A1 Attendant City Centre

Salary: A1 Basic £24,480 scp2 – scp4 plus enhancements for Bank Holiday/weekend working, plus early/late working payment.

Hours: 36 per week working on a 4 x 3 shift pattern – Start and finish times will vary as you will be required to work an early/late/core shift.

Contract: Permanent

Positions available: 2

Location: City Centre

As an Attendant in Environmental Services you’ll thrive on working in a fast-paced environment, dealing with different challenges and priorities in a service that affects every single resident and visitor to Leeds city centre every day. It’s not just about emptying the bins or keeping the streets litter-free. It’s about working with people, being proud of what we do and looking after each other and the environment.

The city centre is a major cultural hub with many leisure and visitor attractions. Keeping our city clean and welcoming is vital to both Leeds City Council and key stakeholders, especially the City Centre business operators.

As an Attendant you will need to be flexible to cover a number of different working patterns which can include being asked to cover various shifts at short notice as per the needs of the service. You will receive training to be able to carry out the role which will enable you to carry out a wide range of environmental work.

• Be able to influence and display positive behaviours so that we live the council values in all we do.
• Be customer focused.
• Have a great work ethic.
• Be flexible in your approach to work.
• Be able to work with a wide range of partners to deliver shared outcomes within the city centre and south bank areas.
• Be able to work on your own initiative sometimes unsupervised and be accountable for your own workload.
• Ability to work outdoors for long periods and in all weather conditions with appropriate protective clothing/equipment.

Environmental Services cover a wide range of functions and altogether has over 830 staff – spanning operational, back-office, supervisory and managerial roles. It’s an exciting time to join us.

The role involves:

• Working closely with the Chargehand and Assistant Chargehands and other members of the team to deliver the outcome of clean streets.
• Emptying litter bins, recycling on-the-go bins, removal of bagged waste, litter and any fly-tipping as required.
• Cleaning down of bins and other items of street furniture such as benches and walk-it signs.
• Removal of human waste, needles and drugs paraphernalia as required once training provided.
• Removal of graffiti, fly posting and stickers.
• De-weeding and cutting back/removal of shrubbery/overgrowth.
• Removing leaf fall, silt and debris from the public highway.
• Removal of rough sleeper waste and supporting our colleagues in the street support team to deal with this issue in a sensitive and understanding way.
• Assisting with event clean-ups before, during and after to ensure the visitor experience.
• Using various tools such as barrow, brush, shovel, hoe, litter picking tongs and operating machinery such as strimmers and hedge cutters (full training provided).
• Being an ambassador for Leeds City Council and the City by interacting with visitors, residents and businesses within the City Centre as required.

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

Apply for this job online. If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Charlotte Richardson, Area Manager on 0113 3786168 or charlotte.richardson@leeds.gov.uk.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

To be eligible for sponsorship you’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job purpose: To work as part of a local team providing a range of streetscene services to local communities. To show initiative, commitment and enthusiasm to ensure services provided are responsive and combine effectively to meet customer needs.

To carry out a range of streetscene based tasks including:

• STREET CLEANING: Empty and effectively clean litter bins and liners. Weed removal using manual and mechanical means such that weed regrowth is prevented. Effectively clean up and wash pavements using the equipment provided. Effectively clean street furniture. Remove snow and ice from pavements as directed.
• MANUAL SWEEPING: Lift and remove all detritus from the highway that can be achieved by hand brushing/sweeping and manual sweeping equipment. This includes areas of kerb edges, footpath edges, traffic islands etc. and will include offensive detritus such as dog fouling.
• FLY TIP REMOVAL: Remove fly-tipped material off the highway and other identified areas of land. Removal of all items as directed, including loose materials, animal carcasses, large items, gas bottles etc. and safely load these onto the collection vehicle where required. Report hazardous material fly-tipped on the highway e.g. asbestos, chemicals etc.
• COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT WORKS: Carry out basic horticultural work e.g. basic pruning, trimming overhanging bushes etc. to facilitate the street cleansing functions above to be completed satisfactorily. Duties in line with level 1 horticultural training. Record and report environmental issues as required. Carry out basic street audits, for example on waste in gardens, excessive graffiti, excessive weed growth, fly posting, fly tipping etc. Fit litter bins using both electrical tools and manual tools as required.

Note: Whilst staff are expected to show flexibility with regard to the above tasks they will only be carried out following an assessment of competency and with the provision of any required training or supervision. A full list of required competencies accompanies this job description and will be used as part of a personal development plan discussed with individual employees on a regular basis.

To ensure that work carried out is of high quality, carried out safely and professionally and enhances the reputation of the service and the Council. To work effectively with all colleagues across the Council in order to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and quality within local environments as is possible.

To maintain an awareness and understanding of local environmental quality issues and report any defects identified e.g. graffiti, pot-holes, overhanging trees, unauthorised fly-posting, damaged street furniture, blocked gullies etc. To maintain competency and knowledge for the work of the post by undergoing relevant training and development e.g. on the job or external training courses.

To ensure that all work is undertaken in accordance with established health and safety procedures and to report defects or safety concerns identified to the appropriate manager. To carry out all work with the highest standards of behaviour and conduct thereby reflecting the importance of the role as an ambassador for the City and the Council. In particular, to respond courteously and professionally to requests from members of the public, other Council Officers, Elected Members etc.

To ensure that essential records relating to the work of the post e.g. timesheets, job requests, safety documents etc. are completed fully, promptly and accurately. To ensure that all resources used e.g. equipment, machinery and buildings etc. are kept safe, in good order and condition, and are not exposed to the risk of loss, damage or theft. In addition to the vehicle checks, to keep any vehicles used clean and tidy both inside and out.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Able to quickly learn new tasks and follow instructions.
• Able to work with others co-operatively and effectively to deliver high quality work and levels of cleanliness.
• Able to work under pressure and to high standards in terms of time and work quality.
• Able to work outdoors for long periods and in all weather conditions with appropriate protective clothing/equipment.
• Able to carry out work which requires ongoing considerable physical effort possibly with some heavy lifting.
• To be able to determine the depth of cleansing required in any situation to achieve satisfactory levels of street cleanliness, rather than merely following a schedule, regardless of the need.
• Commitment to the delivery of high quality services.
• Commitment to achieving high standards of street cleanliness, in collaboration with all colleagues.

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Be aware of and be able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality & diversity.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.

The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• Basic numeracy and literacy.
• Driving licence.
• Experience of environmental maintenance tasks relevant to the work of the post.
• Knowledge and use of tools and equipment relevant to the work of the post.
• Work in an area-based team showing initiative and understanding of the impact of the work carried out.
• Working alone and with minimal supervision.
• Able to use hand tools and equipment safely, efficiently and skilfully.