Senior Environmental Services Technician

Sunderland City Council; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Employee discounts

Job summary

Sunderland City Council in Sunderland is seeking a Senior Environmental Services Technician to lead the Waste and Recycling Service, ensuring safe, efficient collection across the city with vehicles up to 26 tonnes GVW.

You will supervise the collection crew, apply safety standards, deliver high-quality service, and use handheld devices to record data and communicate with colleagues. A full UK driving licence with Category C, Driver CPC, and tachograph card are required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and direct the collection crew to ensure safety and wellbeing of team and the public.
• Operate and drive specialist refuse collection vehicles up to 26 tonnes GVW.
• Deliver statutory household and commercial waste collection services across Sunderland.
• Utilise handheld devices to record operational information and communicate with colleagues.

Job description

Senior Environmental Services Technician

Sunderland is a forward-thinking and ambitious city that is continuing to undergo significant transformation and economic regeneration. Recognised globally as a welcoming and inclusive place to live, work, learn, and thrive, we are committed to delivering the ambitions of the Sunderland City Plan 2035 and maintaining a clean, green city for residents and businesses.

As a Senior Environmental Services Technician within our Waste and Recycling Service, you will play a key role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable collection of waste and recycling across Sunderland. The role involves driving and operating a range of specialist refuse collection vehicles up to 26 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight, helping to deliver statutory household and commercial waste collection services throughout the city.

You will be responsible for supervising and directing the collection crew, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of your team, members of the public, and other road users. You will demonstrate excellent customer service skills and ensure that all work is completed to the Councilandrsquo;s required standards, with a strong focus on quality, accuracy, and compliance.

The role also requires the use of digital technology, including handheld devices, to record operational information, complete tasks, and communicate effectively with colleagues and management.

Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence with Category C entitlement, a valid Driver CPC qualification, and a digital tachograph card. You should possess strong communication skills and the ability to follow instructions, policies, procedures, and relevant legislation to carry out duties safely and effectively.

Refuse collection operations currently operate Tuesday to Friday, and successful applicants will be required to work within these service delivery arrangements. You may also be required to work from any of the Councilandrsquo;s operational depots located at Hendon, South Hylton, Houghton-le-Spring, or Washington, depending on service requirements.

As an employee of Sunderland City Council, you will have access to a range of benefits, including an attractive pension scheme and a variety of exclusive employee discounts and offers.

For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Gemma Kenworthy via email at [e-mail].

Company: Sunderland City Council

Salary: £20,001 to £30,000 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: Sunderland, SR1 3AA

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 22 Oct 2026

Closing date: 1 Nov 2026

Summary

Sunderland is a forward-thinking and ambitious city that is continuing to undergo significant transformation and economic regeneration. Recognised globally as a welcoming and inclusive place to live, work, learn, and thrive, we are committed to delivering the ambitions of the Sunderland City Plan 2035 and maintaining a clean, green city for residents and businesses.

As a Senior Environmental Services Technician within our Waste and Recycling Service, you will play a key role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable collection of waste and recycling across Sunderland. The role involves driving and operating a range of specialist refuse collection vehicles up to 26 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight, helping to deliver statutory household and commercial waste collection services throughout the city.

You will be responsible for supervising and directing the collection crew, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of your team, members of the public, and other road users. You will demonstrate excellent customer service skills and ensure that all work is completed to the Councilandrsquo;s required standards, with a strong focus on quality, accuracy, and compliance.

The role also requires the use of digital technology, including handheld devices, to record operational information, complete tasks, and communicate effectively with colleagues and management.

Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence with Category C entitlement, a valid Driver CPC qualification, and a digital tachograph card. You should possess strong communication skills and the ability to follow instructions, policies, procedures, and relevant legislation to carry out duties safely and effectively.

Refuse collection operations currently operate Tuesday to Friday, and successful applicants will be required to work within these service delivery arrangements. You may also be required to work from any of the Councilandrsquo;s operational depots located at Hendon, South Hylton, Houghton-le-Spring, or Washington, depending on service requirements.

As an employee of Sunderland City Council, you will have access to a range of benefits, including an attractive pension scheme and a variety of exclusive employee discounts and offers.

For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Gemma Kenworthy via email at [e-mail].

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme