Waste Prevention Officer

Luton Borough Council; Luton; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Waste Prevention Officer to spearhead innovative recycling initiatives. This role involves collaborating with key stakeholders to enhance waste management services, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations while working within budget constraints. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of waste operations and be adept at producing technical reports. Join a passionate team dedicated to making a positive impact in the community and contribute to the ambitious Luton 2040 Vision, which aims to eradicate poverty in the area.

Benefits

Annual leave: 25 to 32 days

Buying annual leave scheme

Career Pathways

Pension scheme with employer contributions

Generous relocation package

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working options

Unlimited access to development courses

Staff offers and discounts

Arriva Travel Club savings

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in the waste sector with a focus on performance.
• Ability to produce technical reports and correspondence for management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of recycling and re-use initiatives.
• Act as a key contact for waste prevention queries and improvements.

Skills

Waste Management

Project Management

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

Graduate-level qualification in a related field

Equivalent experience in waste management

Tools

Data presentation tools

IT systems

Job description

About The Job

Salary: £37,938 - £40,476 a year pro rata

Hours per week: 37

Contract type: Secondment/FTC for 6 Months

This position is available as a secondment opportunity for 6 months. If you are a permanent LBC employee, you must have written approval (an email will suffice) from your manager prior to applying, and a copy will need to be submitted with your application. Please note: we will not be able to proceed with your application without your manager’s permission.

We’re looking for a Waste Prevention Officer to play a key role in shaping and delivering innovative recycling and re-use initiatives.

In this role, you’ll take the lead—alongside our Strategic Support Manager—on all things recycling and re-use within our waste management service. Your work will directly contribute to implementing projects that support the waste hierarchy and align with both local and national waste strategies.

This isn’t a desk-bound job. We need someone dynamic and proactive, ready to respond to challenges as they arise. You’ll be working closely with the Head of Waste Prevention and Commercial Operations, ensuring our services are not only efficient and effective but also delivered safely, on time, and within budget.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading the development and implementation of recycling and re-use initiatives.
• Supporting service performance across Waste Management.
• Working within agreed budgets, timeframes, and Health & Safety legislation.
• Acting as a key contact for waste prevention queries and improvement opportunities.

About You

Industry Experience

You’ll bring demonstrable experience of working within the waste sector, with a clear understanding of day-to-day operations and wider service delivery. Experience in supervising services is also essential, particularly in environments focused on performance standards and targets.

Technical And Analytical Skills

You should be comfortable producing clear, concise technical reports and drafting detailed correspondence, including recommendations for senior management and Council committees. A strong grasp of IT systems and data presentation tools will be beneficial.

Communication And Interpersonal Abilities

Excellent communication skills are a must—both written and verbal. You’ll also need to be confident when negotiating with or persuading others, whether that’s colleagues, stakeholders, or members of the public.

Knowledge of Waste Management and Health & Safety

A thorough understanding of best practices in waste management, relevant legislation, and associated Health & Safety requirements is essential. This knowledge should be grounded within an operational policy context.

Educational Background

We’re looking for a graduate-level or professionally qualified candidate in a related field, or someone who can demonstrate equivalent experience and knowledge.

Awareness of Sector Initiatives

Awareness or experience of training and guidance from organisations such as WRAP, DEFRA, or similar is highly desirable, along with a wider understanding of current waste operations and environmental service delivery.

About Us

Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision—that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty—is at the heart of everything we do. We recognize that our people are remarkable, talented, committed, and passionate about serving our residents.

The people of Luton depend heavily on this council—and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realize the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?

Benefits

• From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
• Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
• Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
• Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
• Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
• Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse, and dependent children over 16 still living at home
• Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
• Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring, and support, and clear career pathways
• Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants, and salons
• Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel

How To Apply

We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised, so you want yours to stand out!

Our ‘How to apply' page has more tips to help with your application: https://jobs.luton.gov.uk/how-to-apply/