Recycling Attendant

Ards and North Down Borough Council; Newtownards; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

A local government council in Northern Ireland is seeking a Recycling Attendant to manage operations at Household Recycling Centres. The role requires good communication, teamwork, and compliance with waste management policies. Candidates should have experience in manual outdoor work and customer service. This position offers competitive benefits including local government pension scheme and 35 days annual leave.

Benefits

35 days annual leave including bank holidays

Northern Ireland Local Government Pension Scheme

Health benefits including Healthcare Scheme

Time Off in Lieu (TOIL)

Qualifications

• At least one year’s experience in outdoor manual work in all weather conditions.
• Experience dealing with contractors and/or customers.
• One year’s experience of operating electrical/mechanical equipment.

Responsibilities

• Open, close, and control access to Household Recycling Centres.
• Ensure cleanliness and proper waste storage on site.
• Advise and direct public on waste segregation.

Skills

Good communication skills

Ability to work on own initiative

Understanding and appreciation of customer needs

Teamwork

Education

Relevant qualification in waste management

GCSE in English and Mathematics (grade C or above)

Health and Safety related qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office packages

Electronic devices (mobile phones or tablets)

Job description

Recycling Attendant

Job ref: ST 12882

Job type: Various

Location: Various Locations

Salary: Scale 3, SCP 6 - 7 - £25,989 to £26,403 per annum

Quantity of Posts Available: 4

Closing date: Thursday 20 Nov 2025 16:00

Job Summary:
The post holder will be primarily based at one of the Councils 9 Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) but may be required to work at any of the other HRCs on occasion to meet the needs of the service. The post holder will be responsible to the HRC Supervisor for the day‑to‑day operation of the Councils HRCs.
To undertake all duties associated with the operation of the Household Recycling Centre/Amenity Site to ensure that all domestic and commercial waste is disposed of in accordance with the Council’s policy for recycling whilst providing the highest level of customer care at all times. The Household Recycling Centres are licensed Waste Management facilities and must operate in accordance with licensing conditions stipulated by DAERA (NIEA) including being manned at all times whilst open. The post holder will be required to work unsupervised and must demonstrate good customer care with site users. The postholder is required as key‑holder to open and close the site.

• There are a number of part‑time permanent positions available in various recycling centres throughout the Borough. In addition, casual hours are available with no contracted hours, working on an ‘as and when required basis’. A list of vacancies and working patterns is available on the job description.

• Applicants must be available to work outside normal working hours or to work at other sites within the Borough if required.

• Appointment will be subject to satisfactory completion of a medical questionnaire including a pre‑employment Drugs and Alcohol Screening.

• A reserve list may be kept from this recruitment exercise for other full and part‑time vacancies.

• All correspondence in relation to the job vacancy will be completed by email and phone. Therefore, it is important that applicants ensure a valid e‑mail address and mobile number are provided and entered accurately when filling out the application form.

• Applicants should ensure they check their emails including junk folders regularly.

• Please note that the Casual rate of pay is single point SCP 6 - £13.88 per hour.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To open, close, secure, work in and control access to the Household Recycling Centres at appropriate times as instructed by the Supervisor/Manager.
2. To ensure that the site (including staff buildings) is kept clean and tidy and that all waste is stored in an appropriate manner. Ensuring sufficient stock of cleaning materials and equipment are on site, by reporting to Supervisor.
3. To use plant and equipment including but not limited to the compactor, woodroller, cardboard bailer which are provided at the site to control, process or handle waste. This includes general maintenance of equipment (for example Health and safety inspections and reporting of defects) and ensuring supplies for equipment are available, by reporting to Supervisor.
4. To ensure all buildings within the site and the perimeter of the site, including associated footpaths are kept clean and tidy, and partake in all cleansing schedules for the site.
5. To ensure all relevant data (both digital and non‑digital) is captured and stored in line with Council policies in either paper or digital form eg on a electronic device such as a hand held or desk based computer/Mobile/Tablet, site licence and Council procedures. This includes commercial vehicle control data, Waste Transfer Notes and Consignment Notes.
6. To advise, assist and direct members of the public where and how to segregate and deposit waste including hazardous material for example oils, batteries, paints and florescent tubes in compliance with the site rules.
7. To ensure the segregation of waste including defined hazardous waste is properly handled and stored. Ensuring that only appropriate waste is accepted at the site in accordance with its Waste Management License and Operational plan.
8. To control the flow of traffic within the site particularly at times of high usage. Ensuring one way systems are adhered to, where applicable, to minimise the risk of vehicle (both Council and approved private contractor) accidents and for injuries to pedestrians on site. To assist drivers of collection vehicles while on site and ensure that the site users are kept at a safe distance by erection of temporary barriers.
9. To ensure that the filling and emptying of containers is managed efficiently at all times and especially at busy times to prevent site closure by contacting contractors’/ council collection by using communication equipment.
10. To record the tonnages of the various types of waste removed from the site (where appropriate).
11. To ensure that work activities at the site are carried out in compliance with health and safety legislation, the Councils EMS (ISO 14001), Safe Systems of Work and site licensing conditions.
12. To liaise with external bodies during site inspections.
13. As the Recycling Centres also serve as Designated Collection Facilities (DCF’s) for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), ensure redundant electrical items are separated.
14. To distribute salt and/or grit within the site and around the entrance and exit during periods of frost, ice or snow.
15. To immediately report and record any accidents, incidents, near misses, complaints, comments, breakdowns, non‑permitted waste or damage at the site to the Supervisor. Maintaining site diary in accordance with Waste Management Licencing requirements.
16. To ensure that unauthorised persons are not on‑site, policing illegal use of HRCs by commercial users. To ensure that commercial users present the appropriate paperwork in accordance with legislation.
17. To undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the Council.
18. To comply with and ensure the site users comply with and promote equality, health and safety in accordance with Council Policies and legal requirement.
19. To assist with projects/initiatives from time to time in line with Recycling/Reuse promotions including surveys and competitions.
20. To undertake any other appropriate duties as may be allocated from time to time in accordance with the general nature of the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Recycling Attendant

The person specification provides information on the qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills required to carry out the duties of the post.

The essential criteria will be used for shortlisting and as part of the selection process.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential:

• A relevant qualification in waste management
• GCSE in English and Mathematics (grade C or above) or equivalent

Desirable:

• A Health and Safety related qualification

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• At least one year’s experience in paid employment of outdoor manual work in all weather conditions
• At least one year’s experience in paid employment dealing with contractors and/or customers
• Experience in the use of Microsoft Office packages
• Experience in the operations of electronic devices such as mobile phones or tablets
• One year’s experience of operating electrical/mechanical equipment or plant in a work environment

Desirable:

• At least two years’ experience in paid employment of outdoor manual work in all weather conditions
• At least two years’ experience in paid employment dealing with contractors and/or customers
• Experience working within a waste and/or recycling environment
• Experience of completing record sheets and recording incidents in the workplace
• Experience of keeping computerised records
• Experience of Health and Safety practices associated with carrying out waste disposal and recycling activities

KEY SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential:

• Good communication skills
• Understanding and appreciation of the needs of customers
• To be a good team worker
• Ability to work on own initiative

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Essential:

• Applicants must be available to work outside normal working hours or to work at other sites within the Borough if required
• Appointment will be subject to satisfactory completion of a medical questionnaire including a pre‑employment Drugs and Alcohol Screening

Benefits

• 35 days of annual leave (including bank/public holidays), rising to 38 days after five years of service, and 41 days after 10 years of service (pro rata).
• Northern Ireland Local Government Pension Scheme (Council contributes 19% of salary).
• Health benefits: Westfield Healthcare Scheme; Leisure Centre Membership; Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Time Off in Lieu (TOIL).
• Education / qualifications support after qualifying period
• Plus much more…