At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive and operate street cleansing vehicles to keep Reading clean and welcoming.
- Company: Join the Streetscene Team at Reading Borough Council, committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, flexible working, and a supportive environment for career growth.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team with excellent career development opportunities.
- 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 work 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
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. You'll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability.
As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you'll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success.
Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
- Work Together as one team: work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
- Drive Efficiency: show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
- Be Ambitious: be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
- Make a Difference to Reading: maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
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.
Interview Date: Tuesday 3rd March
Interview Setup: In person at 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX
Driver/Sweeper (Start 7.30am) in Reading employer: Reading Borough Council
Reading Borough Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where diversity is celebrated. As a Driver/Sweeper, you will enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, and opportunities for professional growth while contributing to the cleanliness and safety of Reading's streets. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and innovation, you'll be part of a dedicated team making a real difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Driver/Sweeper (Start 7.30am) in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Streetscene Team! Research their values and recent projects. When you walk into that interview, show them you’re not just another candidate – you’re someone who genuinely cares about keeping Reading clean and safe.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your driving skills! Since a Cat: B or C1 UK driving licence is essential, make sure you’re comfortable behind the wheel of the vehicles you’ll be operating. Confidence in your driving will shine through during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk about teamwork! This role is all about collaboration, so think of examples where you’ve worked well with others. Show them you can be a reliable team player who contributes positively to the Streetscene Team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and making a difference in Reading.
We think you need these skills to ace Driver/Sweeper (Start 7.30am) in Reading
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. This is a must-have for us, so don’t forget to mention it upfront!
Be Clear and Concise:When filling out your application, keep it straightforward. We love a well-structured application that gets straight to the point, so make sure your experience shines through without any fluff.
Demonstrate Your Team Spirit:We’re all about teamwork here at Reading Borough Council. In your application, share examples of how you’ve worked collaboratively in the past. Show us you can be a reliable part of our Streetscene Team!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.
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 Driving Skills
Since a Cat: B or C1 UK driving licence is essential, be prepared to discuss your driving experience. Bring up any relevant experience you have with similar vehicles or machinery, and if possible, mention any maintenance knowledge you possess. This will demonstrate your capability and readiness for the role.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
This role is all about working as part of a team, so be ready to talk about your previous experiences in collaborative environments. Share examples of how you've worked together with others to achieve common goals, and highlight your adaptability and willingness to support your colleagues.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect some practical questions related to health and safety regulations or how you would handle specific street cleansing scenarios. Brush up on relevant regulations and think through how you would approach various situations. This will show that you take safety seriously and are proactive in your work.
