Driver/Sweeper (Start 7.30am)

Driver/Sweeper (Start 7.30am)

Full-Time 24000 - 36000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Reading Borough Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive and operate street cleansing vehicles to keep our town clean and welcoming.
  • Company: Join Reading Borough Council's Streetscene Team, committed to diversity and inclusion.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a supportive environment for career growth.
  • Other info: Great opportunities for innovation and collaboration in a friendly team.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while enjoying varied outdoor work.
  • Qualifications: Must have a Cat: B or C1 UK driving licence and experience in outdoor work.

The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.

We’re looking for a reliable and hardworking Driver/Sweeper to join our comprehensive Street Cleansing Service within the Streetscene Team to help keep our streets clean, safe, and welcoming for residents and visitors alike. Our team keeps the town’s pavements, roads and other public areas clean and safe, and we’re looking for new team members to join us! We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the Role

The role is full time (37 hours per week) and will require you to start at 7:30 am and will be working Monday to Friday only. A Cat: B or C1 UK driving licence is an essential part of this role and forms part of the shortlisting criteria; therefore you must state you have this on your CV or application form if it is not mentioned you will not be shortlisted. As a Driver/Sweeper, you'll operate a range of vehicles and street cleansing equipment to maintain high standards of cleanliness across the borough. This includes sweeping streets, emptying litter bins, removing debris, and responding to environmental emergencies. This job is working within the Reading Town Centre and includes driving and manual cleansing duties, so this would suit someone who enjoys varied outdoor work.

Duties will include:

  • Driving the electric vehicle and pedestrian mechanical sweeping machines
  • Carrying out street cleansing duties using a range of equipment
  • Maintaining equipment in accordance with checklists
  • Ensuring assigned areas are cleaned to a high standard
  • Following all health and safety regulations
  • Completing daily logs and reports as required
  • Supporting the wider street cleansing team as needed
  • Manually sweeping and clearing litter from public areas

Ideal candidate profile

Ideally the successful candidates will have a proven track record of outside working in a demanding environment, driving tippers and other mechanical sweeping machinery along with an understanding of general vehicle maintenance.

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment. A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

  • Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays (rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave)
  • A wide range of flexible working opportunities
  • Modern working environment at the 19 Bennet Road depot
  • Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
  • Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
  • On‑site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
  • Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
  • Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Matt Dady – Streetscene Senior Operations Officer - matt.dady@reading.gov.uk

Interview Date: Tuesday 3rd March 2026

Interview Setup: In person at 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX

Driver/Sweeper (Start 7.30am) employer: Reading Borough Council

Reading Borough Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where innovation and ambition are encouraged. As a Disability Confident Employer, we prioritise diversity and provide ample opportunities for career growth, alongside competitive benefits such as generous holiday entitlement, a Local Government Pension Scheme, and access to an on-site nursery. Join our friendly Streetscene Team in Reading Town Centre, where you can make a meaningful impact on the community while enjoying a varied outdoor role.
Reading Borough Council

Contact Detail:

Reading Borough Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Driver/Sweeper (Start 7.30am)

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the Streetscene Team! Research their values and recent projects. When you chat with them, drop in some knowledge about their work to show you're genuinely interested.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice your driving skills and get familiar with the vehicles you'll be using. If you can, take a quick spin in similar machinery before the interview to boost your confidence!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for questions about teamwork and handling challenges outdoors. Think of examples from past jobs where you’ve tackled tough situations or worked well with others.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.

We think you need these skills to ace Driver/Sweeper (Start 7.30am)

Cat: B or C1 UK driving licence
Vehicle Operation
Street Cleansing Equipment Operation
Manual Sweeping
Health and Safety Compliance
Equipment Maintenance
Environmental Awareness
Record Keeping
Team Collaboration
Adaptability to Outdoor Work
Problem-Solving in Environmental Emergencies

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Driving Skills: Make sure to highlight your Cat: B or C1 UK driving licence in your CV or application form. We need to know you’ve got the right qualifications, so don’t forget to mention it upfront!

Keep It Clean and Clear: When writing your application, be clear and concise. Use straightforward language to describe your experience with street cleansing or driving machinery. We want to see how you can contribute to keeping our streets clean!

Demonstrate Your Reliability: We’re looking for reliable team players! Share examples of your past work where you’ve shown commitment and hard work. This will help us see that you’re the right fit for our Streetscene Team.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you understand the role of a Driver/Sweeper inside out. Familiarise yourself with the specific duties mentioned in the job description, like operating street cleansing equipment and maintaining high cleanliness standards. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.

✨Show Off Your Experience

If you've got experience driving tippers or using mechanical sweeping machinery, make sure to highlight this during your interview. Prepare examples of how you've handled demanding outdoor work and any relevant vehicle maintenance knowledge. This will demonstrate that you’re the right fit for the job.

✨Be Ready for Practical Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to respond to environmental emergencies. Think about scenarios where you had to act quickly or deal with unexpected challenges in previous jobs. Practising these responses can give you an edge in the interview.

✨Emphasise Teamwork and Safety

Since you'll be working as part of a team, it’s important to convey your ability to collaborate effectively. Discuss any past experiences where you worked closely with others to achieve a common goal. Also, be prepared to talk about your understanding of health and safety regulations, as this is crucial in maintaining a safe working environment.

Driver/Sweeper (Start 7.30am)
Reading Borough Council
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