NCC) vision is ‘Land of Great Opportunities’, for current and future generations. We believe there is no better place to live and work.

Neighbourhood Services are responsible for a number of key council services including waste and recycling, environmental enforcement, street cleansing and grounds maintenance, bereavement services, fleet services and countryside services. These are high profile services that make a significant contribution to the delivery of our corporate plan.

As a HGV Driver - Refuse Vehicle, you will contribute to the delivery of a safe, efficient, and high‑quality refuse collection and recycling service. The role ensures waste is collected in line with agreed schedules, service standards, and health and safety requirements, supporting the cleanliness and wellbeing of the community.

This is a permanent, full-time position over a 4 day working week.

Please note, this role is due to commence in February 2027.

What you'll be doing:

• Driving our large fleet of refuse and recycling collection vehicles, alongside our brand-new fleet of state-of-the-art food waste collection vehicles. Each vehicle comes equipped with an in-cab tablet and you will be using the technology daily as part of your role.
• Take overall responsibility for the careful use and maintenance of the vehicle and allocated tools and equipment.
• Loading refuse and be responsible for a small team of professional, dedicated and friendly team of Refuse Collection staff.
• Overseeing the provision of efficient and effective refuse and recycling collection services and ensure that streets, homes and businesses are kept clean, safe and tidy, whilst providing the very best levels of customer service to all members of the community that we serve.

What you'll bring:

• A class 2 HGV Licence and have experience of driving large heavy goods vehicles (with no historical driving convictions).
• Confidence driving in a variety of urban and rural locations
• Previous experience of in-cab technology is desirable but full training will be given.
• Hardworking, physically fit and healthy
• Have the strength, dexterity and co-ordination to manoeuvre bins and operate hydraulics and the specialist skills associated with the operation of hydraulic equipment.

For further information about this vacancy, please contact Tony Gribbin (Neighbourhood Services Area Manager) via email; tony.gribbin @northumberland.gov.uk

Why choose us?

We have some outstanding benefits and perks to offer you, including:

• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• 4 day working week

Stay connected with us on social media to keep up to date with Northumberland County Council’s latest job opportunities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, this information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.

For further information about working for NCC, please visit our website here .

Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.

Additionally, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.

For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930