At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive and assist in refuse and recycling collections while ensuring high service standards.
- Company: Join Gateshead Council's Waste Services team, committed to community and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous leave, flexible hours, and a great pension scheme.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Full UK Driver’s Licence, LGV Class 2, and a passion for customer service.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About the role
Gateshead Council is seeking to appoint a number of Refuse and Recycling Driver Labourers to join the Waste Services team. The role involves undertaking refuse and recycling collections as a driver and a labourer. This is a five‑day service working Monday to Friday 7:30 – 15:30.
What you’ll get to do
- To undertake refuse and recycling collections as a driver and a labourer as directed by management.
- To work effectively within a team environment, ensuring high standards of service are maintained at all times.
- As a driver; to be responsible for any crew members allocated to you, and the vehicle, ensuring completion of daily work and reporting any operational issues that cannot be resolved immediately to management.
- To use technology that is required to perform the role and be instrumental in its development.
- To assist in the training and development of staff and to undertake such personal training as may be deemed necessary to meet the duties and responsibilities of the post.
- Continuously work in a way that contributes to the wider collective objectives of both the service and the Council.
- Always maintain a customer service excellence approach to work, by proactively engaging with residents, visitors and partnering organisations.
- To take reasonable care of your own health and safety and co‑operate with management so far as is necessary to enable compliance with the Authority’s health and safety policy and legislative requirements.
- To maintain a good level of personal health and fitness as required by the statutory responsibilities of the driving licence. This will include regular medicals and assessments throughout the year.
- To maintain and report any defects on any vehicles or equipment that you are required to use as part of your role. This will include the correct use of such equipment, plant or vehicles at all times.
- To ensure that all customers both internal and external, receive a consistently high‑quality level of service, commensurate to the standards required by Gateshead Council.
What you’ll bring
- Full UK Driver’s Licence.
- LGV Class 2 (Category C Licence).
- Valid Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
- Ability to demonstrate basic numeracy and literacy skills in line with the requirements of the role.
- Understanding of how to provide good customer service.
- Ability to demonstrate effective communication skills.
- Experience of working in an operational environment.
- Experience of driving refuse and recycling vehicles.
- Demonstrable commitment and passion for delivering high‑quality services.
- Demonstrable flexibility and adaptability in the workplace.
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.
- Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
- Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work‑life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
- 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).
Our commitment to you
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. 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.
Waste and Recycling Driver/Labourer in Gateshead employer: The Borough Council of Gateshead
Gateshead Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and development. With competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and flexible working options, we empower our staff to achieve a healthy work-life balance while contributing to the community. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every team member feels valued and respected, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in public service.
Contact Details:
The Borough Council of Gateshead Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Waste and Recycling Driver/Labourer in Gateshead
✨Connect with Local Logistic Groups
Dive into local transportation and logistics groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. Show up to their meetups if you can – it's a great way to network with industry pros who can share insights, job openings, or even refer you to their own company.
✨Get Behind the Wheel of Job Boards
Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!
✨Leverage Internships & Graduate Schemes
Many companies in transportation and logistics offer graduate schemes and internships that can pave the way to full-time positions. Don't shy away from applying; even a short stint can make a solid impact on your CV and get your foot in the door at companies like The Borough Council of Gateshead.
✨Apply Directly with Us!
When you find openings at great companies, make sure to apply directly through our website. It not only shows your initiative but also helps us to help you get noticed by The Borough Council of Gateshead. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Waste and Recycling Driver/Labourer in Gateshead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at The Borough Council of Gateshead, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at The Borough Council of Gateshead and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into The Borough Council of Gateshead. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Borough Council of Gateshead
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at The Borough Council of Gateshead.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to The Borough Council of Gateshead.
