Operations Support Officer

EMAP Publishing Limited; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire County Council in Preston is seeking an Operations Support Officer (General) to join the Waste Network team at Preston Transfer Station. The role is permanent, full-time (38 hours over four days, Monday to Thursday) with responsibilities across site operations and administration.

To succeed you must hold a LGV licence, be able to manually handle heavy items, interpret instructions and report information accurately, and commit to health and safety. Closing date 20 September 2026.

Qualifications

• Must be able to drive Light Goods Vehicles (e.g., Luton/Transit van).
• Must be able to manually handle heavy items.
• Must be able to interpret and implement pre-determined instructions and record/report information accurately.
• Commitment to health and safety.

Responsibilities

• Loading/unloading waste items and transporting them within the network or to disposal/processing facilities.
• Liaising with site staff and contractors.
• Collating, recording and reporting data related to operations.
• Covering operation of mobile/mechanical plant and duties of Mobile Plant Operator.
• Covering duties of Operations Support Officer (Network), including weighbridge, stores and reuse operations.
• Supporting Site Manager and waste service Supervisors in their roles.

Skills

LGV driving

Manual handling

Instruction interpretation

Health & safety

Job description

Salary £25,949-£25,989 Per annum Permanent, Full Time, 38 hours per week Waste Management

Salary £25,949-£25,989 Per annum Permanent, Full Time, 38 hours per week Waste Management

International Sponsorship - this role is not open to international sponsorship
Operations Support Officer 38 Hours per week over 4 days
Work Pattern Monday - Thursday
Location Preston Transfer Station
Staff Responsibility No
Qualifications

• The post holder will be required to demonstrate the capability to gain relevant certificates of basic competence for the delivery of site operations including, for example, the operation of mobile plant and equipment.
• Driving Licence

Essential Requirements

• The ability to drive Light Goods Vehicles such as Luton/Transit van.
• The ability to manually handle heavy items.
• The ability to interpret and implement pre-determined instructions and the ability to record and report information accurately.
• A commitment to health and safety.

Role Context

• The Operations Support Officer (General) will report directly to the Site Manager but may take day to day direction and instruction from the waste service Supervisor(s).
• The post holder will be able to demonstrate the ability to carry out a range of tasks associated with the general operation and administration of the council's waste network and be expected to follow a range of working procedures.
• Whilst based at Preston Transfer Station this role will provide officer support to all aspects of the network and its operations including transfer stations, HWRCs, the waste re-use network, the transport portal and the stores.
• One of the main elements of the role will be the movement of waste items around the network including, potentially, the handling of specialist or hazardous wastes in accordance with strict regulations.
• In addition the Operations Support Officer (General) will routinely cover the roles of Mobile Plant Operator (where sufficiently trained to do so) and Operations Support Officer (Network), including weighbridge, stores and reuse operations.

Typical Duties Will Include The Following

• The loading and unloading of waste items and the transportation of the items within the network; or outside of the network to relevant disposal/processing facilities.
• Liaison with site staff and contractors.
• Collating, recording and reporting of data and information in relation to operations.
• Covering the operation of mobile or mechanical plant and the duties associated with the Mobile Plant Operator.
• Covering the duties associated with role of Operations Support Officer (Network)
• Covering weighbridge operations and those duties associated with the role of Weighbridge Clerk.
• Supporting the Site Manager(s) and waste service Supervisor(s) in the delivery of aspects of their roles that are commensurate to the grade of the post.

Additional Requirements

• The post holder will be required to work on Bank Holidays.
• The post holder will be required to be trained in the operation of any mobile or mechanical plant associated with the role and operate that plant as a daily duty.
• The post holder will be required to undertake competency qualifications.
• The post holder will be required to drive a council van.
• The post holder may be required to work at other operational facilities within a reasonable distance of their specified base as required. In this event expenses will be paid for travel (where applicable) if the post holder provides their own transport. If not, the post holder may be required to take public transport during their normal working hours or transport may be arranged to transfer them to an alternative facility.

Other

Lancashire County Council as an equal opportunities employer intends that no job applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of their age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief unless this can be objectively justified.

Lancashire County Council has agreed a Code of Conduct and Statement of Ethical Standards that outline the behavioural and ethical standards that must be upheld by its employees and casual workers. If you are appointed, you will be required to accept these provisions on appointment.

You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability.

Closing date; 20th September 2026

Job Description/Person Specification Local Government Reorganisation

The Government has confirmed that local government across Lancashire will be reorganised, with the current 15 councils being replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire from April 2028.

If you are successful in your application, you will initially join Lancashire County Council. However, as part of the planned transition, your employment will transfer to one of the new unitary councils from April 2028, subject to the implementation of the reorganisation and relevant employment legislation.

Throughout this period, our focus remains on delivering excellent services to our communities. By joining us now, you'll play an important role in shaping the future of local government and helping to build a strong new organisation that will serve residents for years to come.