Recycling Assistant in Leeds

Salary: B1 £25,183 - £25,989 pro rata plus weekend and bank holiday enhancements

Hours: 32.15 on average per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Various recycling centres in Leeds (Kirkstall, Seacroft, Wetherby, Middleton, Meanwood, Pudsey, Otley and Yeadon)

As a Recycling Assistant, you must thrive on interacting with members of the public by encouraging them to maximise the separation of their waste. This will increase recycling and help the Authority to achieve their waste strategy commitment.

About you:

• You must be committed to providing a high-quality customer service and be an excellent communicator.
• You must have the ability to work as a team, whilst being able to use your own initiative.
• You must have the ability to work with a range of partners, contractors, agencies, and other teams from within the council to ensure our sites are responsive to customer needs and reuse/recycling is maximised to the full.
• You must be able to be on your feet for up to 10 hours a day and be able to work in all weathers.
• You must be flexible in terms of location of where you are placed across Leeds and to be able to get there each day.

About the role:

This is a vital role working in a fast-paced team with a high demand for the service. You must be motivated and hardworking with a passion to make a positive contribution to improving the environment. You can help by ensuring that all waste that is presented is segregated into the correct waste/recycle stream. This assists in minimising the costs of transporting and disposing of non-recyclable waste which can be more expensive.

The eight Household Recycling Centres (HWRC) accept items that are no longer wanted or needed by residents of Leeds. The council collects approximately 333,000 tonnes of waste per year from around 340,000 households with emphasis on reducing non-recyclable waste.

We work in partnership with various charities including REVIVE. There are two reuse shops located at Kirkstall HWRC and Seacroft HWRC. This enables residents to donate reusable items like furniture, working electrical items, clothing, bikes and bric-a-brac.

The councils reuse partner REVIVE has supported Leeds' journey towards achieving net zero emissions citywide by 2030 by helping to divert 935 tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2022/2023 that otherwise would have been disposed of.

What we offer you:

• 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 of development opportunities.
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply:

Please complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Leeds Waste Team on 0113 3784695 or email leeds.waste@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.

Job purpose:

To work as part of a multi-skilled household waste site team responsible for encouraging the public to maximise the separation of their waste to increase recycling and help the Council achieve its Waste Strategy objectives. To show initiative, commitment, and enthusiasm to ensure the services provided make a difference by supporting and advising residents how to recycle their waste and improving behaviours in relation to disposing of their waste responsibly.

Responsibilities:

• Positively undertake the segregation of recyclable material, to extract as much recyclables as possible.
• Utilising Reuse facilities available on site, to positively separate waste for reuse: e.g. Paint, WEEE and furniture.
• To actively deter trade/commercial waste visitors from using the sites, complying with individual site procedures and current permit restrictions.
• Contribute to new initiatives to manage waste aimed to improve recycling and reuse on site.
• Control chargeable waste and facilitate revenue collection using appropriate payment technology.
• To proactively meet and greet visitors to the site and assist members of the public in separating/recycling and disposing of waste as appropriate.
• Offer physical assistance to less able customers.
• To adhere to customer service standards applicable to operations on site.
• Assist with surveys, leafleting and customer feedback.
• To respond to customer enquiries regarding recycling facilities both on site and offered at kerbside/bring and to direct the public to where further information can be obtained.
• Undertake all work in accordance with health and safety procedures and to report defects or safety concerns identified to the appropriate supervisor/manager.
• Ensure that Health and Safety Regulations, site procedures and risk assessments are observed and complied with, especially in relation to Asbestos, unknown chemicals and gas cylinders.
• Wear appropriate P.P.E. issued by the Service, e.g. gloves, high-visibility clothing, boots, goggles etc., as required.
• To ensure that all essential records relating to the operation of the site are completed fully and promptly.
• To operate and ensure the safe use of heavy plant and machinery, such as waste compactors on household waste sites in accordance with training and site procedures.
• Ensure the timely opening and closing of the HWSS and that all site security systems are activated, as appropriate.
• Follow site procedures and method statements, to ensure that specific tasks are completed in accordance with the programme of work.
• To rectify routine problems/issues in accordance with the programme of work.
• To report any outstanding problem associated with the service, or any failure to complete the programme of work, to a manager immediately or at the end of the working day at the latest and complete appropriate paperwork as required.
• To use a range of specialist tools, where necessary having received relevant training.
• This includes the ability to undertake horticultural work e.g. pruning and cutting back shrubs, hedges, overhanging branches, mowing/strimming of grass and removal of weeds.
• Undertake any ancillary labouring, cleaning and maintenance duties as directed, relative to the site you are working at and the service needs.
• Ensure that all resources used, equipment, machinery and buildings are kept safe, in good order and condition and are not exposed to the risk of loss damage or theft.
• Operate and utilise electronic monitoring devices supplied/installed on site e.g. CCTV, automatic number plate recognition, hand-held data collection devices, as required.
• Record and report on any issues as appropriate.
• Operate weighbridge if required.
• Ensure the site is kept clean and tidy, sweep and litter pick as required.
• Comply with all relevant Leeds City Council Policies and Procedures.
• Undergo relevant training and development (e.g. on the job or training courses).
• To support educational campaigns or activities to support behaviour change to increase recycling/reuse and responsible management of waste.
• 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.

This is not an exhaustive list and the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonable duties deemed to be within the scope of this role.

Hours of Work:

The hours of work are an overall average of 32.15 hours per week, over 7 days per week (Monday to Sunday inclusive), working 4 days one week 3 days the other week on a repeating cycle, 52 weeks per year except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

There will be a seasonal variation to hours of work:

• Summer (Apr-Oct): 7.45am – 6.15pm (average weekly hours of 35)
• Winter (Nov-Mar): 7.45am – 4.15pm (average weekly hours of 28)

The normal working day will include a 30-minute unpaid lunch break.

Fixed payments to reflect weekend and Bank Holiday working will be made in accordance with the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Services Terms & Conditions of Service.

In certain circumstances, in the interests of operational efficiency, rota cycles can be varied subject to appropriate consultation and with reasonable notice.

Physical conditions:

Employees will be required to work flexibly and will be part of an operational service and may at short notice be deployed to any of the eight city-wide household waste. This flexible approach to ways of working will be required which on occasion may include the provision of a similar service across other areas of the council.

Relationships:

The post holder will be required to communicate with all levels of staff, members of the public, external agencies and on occasions ward councillors. The post holder will be expected to work both positively and flexibly with team members upholding the values of the Council.