Waste and Recycling Engagement Officer

Instagram; Browney; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

27–32 days leave (local gov scheme)

Hybrid/flexible working

Pension scheme

Job summary

County Durham Council is expanding its team to support the Simplified Recycling rollout. You will engage residents through door-knocking, monitoring activities, and delivering presentations and roadshows to explain new food waste collection and enhanced recycling services.

This hands-on, public-facing role involves out-and-about contact with residents, supporting waste reduction efforts, and contributing to environmental protection.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Experience in public-facing roles is required.
• Experience with case management and problem-solving is desirable.
• Ability to work outside normal hours, including evenings and weekends, when needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide friendly, practical advice to residents through door-knocking and follow-up visits.
• Deliver engaging presentations, school assemblies, community talks, and roadshows.
• Monitor kerbside recycling for contamination and provide guidance to residents.
• Collaborate with Strategic Waste Management and Operational teams to support rollout.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Public engagement

Education

GCSEs (5 GCSEs A-C)

Job description

New Government legislation, known as 'Simpler Recycling', requires councils across England to reduce the amount of waste being thrown away and increase the amount that is reused, recycled, or composted. To meet these new standards, we've introduced a countywide food waste collection service and have enhanced our kerbside recycling scheme to make recycling easier for everyone. In County Durham, households produce around 230,000 tonnes of waste every year. Currently, residents can recycle paper, card, plastics, and cans and glass in their blue-lidded bin. Last year, just under 37% of household waste was recycled - and we're committed to helping residents do even better. What is involved? We're running a countywide education and customer engagement campaign to support the rollout of the new food waste collection service and promote simpler, clearer recycling. To deliver this, we're looking for enthusiastic individuals with strong communication and customer service skills to join our team. As part of the role, you'll:

• Work closely with our Strategic Waste Management and Operational teams.
• Provide friendly, practical advice to residents through door-knocking, monitoring activities, and follow-up visits.
• Deliver engaging presentations, school assemblies, community talks, and attend roadshows to help residents understand the changes.
• Support residents in making the right recycling choices by monitoring kerbside recycling for contamination and offering guidance where needed.

This is a hands-on, community-focused role where you'll be out meeting residents, answering questions, and helping people feel confident about simpler recycling and food waste collections. Your work will play a key part in helping County Durham reduce waste and protect the environment.

• Qualifications: 5 GCSEs (A-C grade) or equivalent.
• Experience of working in a public-facing role.
• Experience of case management and problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to work outside normal hours, including evenings and weekends when needed.

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes:

• Attractive salaries
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years' continuous local government service)
• Membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme
• A range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable

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Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.