HGV Driver/Loader in Sevenoaks

Our waste and recycling service plays a crucial role in keeping the district clean and safe. We are seeking reliable, professional HGV Driver/Loaders to join our Direct Services team. In this role, you’ll take responsibility for your own round, operating a specialist refuse collection vehicle and working closely with a small crew to deliver a high-quality service our residents depend on every day.

Everything you need to know:

• You will be responsible for the safe operation of a refuse collection vehicle (rigid up to 26 tonnes with rear steer) and the collection of household waste and recycling across a wide range of locations.
• As well as driving, you’ll carry out daily vehicle checks, coordinate collection loaders, record service information using digital in-cab systems, and interact professionally with members of the public.
• You’ll be trusted to make on-the-spot decisions to maintain safety, service quality and efficiency in a dynamic, public-facing environment.
• The role includes working Good Friday and eight Saturdays per year following bank holidays, to support service recovery.

What you will be doing:

• Safely driving and operating a specialist refuse collection HGV across a wide range of environments, including residential streets, town centres and rural roads.
• Carrying out daily and ad-hoc vehicle safety checks and reporting defects promptly.
• Completing all scheduled household waste and recycling collections to a high standard of service quality and presentation.
• Engaging professionally with residents, responding to queries and managing challenging situations calmly and respectfully.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety procedures, safe systems of work, road traffic requirements, environmental standards and Council policies.
• Completing statutory and operational records, including defect reports, tachograph records and route documentation.

What you will bring to the role:

• LGV (Class C) driving licence
• Valid Driver CPC and Digital Tachograph Card
• A safe and responsible driving record
• Willingness to work in an operational waste and recycling environment, handling household waste safely and professionally
• Able to undertake physically demanding outdoor work, including manual handling, repeated access in and out of vehicles, and working in all weather conditions.
• A dependable and professional attitude
• Experience in waste collection or similar operational roles is desirable but not essential, as full training will be provided.

Why work with us?

We’re proud to be a high-performing local authority delivering essential services that residents rely on every day. You’ll be joining a professional and supportive team where safety, teamwork and respect are at the heart of everything we do. We operate a well-established team task-and-finish working pattern, with standard hours of 07:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday. This provides consistent working hours and, where work is completed safely and to the required standard, the opportunity to finish earlier while receiving normal pay. You’ll be doing meaningful, practical work that makes a real difference to the community every single day. No two rounds are the same, and the role offers variety, responsibility and job satisfaction. We are one of the few local government authorities to hold Platinum Investors in People accreditation, reflecting our ongoing commitment to supporting and developing our workforce.

What’s in it for you?

• Occasional overtime, paid at enhanced rates in line with national terms.
• 28 days annual leave per year (excluding bank holidays)
• Additional leave after 5 years’ of service
• Paid training, including Driver CPC funded by the Council
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) – a defined benefit pension, with the employer contributions significantly higher than most private-sector schemes
• Free on-site parking at place of work
• Access to employee benefits and discounts on shopping, travel, days out and more
• Access to BUPA Employee Assistance Programme providing free, confidential 24/7 counselling and wellbeing support
• Opportunities to join in with social activities throughout the year