Waste Operatives

Colchester Borough Council; Braintree; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning and development

Employee discounts

Health & wellbeing programmes

Job summary

Braintree District Council is inviting applications for Waste Operatives to join our Operations team. You will work across the full Waste service and contribute to a clean and green district.

The role requires a proactive, physically fit individual who can work outdoors, carry out collections on residential and commercial premises, and assist with depot maintenance. Driving licence desirable and CPC training available.

Qualifications

• Physically fit and able to perform manual handling
• Able to work outdoors in a manual role
• Desirable: valid driving licence and CPC training available

Responsibilities

• Undertaking the collection of all types of refuse and recycling from residential and commercial premises
• Assisting other collection crews as instructed
• Assisting the driver in reversing/manoeuvring the vehicle
• Assisting with daily/weekly maintenance and cleaning of depot and vehicles
• Delivering and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction in relation to the service
• Carrying out and recording daily/weekly vehicle and equipment checks
• Maintaining safe driving standards for road safety
• Working weekends/bank holidays when required

Job description

credit_card Salary £27,072 to £27,936 per annum

Job details

Salary £27,072 to £27,936 per annum

Contractual hours 37

Basis Full time

Job category/type Permanent - Full Time

Date posted 23/09/2026

Job reference BREQ0476

We have a great opportunity for Waste Operatives to join our Operations team.

You will work across the full Waste service, according to business needs. You will need to be enthusiastic and motivated, and demonstrate a flexible, committed and positive approach to service delivery. Protective clothing and on the job training will be provided.

Braintree District Council is committed to improving environmental issues and maintaining the district's clean and green operations is high on our list of priorities.

Playing a key part in this, you will carry out a variety of tasks to ensure an efficient front-line service including:

• Undertaking the collection of all types of refuse and recycling waste (including, but not limited to green waste, food waste and dry recycling) from residential and commercial premises in various receptacles, across all routes when required to do so i.e. wheeled bins, trade bins, clear, black and blue sacks and food waste caddies and sorting on site where applicable.
• Assisting other collection crews as and when instructed to do so.
• Assisting the driver in reversing/manoeuvring of the vehicle
• Assisting with the daily/weekly maintenance and cleaning of the depot and vehicles
• Delivering and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction in relation to this service creating a clean, green and safe District for the residents of Braintree.
• Assisting in carrying out and recording daily/weekly vehicle and equipment checks in full compliance with the manufacturer's guidance, driver's handbook and report any defects using the defect reporting procedure.
• When undertaking driving duties maintaining a good standard of driving in relation to road conditions and other road users ensuring the safety of yourself, other employees and members of the public.
• Working weekend/bank holidays when required.

The experience you will bring:

• Have worked in a physically demanding manual job role/ in an outdoor environment.
• Must be physically fit, able to move bags and wheeled bins for the working day and walk for a number of miles a day.
• Able to work effectively as part of a team/crew
• Experience in a public facing role dealing with customers
• Experience with collection/delivery schedules
• Worked as part of a Waste Management contract
• High degree of awareness in respect of personal health and safety in relation to manual handling and the dangers associated with working continuously in close proximity to the highway.
• Flexible approach to working hours - The ability to work weekends/bank holidays, sometimes at short notice to meet the needs of the Service.
• A valid driving licence is desirable, ideally including entitlement to drive 7.5 tonne vehicles
• A valid CPC card is desirable (although relevant training for the CPC card can be provided for the right candidate)

Braintree is an ambitious and dynamic Council and is becoming one of the fastest growing Districts in the East of England with three growing towns, London just 45 minutes away and the District located directly between the international transport centres of Stansted Airport and Harwich and Felixstowe International Ports. We have a deserved track record for delivering and a strong reputation within the business community.

Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative and innovative approach, which is led by our employees, and are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it. Our people see the difference they make and how the work they do actively contributes to and encourages positive change in the local community.

We also offer some great benefits, including:

• Learning and development for all employees
• Employee discounts at local businesses
• Extensive health and wellbeing programmes, including discounted gym membership

Make a difference - work for your local council

Every day, our work shapes the place people call home - at your local council, your skills will help build safer neighbourhoods, stronger communities and better futures.

From Planning and IT to Finance and Environmental Services, and with more routes in than ever, choose from hundreds of roles to find out what works for you. Whether you're just starting out or looking for a change, find your own path to a life-changing career.

Find out more at https://localcounciljobs.gov.uk.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on Thursday 8th October.