Waste Site Operative

South Gloucestershire Council; Yate; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

South Gloucestershire Council is seeking a Site Operative for Yate Household Waste Recycling Centre to support safe and efficient operation, direct the public to disposal points and help manage site traffic.

You will work outdoors in all weather, handle manual tasks with pallet trucks, and uphold health and safety rules while promoting recycling and responsible waste disposal.

Qualifications

• Experience working with customers in a waste-related role.
• Knowledge of waste management and recycling practices; identify hazardous or non-permitted waste.
• Ability to follow site rules, procedures, and PPE.
• Able to carry out manual handling using pallet trucks.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean, safe, and organised site and manage material flows.
• Ensure health and safety of staff and visitors and comply with permits and policies.
• Record material movements and support container exchanges to maintain capacity.

Skills

Customer service

Waste management knowledge

Health and safety

Manual handling

Teamwork

Job description

How you'll make a difference

As a Site Operative, you will work within the Recycling and Waste team to support the safe and efficient operation of the Yate Household Waste Recycling Centre. You will assist members of the public by directing them to the appropriate disposal points and ensuring waste is handled correctly.

You will also play a key role in managing the flow of traffic on site, maintaining a safe, organised environment for both visitors and colleagues.

What you will be doing

• It will be your responsibility to maintain a clean and organised site, ensuring materials do not overspill and the environment remains safe and presentable.
• You will ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees, the public and all site users by adhering to site permits, relevant legislation and council policies and procedures.
• Maintaining accurate records of material movements will be a key part of your duties. You will also support the Supervisor and Team Leader in managing container exchanges, ensuring there is always sufficient capacity on site to segregate and store materials safely and effectively.

What we need from you

• It is essential that you have previous experience of working with customers in a waste-related role, along with a good understanding of waste management and recycling practices, including the ability to identify hazardous or non-permitted waste types.
• You must be able to follow site rules and procedures, with a basic knowledge of health and safety, including the correct use of PPE.
• We are looking for someone who can carry out manual handling tasks, including safely lifting and moving heavy or bulky items using equipment such as pallet trucks.
• You will be a strong team player with the ability to remain calm under pressure and handle conflict or disagreements professionally. You will also be confident in advising site visitors on rules and actively promoting recycling and responsible waste disposal.

What you need to know

• You must be available for rota-based shifts including weekends and bank holidays.
• Given the nature of the role, you will be working outside in all weather conditions, as well as on uneven surfaces, where PPE will be worn.

Interview date is to be confirmed

How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different

• What’s special here is the strength of the team ethos, the support and the training.
• As part of our benefits package you will receive generous annual leave, employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.
• We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work.

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.

• We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of.
• We're working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life.
• We're investing in our schools to ensure every child and young person in South Gloucestershire achieves their full potential.

We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.

We’re making a difference, be part of it!