Waste Operative

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust; Southampton; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS terms of service

Employee benefits platform discounts

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Waste Operative to join the UHS Estates team at Southampton. You will help ensure a clean, safe environment and handle waste in line with procedures across the hospital.

Full training is provided, with a rota covering 7am–8pm, Monday to Sunday, and opportunities to develop within a respected NHS trust located on the south coast.

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy facilities or waste-management environment is preferred.
• Willingness to learn and follow NHS procedures and regulations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Collect and safely transport waste from clinical and non-clinical areas.
• Segregate waste in accordance with policies and regulations.
• Operate waste handling equipment safely and efficiently.
• Maintain cleanliness and order in waste storage areas.
• Support the wider Facilities team to provide a reliable service.

Skills

Teamwork

Health & Safety awareness

Proactive attitude

Job description

Hours: Full time, Part time - 37.5 hours per week

Job ref: 188-UEL090726

Site: University Hospital Southampton

Town: Southampton

Closing: 01/10/2026

Job overview

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to join our team at UHS Estates Ltd (UEL).

Please refer to the detailed job description below for more information about the role.

We are looking for a Waste Operative to join our Waste Management team at UEL and play a key role in ensuring a clean, safe, and sustainable environment for patients, staff, and visitors.

As a Waste Operative, you’ll be part of a vital service responsible for the collection, segregation, storage, and removal of several categories of waste across our busy hospital site. You’ll help maintain the highest standards of hygiene and safety, ensuring all waste is handled in line with trust procedures and environmental regulations.

You’ll receive full training, development opportunities, and be part of a team that keeps the hospital running safely every single day. We provide services between 7am - 8pm from Monday - Sunday across 365 days a year,

UHS Estates Limited (UEL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS). The company is responsible for the design and construction of new buildings, and the ongoing provision of services, including estates maintenance, soft facilities management and the management of equipment, consumables and materials, in support of one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England.

Employee Benefits:

• NHS terms of service and annual leave
• Access to an employee benefits platform offering discounts on groceries, high street shopping, family outings, holidays, and more

Southampton offers an excellent quality of life, located on the south coast with an international airport and direct train links to London. The area boasts the stunning New Forest National Park, beautiful beaches along the Jurassic Coast, and living costs around 20% lower than London. With 14 Ofsted-rated Outstanding schools, it’s a great place to live and work.

What You’ll Do

Collect and safely transport waste from clinical and non-clinical areas

Segregate waste in accordance with UHS policies and national regulations

Operate waste handling equipment safely and efficiently

Maintain cleanliness and order in waste storage areas

Support the wider Facilities team to provide a reliable, high-quality service

What We’re Looking For

A positive, proactive attitude and strong work ethic

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Awareness of health & safety and infection control (training provided)

Flexibility to work within a 7am-8pm rota, Monday to Sunday

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application, as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role, please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail, please read the full job description document attached.

Employer certification / accreditation badges