HGV Driver - Refuse Vehicle (Blyth)

Northumberland County Council Jobs; Cowpen; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave plus public/holid

Local Government Pension Scheme

4 day working week

Job summary

Northumberland County Council is seeking an HGV Driver - Refuse Vehicle to support waste and recycling services from Cowley Road Depot, Blyth. This permanent, full-time role operates on a four-day week starting February 2027 and requires safe driving, vehicle maintenance, and leadership of a small team.

You will drive a large fleet, use in-cab technology, and engage with customers to maintain clean streets and high service standards.

Qualifications

• A class 2 HGV Licence with no historical driving convictions.
• Experience driving large heavy goods vehicles across urban and rural routes.
• Willingness to learn in-cab technology; full training provided.

Responsibilities

• Drive our refuse/recycling fleet to schedule and safety standards.
• Maintain the vehicle and equipment, and manage in-vehicle tech usage daily.
• Lead a small Refuse Collection team and ensure high service levels.
• Ensure streets and properties are kept clean and safe with good customer service.

Skills

Class 2 HGV Licence

Experience driving large HGVs

In-cab technology experience

Job description

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.

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

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For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes here .

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, please see the alternative methods below. 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 .

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

• Job Category Environmental Services / Waste / Recycling/ Parks
• Directorate Place and Regeneration
• Location Cowley Road Depot, Blyth, United Kingdom