At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a team collecting waste and recycling, keeping Walsall clean and green.
- Company: Walsall Council, dedicated to community service and environmental care.
- Benefits: Flexible casual hours, competitive pay, and outdoor work experience.
- Other info: Great opportunity for flexible work with potential for future roles.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while enjoying varied outdoor work.
- Qualifications: Reliability, teamwork, and a positive attitude are key; experience is a bonus.
The predicted salary is between 27274 - 29071 £ per year.
Salary: G4: £27,274- £29,071 pro-rata to hours worked. Casual hours – Monday to Friday working (annualised hours), in line with the Clean & Green Services Local Agreement.
Are you reliable, practical, and happy working outdoors as part of a busy crew? Join our Waste Collections team and help keep Walsall’s waste and recycling services running smoothly.
About the Role
As a Waste Collections Operative, you will work as part of a collection crew delivering essential services across the borough. Duties will vary, but typically include:
- Collecting household waste, recycling, and seasonal garden waste.
- Supporting assisted collections for residents who need extra help.
- Collecting commercial waste and recycling from local businesses where required.
- Loading and unloading waste safely and efficiently, keeping the round moving.
- Returning bins neatly and treating residents and colleagues with respect.
- Reporting issues such as contamination, damaged bins, missed collections, or access problems, following local procedures.
You’ll be working outdoors in all weathers, in a role that involves regular walking, lifting, pulling, pushing, and working to set times. Health and safety is central to the job, including safe working around vehicles, traffic, and members of the public.
Casual Hours – How It Works
This is a casual role, so your hours are flexible and offered based on service need. Work can be offered any day Monday to Sunday, including early starts, weekends, and Bank Holidays. Shifts may change week to week and can be offered at short notice to cover:
- sickness and annual leave,
- peak periods and seasonal demand,
- service pressures where extra crews are needed.
There is no guaranteed set pattern of hours, but you’ll be contacted when shifts are available. This suits someone who can be flexible and is keen to pick up work when it comes up.
About You
We’re looking for someone who:
- Is reliable, punctual, and ready to work as part of a team.
- Can follow instructions and work safely at pace.
- Understands the importance of customer service and representing the Council positively.
- Can carry out physical outdoor work and manual handling safely.
- Has good awareness of health and safety, including working near vehicles and on the highway.
Experience in waste collection, street cleansing, grounds maintenance, or other outdoor/manual work is helpful, but not essential if you have the right attitude.
Need to know more? View Job Description and Employee Specification
Closing Date: 24th September 2026
Please note: This post may be closed earlier than the published closing date should we receive a large number of applications.
Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them.
Please see our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information.
We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting agency applications or referrals at this time.
This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.
At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole – particularly your ‘Supporting Information’ – reflects your own voice.
Waste Collections Operative- Ref: EE09326 in Walsall employer: Walsall Council
Walsall Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. As a Residential Childcare Worker, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children in care while benefiting from competitive pay, including additional compensation for sleep-ins, and access to ongoing training and professional growth within a dedicated team environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Waste Collections Operative- Ref: EE09326 in Walsall
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Local Events
Look for local trade fairs or skilled trades expos in your area. These gatherings are perfect for networking and meeting potential employers like Walsall Council who might be looking for temporary workers. Plus, it’s a great way to showcase your skills directly!
✨Tap into Trade Networks
Joining local trade associations can be a game changer. Not only do they often have job boards, but they also run events where employers are seeking temporary talent in the skilled trades field. It’s a chance to meet people who know about upcoming vacancies personally!
✨Leverage Online Job Boards Specific to Your Trade
Make sure to explore online job boards that cater specifically to skilled trades. Websites like Direct 2 Job and TradeSkills4U often have temporary positions listed. Keep an eye on these for bursts of hiring in peak seasons—there’s always demand around renovation times!
✨Apply Quickly and Show Up in Person
When applying for temporary roles, speed can be key. If you see a role you like, like one at Walsall Council, don’t just send in your application; follow up with a phone call or even a visit. It shows proactivity and can leave a strong impression on employers!
We think you need these skills to ace Waste Collections Operative- Ref: EE09326 in Walsall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:In the skilled trades, it’s all about showcasing your hands-on abilities. Make sure your CV highlights specific trade skills you’ve mastered, along with any relevant certifications or training programmes you've completed. This is your chance to shine, so don’t hold back!
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Since this is a temporary role, we want you to focus on your most relevant experience. Tailor your CV to emphasise the projects or roles that align with the specific skills needed for the position at Walsall Council. Less fluff, more actionable details!
Mention Your Availability:In your cover letter, let us know your availability and willingness to start right away. Since this is a temporary position, we want to hear how you can jump in and make an impact quickly. Be clear about when you can start and how flexible you can be.
Share Your Work Portfolio:If you've got a portfolio or evidence of past projects, include it! We love to see the tangible results of your skilled work. Whether it's photos or detailed descriptions of your previous jobs, sharing this with us can really set you apart from the competition.
How to prepare for a job interview at Walsall Council
✨Show Off Your Skills
Since you’re diving into a temporary position in skilled trades, make sure to highlight your relevant hands-on experience. Bring along a portfolio of your past projects or photos showing your skillset in action. This isn’t just about what you say; it’s about showing what you can do as well!
✨Prepare for Practical Assessments
Get ready for some on-the-job assessment during the interview. Be prepared to demonstrate your technical skills, whether it’s through a practical test or skills assessment. Brush up on common tools and techniques specific to your trade, so you can showcase your competence confidently.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, companies often look for candidates who can hit the ground running. Be ready to discuss your availability and willingness to adapt to different projects or working conditions. Emphasize your eagerness to learn quickly and make a positive impact right away.
✨Communicate Your Team Spirit
In skilled trades, being part of a team is often crucial. Make sure to talk about your past experiences working collaboratively with colleagues. Whether it's sharing a tool or problem-solving on site, show that you understand the importance of teamwork in getting the job done efficiently at Walsall Council.
