Student Casual – Sustainability Support Operative – Facility Services – Grade 2 – 907737

Description

Post title	Sustainability Support Operative
College/Division	Campus Services
School/Department	Facility Services
Full time/Part time	Part time
Duration of the Post	11/01/2027 – 01/02/2027
Grade	2
Hourly rate	£13.45 per hour plus holiday entitlement
Number of positions available	5
Closing Date	20/11/2026 at 23:55

Please note that this vacancy may be taken down early depending on the number of applications received. We advise you to submit your application promptly.

Our offer to you

At the University of Birmingham, Worklink is the dedicated student employment service which helps students to find flexible, well paid part-time roles that fit around your studies. Each year, the University invests more than £2.5 million to employ 3,000 of our own students in a wide range of roles, supporting our student community into part-time work. Roles available via Worklink include a range of positions, including administrative roles, support staff such as cleaners or baristas, research roles and many more.

Jobs through Worklink help you to gain work experience, develop skills relevant for your future career, and improve your soft and hard skills in a professional setting. Enhance your CV and get valuable experience ready for graduate roles and feel connected to your university and local community.

Our jobs are flexible and can be scheduled around your academic commitments, so you can focus on your studies first. Our team are passionate about supporting students into work. Worklink are based in a central location on campus which is easily accessible for students and can also be contacted online.

Find out more about working through Worklink here or via the student intranet.

Job Context

People are at the heart of what we are and do.

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Job Summary

The Sustainability Support Operatives will support Facilities Management within Campus Services during a trial of changes to waste and recycling bins across the University campus. The role will help improve waste segregation by being present at designated bin stations and guiding campus users on which materials belong in each bin.

The post is a practical and public-facing role suited to a student looking to contribute to the University's sustainability work. The postholder will work as part of a team and follow site approved guidance on the University's waste streams.

You will be based at designated bin stations during agreed shifts and help staff, students and visitors use the revised waste and recycling arrangements correctly. You will explain which materials go in each bin using the information provided, encourage correct segregation in a friendly and respectful way, and report recurring questions or problems. You will not be expected to open bins or sort waste.

Main Duties

1. Be present at assigned bin stations during agreed shifts and engage with campus users as they dispose of waste.
2. Give clear, polite and consistent guidance on which materials belong in each bin, using the approved signage and information provided.
3. Answer routine questions about the waste streams and the types of waste that can be accepted.
4. Work cooperatively with colleagues and other campus teams to support the bin-change trials.
5. Attend all team briefs and training as required and to contribute constructively.
6. You will need to be flexible in terms of working patterns.
7. Treats everyone with dignity and respect in line with current equality legislation.

Person Specification

• A reliable, approachable and positive manner.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to speak and engage with campus users.

• Ability to explain simple information clearly and consistently.

• Ability to follow instructions, approved waste-sorting guidance and safety procedures.

• Ability to work independently at an assigned location while remaining in contact with the wider team as needed.

• Good attention to detail when observing bin stations and reporting issues.

• An interest in sustainability or waste reduction is welcome but not essential – role-specific guidance will be provided.

Further Information

• Availability to attend a one-hour training session w/c 11^th Jan, ready for role to start w/c 18^th Jan 2027.

• The role is for a two-week period, with shifts largely scheduled across weekdays, with some weekend periods.

• Most shifts will be around lunchtime (e.g. 10.30am–2:30pm) or early evening (e.g. 5:30–7pm); weekend shifts are likely to be around lunchtime 12:30–2:30pm (all hours and schedule TBC). Hours will vary and shift days/times will be agreed in advance.

For any informal queries, please contact Rosie Davies (e.davies.7@bham.ac.uk)

The University of Birmingham restricts all students to working up to 20 hours per week during term time for a maximum of 13 consecutive weeks. If your application is successful and your course does not follow the usual academic term timetable (e.g. PGT, PGR or PhD student), you and your supervisor must formally agree vacation periods if this role exceeds 20 hours per week. In addition to this, please be aware if you are an international student you will be required to apply to the Registry for the appropriate authorised absence.

You are only eligible to apply to this role if you are a current University of Birmingham student. If you are not a University of Birmingham student your application will not be considered.

To work you will need to carry out a right to work check. These checks will need to be completed prior to work commencing.

Regarding the use of AI in applications, we review hundreds of applications and shortlist candidates based on their unique perspective, motivations and potential. Cover letters generated through, or edited by, AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT or CoPilot) are easy to identify. They produce generic answers and will not score highly enough to progress. You may use AI tools for research, but all written content in your application must be your own work. Authenticity and originality are key to standing out in this process.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we’re unable to contact all applicants individually. You can check the progress of your application by logging into the Worklink jobs portal using the same email address you used to apply. If you haven’t heard back within six weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.