Driver/Labourer in Gateshead

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading – we might be the perfect match. We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time. We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.

At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

The Highways & Waste team are responsible for ensuring that Gateshead is a safe and attractive place in which people can live, work and spend their free time. From waste collection and recycling services to maintaining highways and street lighting, the team delivers essential frontline services that residents rely on every day. The service also plays a key role in major infrastructure projects across the borough, including the restoration of the Tyne Bridge, helping to preserve and improve some of Gateshead’s most important landmarks while maintaining high standards of environmental and community care.

Gateshead Council is seeking to appoint 2 x Driver Labourers to join our Waste Services team. This is an important frontline role that helps keep our communities clean, safe and environmentally responsible. Working as part of a dedicated crew, you will undertake refuse and recycling collections as both a driver and a labourer, ensuring services are delivered efficiently and to the highest standards. This is a five‑day service operating Monday to Friday.

What you’ll get involved in:

• Undertake refuse, special collections as both a driver and labourer as directed by management.
• Work effectively within a team environment to maintain high standards of service delivery.
• As a driver, take responsibility for assigned crew members and vehicles, ensuring daily work is completed safely and efficiently.
• Report operational issues that cannot be resolved immediately to management.
• Use technology required to carry out the role and contribute to its ongoing development and improvement.
• Support the training and development of colleagues and participate in personal training as required.
• Contribute positively to the wider objectives of Waste Services and Gateshead Council.
• Deliver excellent customer service by proactively engaging with residents, visitors and partner organisations.
• Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and support compliance with Council policies and legal requirements.
• Maintain personal health and fitness standards necessary to meet driving licence requirements, including participation in medical assessments where required.
• Carry out vehicle and equipment checks, reporting any defects promptly and ensuring equipment is used safely and correctly at all times.
• Ensure all internal and external customers receive a consistently high‑quality service.

What you’ll bring:

• Full UK Driver’s Licence.
• LGV Class 1 (Category C) Licence as a minimum.
• Valid Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
• Basic numeracy and literacy skills relevant to the role.
• Understanding of how to provide excellent customer service.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Experience of working in a customer‑focused environment.
• Experience of working in an operational or frontline service environment.
• Experience of driving refuse and recycling vehicles.
• Commitment and enthusiasm for delivering high‑quality services to local communities.
• Flexibility, adaptability and a positive approach to changing service needs.

What’s in it for you:

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary – we invest in your future too.
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax‑efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand‑new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions – a cost‑effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services – plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. At Gateshead Council we are an employer who embraces, and welcomes diversity, who’s truly inclusive and who demonstrates equality for all.

We'll go the extra mile so that our approach is representative of the communities we serve and each other. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

You can apply online using the link below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications. We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying.

If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via recruitment@gateshead.gov.uk.

Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high‑volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application. Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.