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- Tasks: Engage with residents and promote food waste recycling in the community.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to environmental sustainability.
- Benefits: Earn £15.56 per hour with flexible hours and valuable experience.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining hands-on experience.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths and English, customer service experience, and a full UK driving licence.
- Other info: Temporary role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 16 £ per hour.
Location: PL4, Plymouth
Contract: Temporary role / December 2025 – June 2026 (depending on departmental needs)
Hours: 37 per week
Pay Rate: £15.56 per hour
Pertemps are currently recruiting on behalf of one of our clients for a Recycling Officer to support the rollout of a new Food Waste Collection project. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a high‑profile initiative that must be delivered by Spring 2026. You’ll play a key role in engaging with residents, explaining the benefits of food waste recycling, and ensuring a smooth transition to the new service. This is a public‑facing role, so confidence, professionalism, and strong communication skills are essential.
Duties will include:
- Resident Engagement: Visiting households to explain the new food waste collection service, answering questions, resolving issues on‑site, and encouraging participation. You’ll act as the public face of the project, ensuring residents feel supported and informed.
- Community Outreach: Attending schools, community groups, and local events to promote recycling and environmental awareness. You’ll deliver talks, workshops, and interactive sessions to inspire positive behaviour change.
- Event Planning & Delivery: Organising and supporting community clean‑ups, recycling campaigns, and environmental events. This includes liaising with partners, preparing risk assessments, ensuring Health & Safety compliance, and supervising staff and volunteers.
- Enforcement & Compliance: Working alongside enforcement teams to address waste‑related issues such as fly‑tipping, contamination, or misuse of containers. You’ll help ensure standards are upheld and take appropriate action when required.
- Customer Service: Acting as a first point of contact for queries and complaints, providing clear information and solutions in line with Council policy. You’ll monitor feedback to improve service delivery and reduce complaints.
- Monitoring & Reporting: Carrying out daily site visits to check standards, recording findings, and reporting issues. You’ll also assist with maintaining records, inventories, and budget monitoring for projects up to £75k.
- Partnership Working: Liaising with Councillors, voluntary groups, and external organisations to develop collaborative projects that enhance recycling participation and improve community environments.
- Education Projects: Designing and delivering initiatives aimed at children and young people, helping them understand the importance of recycling and empowering them to take ownership of their local environment.
- Operational Support: Assisting operational staff when required, including moving equipment, coordinating service requests, and ensuring smooth delivery of waste services.
Skills/Experience
Essential:
- GCSEs in Maths and English (A*–C / 9–4) or equivalent.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Experience in customer service, community engagement, and problem solving.
- Knowledge of Health & Safety and risk assessments.
- Strong organisational and interpersonal skills.
Desirable:
- Experience working within a local authority.
- Funding or grant sourcing for community projects.
- Supervisory experience.
- PACE training.
Click apply to apply now or alternatively call Emily for more information. Please note: Due to high application volumes, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you haven't heard from us within 14 days, please consider your application unsuccessful on this occasion - but do keep an eye out for future roles with Pertemps!
Refuse in Plymouth employer: Pertemps Bond
Contact Detail:
Pertemps Bond Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Refuse in Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company and its values before your interview. This way, you can tailor your responses to show how you align with their mission, especially in community engagement and environmental awareness.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since this role is all about engaging with residents, being able to explain things clearly and confidently will set you apart. Try role-playing with a friend or family member.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare some questions to ask during your interview. This shows your interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to the food waste collection project effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed, and we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals ready to make a difference in recycling.
We think you need these skills to ace Refuse in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Recycling Officer role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since this role is all about engaging with residents, make sure your written application reflects your strong communication skills. Be clear, concise, and friendly in your writing to give us a taste of how you'd interact with the community.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Don’t forget to mention any previous experience in customer service or community engagement. We want to see how you've tackled similar challenges before, so share specific examples that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets into the right hands!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pertemps Bond
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Recycling Officer. Familiarise yourself with food waste collection processes and community engagement strategies. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves engaging with residents and delivering talks, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated complex information in the past, whether in customer service or community outreach settings.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle specific situations, like resolving a resident's complaint or promoting recycling at a local event. Think through potential scenarios and outline your approach, focusing on problem-solving and customer service skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for the Environment
This position is all about promoting recycling and environmental awareness. Be ready to discuss why sustainability matters to you and share any relevant experiences, such as volunteering for environmental initiatives or leading community projects.
