Waste Transfer Station Plant Operative

Leicestershire County Council; Leicester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Leicestershire County Council is recruiting two Waste Transfer Station Plant Operatives to support the operation of Recycling & Household Waste Sites (RHWS) and Waste Transfer Stations (WTS).

The roles are based primarily at Whetstone RHWS/WTS with the possibility of relocation to Kibworth or Loughborough sites. You will operate loading shovels, telehandlers and forklifts in line with safety rules, and aid in recycling recovery and throughput.

Qualifications

• Loading shovel ticket (training may be provided)
• Access to a vehicle and a valid UK driving licence (or ability to gain within 12 months)
• Knowledge of waste transfer station operations
• Health and safety awareness
• Effective time-management and problem-solving skills
• Basic IT skills
• Level 3 award in first aid at work or willingness to work towards it

Responsibilities

• Operate a range of heavy plant and equipment (JCB 5CX Wastemaster, loading shovels, telehandlers, forklifts)
• Transfer waste efficiently and safely at RHWS/WTS
• Maximise recyclables recovery and control deliveries from site users
• Work outdoors at RHWS/WTS sites
• Be prepared to operate at different sites (Kibworth/Loughborough) as required

Skills

Loading shovel ticket

UK Driving Licence

Waste transfer operations

Health and safety awareness

Time management

IT basics

First aid at work (level 3)

Tools

Loading shovel equipment

Telehandlers

Forklift trucks

Job description

Organisation: Leicestershire County Council

Work Location: Whetstone Recycling and Household Waste Site & Waste Transfer Station, Enderby Rd, Leicester LE8 6JL & others

Salary: £25,191 - £25,590 per annum (pro-rata for part-time) actual £28,254.73 - £28,702.26 based on annualised hours averaging 41.5 hours per week (subject to a pending 3.3% 2026/27 pay award). This position is subject to a non-contractual market premia of £0.80 per hour plus a monthly retention payment of £75 per month after successful completion of probationary period.

Working Hours:1891.5 (annualised hours)

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 20th September 2026

Interview Date(s): TBC

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Waste Management Delivery Service, as such Leicestershire County Council is looking to recruit two Waste Transfer Station Plant Operatives to support in the operation of the Council’s Recycling & Household Waste Sites (RHWS) and Waste Transfer Stations (WTS).

One position is available, working full time (5 days per week, usually Mondays to Fridays but some weekend work may be required). Bank Holidays that fall within working patterns could be mandatory but paid as double time).

Successful candidates will be usually based on: - Whetstone RHWS & WTS. Candidates must be prepared to be based at Kibworth RHWS & WTS or Loughborough RHWS & WTS if required.

Working Patterns

Monthly rotating shift patterns of 41.5 hours per week with start times from 6.45am and finish times up to 6pm.

About the Role

You will be responsible for operating a variety of heavy plant and equipment that will include a JCB 5CX Wastemaster, loading shovels, telehandlers, and forklift trucks for the efficient and effective transfer of waste from busy RHWS and WTS, in strict accordance with safe systems of work. The role will also involve maximising the recovery of recyclables within waste and safely controlling deliveries from site users, private traders and district councils.The role is based in a busy RHWS and / or WTS and involves working outdoors. It is expected that the successful candidates will have previous experience of operating loading shovels and telehandlers at waste or construction sites. However, training may be provided to suitable candidates that have no previous experience of operating this type of plant.The role may require the candidate to work on the Recycling and Household Waste Sites when not operating plant machinery.

All positions may at times require the candidate to work on the attached Recycling and Household Waste Sites when not operating plant machinery.

About You

To apply for this post, you must:

• A loading shovel ticket (training may be provided to suitable candidates that do not currently have a valid loading shovel ticket)
• Access to an appropriate vehicle and have a valid UK Drivers' Licence (or be able and willing to gain within a reasonable timeframe (12 months)), access to vehicle and business insurance.
• A knowledge of waste transfer station operations
• A Health and safety awareness
• Effective time-management andproblem-solving skills
• A basic level of IT skills
• A level 3 award in first aid at work qualification or be able and willing to work towards as necessary.

In addition, we also expect you to shareour commitment to our valuesandto delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.We are a Disability Confident Employer.

Interested in Flexible Working?

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part-time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.

For more information or an informal discussion,please contact:

Stephen Thompson (Waste Operations Officer)

07907 720232

[e-mail]

Or

Luke Capell

07928 399301

[e-mail]