Refuse & Recycling Collector with HGV driving responsibilities

Blackburn with Darwen Council; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackburn with Darwen Council is seeking a Refuse & Recycling Collector with HGV driving responsibilities. The permanent role is 37 hours per week in the Environment and Operations department, with an interview in w/c 2 November 2026.

You will primarily collect refuse, drive to cover absences, and operate bin/tail-lift equipment. A Class 2 HGV licence and CPC card are essential; routes are local, with no nights away.

Qualifications

• Essential HGV driving licence with Class 2
• Valid CPC Driver Qualification Card
• Experience driving refuse vehicles is desirable

Responsibilities

• Refuse collection duties within Blackburn and Darwen
• Drive vehicle to cover annual leave and sickness, including rota gaps
• Operate bin and tail-lift mechanisms
• When acting as Driver, drive the Refuse Collection Vehicle and lead crew

Skills

HGV driving

CPC Driver Qualification

Class 2 licence

Job description

Refuse & Recycling Collector (with HGV Driving Responsibilities)

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Terms and Conditions: Permanent, 37 hours per week
Department: Environment and Operations
Interview Date: w/c 2 nd November 2026

HGV driving duties will attract £14.59 - £16.08 per hour

Our role is to provide a quality and efficient refuse collection service to the residents of our borough including all recycling collection activities and we are particularly interested to hear from candidates who also have a HGV licence as we regularly require our Refuse Collectors to carry out driving duties.

Our role provides an excellent opportunity for candidates wanting to put their HGV licence to good use and maintain their driving experience, without many of the demands associated with traditional full time HGV driving roles.

• Primarily your role will be a refuse collector. You will be required to drive the vehicle to cover annual leave, sickness absence, rota patterns and other absences of the substantive Drivers.
• On average, our current staff in these roles drive for at least 2 days per week.
• Driving is local with no nights away
• Routes are meticulously planned to ensure tasks are completed within your working day
• All work is carried out within Blackburn and Darwen
• Links with our Highways service to minimise disruption
• 3 out of 4 weeks Monday – Thursday
• 1 out of 4 weeks - 2 days midweek plus Friday and Saturday
• 26 days annual leave per year rising to 31 after 5 years service

Whilst the role reaps the benefits mentioned above it is stop-start driving, where you must be very aware of your surroundings, as working often in tight spaces/areas. You will be required to manoeuvre the vehicle around other parked vehicles safely and cautiously, being aware of pedestrians and members of the public.

The role requires you to ensure that all items of waste are removed satisfactorily, including the operation of mechanisms associated with bin and tail lifting equipment.

When acting up to a Driver your duties will also include, driving the Refuse Collection Vehicle and responsibility for the crew.

It is an essential requirement of this role that you have a Class 2 HGV driving licence and a valid CPC Driver Qualification card.

Please include supporting information which evidences how you meet the criteria detailed on the job description and person specification documents.

The listing may be closed before the closing date should sufficient applicants have been received.