Refuse Driver

Local Government South East; Reading; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Life Assurance – three times salary

On-site day nursery

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice

Job summary

Reading Borough Council is seeking an experienced HGV driver for domestic/trade refuse collection in Reading. This full-time, permanent role requires 37 hours weekly with early start times and a 30-minute unpaid break.

You will drive, maintain, and inspect the refuse vehicle, tip waste safely, and lead a collection crew while delivering excellent customer service. You must hold a clean Class 2 (C) HGV licence and CPC card, with significant residential manoeuvring experience and a flexible,

Qualifications

• Must hold a clean Class 2 (C) HGV licence and CPC card.
• Significant experience manoeuvring HGV in residential environments.
• Able to work in all weather conditions and physically capable.

Responsibilities

• Drive and maintain the refuse vehicle; wash down as needed.
• Inspect vehicle and report defects.
• Safely tip refuse at disposal sites.
• Act as chargehand for allocated refuse collection crew.
• Provide excellent customer care and comply with safety procedures.
• Assist with refuse loading when required.

Skills

HGV manoeuvring

Customer care

Health & safety awareness

Education

Class 2 (C) HGV License

CPC card

Job description

• £34,811 to £37,563 Per year + 5% Shift Allowance = £36,551 to £39,441 Per year £ / Year
• Closes: 28 October 2026

• Full Time
• Permanent
• Reading
• Posted 3 days ago
• £34,811 to £37,563 Per year + 5% Shift Allowance = £36,551 to £39,441 Per year £ / Year
• Closes: 28 October 2026

Website Reading Borough Council

At Reading Borough Council we’re committed to providing a high quality effective and efficient waste collection service. We carry out a full range of domestic, recycling and commercial waste collection services to a high standard, always with an eye to reducing landfill and maximising recycling.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About The Role

We’re looking for an experienced driver to remove domestic/trade refuse from houses, shops, schools and other domestic or commercial establishments.

Staff are required to work 37 hours per week, 7.4 hours per working day. The standard working day will be between 06:00am until 14:00pm.

The start time may be subject to change in response to the extremes of seasonal weather conditions. The working day includes a 30-minute un-paid rest break, which ACAS specify cannot be taken at the start or end of the day.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Driving and being responsible for the refuse vehicle, including daily routine maintenance and wash down.

Visual inspection of the vehicle and reporting of defects.

The safe tipping of refuse at disposal sites.

As chargehand to be responsible for allocated refuse collection crew.

Excellent customer care skills

Follow Health & Safety procedures and codes of practice

To assist with refuse loading when required

About You

Collecting waste is one of the most important responsibilities that we have, so we’re looking for people who share our desire to deliver an excellent waste collection service for our communities.

About You

You should be prepared for physically demanding manual work.

You will have significant experience of manoeuvring HGV in residential environments.

You will be working in all weathers so a can do and and flexible attitude is a must!

Hold a clean Class 2 (C) HGV License, and CPC card.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Benefits

• Work Together as one team – work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
• Drive Efficiency – show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
• Be Ambitious – be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
• Make a Difference to Reading – maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our Offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A Competitive Salary Alongside a Range Of Benefits Including

• Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at 19 Bennet Road, Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact, Marcus Hermon, Recycling and Waste Services Manager at [e-mail]

Closing Date: Wednesday 28th October 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Setup: In person at 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX