Shovel Driver Plant Operative

Essex County Council; Braintree; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex County Council is seeking a multi-task site operative to manage tipping hall operations and ensure the safe loading of articulated vehicles in line with KPI targets. You will oversee on-site traffic management, supervise contractors and maintain site vehicles, reporting repairs and ensuring compliance with health and safety policies.

The role requires a full, valid UK driving licence and the ability to work outdoors in all weather, with strong communication skills and a proactive,

Qualifications

• Full valid driving licence required.
• Material Handler and Loading Shovel qualification desirable with full training provided.
• Experience in waste/groundworks or similar environments is desirable but not essential.
• Good mechanical knowledge and ability to follow safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead mobile plant operations to safely contain and manage waste tipped from RCVs.
• Follow site-specific rules at all waste facilities.
• Manage and train site users, enforcing rules when required.
• Perform pre-use inspections and general maintenance on equipment.
• Assist with weighbridge duties and site inspections/paperwork as needed.
• Maintain site cleanliness and manage spillages.
• Report contamination or environmental hazards to line manager.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the post as required.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Outdoor work

Safety minded

Education

Full valid driving licence

Tools

Material Handler

Loading Shovel qualification

Job description

A multi-task role from managing and controlling all tipping hall operations to being accountable for ensuring articulated vehicles are loaded safely and in accordance with KPI's within the Essex County Council Waste service. Manging on site traffic management for multiple local district councils and 3rd Parties to ensure contractual tipping arrangements are met and carried out safely. Directly responsible for the safe and proper operation and maintenance of any site vehicle under their use. This includes liaising with Site Supervisor/Operations Manager for repairs and servicing of all equipment on site including scheduling works/contractors to avoid impact on the service. Responsible for operating the front-loading shovel and 360-degree wheeled materials handler to move, load and transport waste safely and competently. Lead on ensuring all site users within the tipping hall operation are following site rules and in accordance with Health and Safety and Environmental policies and procedures. To read more about our business area, please visit: Accountabilities

• Lead on all mobile plant operations as required to safely contain and manage waste tipped form RCV's, including pushing up waste using the loading shovel as well as loading lorries.
• Accountable for following the site-specific rules at all waste facilities operated by Essex County Council.
• Manage all site users to comply with site rules and where required enforce site rules by inducting and training individuals.
• Accountable for the Pre-use inspections of the plant or equipment assigned for operation, reporting any defects prior to shift start as well as undertaking general maintenance and preventive maintenance activities.
• When not operating plant/vehicles other duties may be required such as Weighbridge or assisting the site supervisor with site inspections/paperwork.
• Responsible for routine cleaning to ensure the site is free from litter and to contain and dispose of any spillages.
• To ensure that all resources used (e.g. equipment, machinery and buildings) are kept safe, in good order and condition and are not exposed to the risk of loss, damage or theft.
• To immediately report any contamination or non-conforming wastes delivered to site, accidents, incidents, near misses and environmental hazards to your line manager.

• To carry out any other duties commensurate with the post as required to meet the needs of the service.

  Qualifications/Training - Full valid driving licence. Material Handler and Loading Shovel Qualification desirable but not essential as full training will be provided. Previous experience of working within the waste industry is desirable but not essential.

• Knowledge -Understanding of waste operations is desirable. Mechanical knowledge.
• Experience - Previous experience operating plant machinery preferably within the waste industry. Experience working with the public is desirable. Manual handling experience.
• Skills - Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Able to understand written and verbal instruction.
• Character - Self-motivated with the willingness to undertake further training when required. Able to work outdoors for long periods and in all weather conditions with appropriate protective clothing/equipment.
• Availability/Locality/Mobility - You will be largely based at a council Waste Transfer Station but may be required to work at any other location as required.

• Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK. Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means. As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we are dedicated to making a positive difference for residents, communities and businesses across the county. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you. In March 2026, Greater Essex was accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our . Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

  • Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

  At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.