Overview
Hours: 37 hours, Monday – Friday & 35 hours 4x3 shift roles (enhancement applies)
Location: You will be based at one of four operational bases across Leeds.
As an Environmental Action Operative, you’ll thrive on helping keep our neighbourhoods clean and tidy.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As an Environmental Action Operative, you will bring to the role:
* Able to quickly learn new tasks and follow instructions/route sheets
* Able to use basic hand tools and equipment safely, efficiently and skilfully
* Able to work to deadlines to high standards in terms of time and work quality
* Able to work outdoors for long periods and in all weather conditions/at unsocial hours with appropriate protective clothing/equipment
* Able to carry out work which requires ongoing considerable physical effort possibly with some heavy lifting
About the role
As our next Environmental Action Operative, you’ll be a key member of a local Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team working together across an area of the city. You will carry out street cleansing functions including litter picking, fly-tip removal and some basic grounds maintenance. You may also help empty litter bins and assist with the collection of unwanted bulky items from households.
The job description and specification will provide more detail, but we want people who are able to carry out the types of physical work described above and enjoy the challenge of working outside and in all weathers.
Our teams work as part of an overall “Team Leeds” approach within the Council. It is important that you can work with Council and other public service colleagues to maintain clean and safe streets and open spaces. You will also support local communities, for example by assisting Litter Free Leeds volunteers with the collection of purple bags they have filled with litter.
You will be supported with relevant training and development opportunities, including manual handling/lifting, use of power tools, handling of hazardous materials and other health and safety issues. You will undertake all work in accordance with health and safety procedures and report defects or safety concerns to the appropriate supervisor/manager.
As a front-facing representative of the Council, it is important that you are friendly, customer focused and align with the Council values. You must be prepared to work from any number of zonal bases/areas throughout the City depending on the team you are placed in.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
* a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
* membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
* flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
* a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
* a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job description and duties
Job purpose: To work as part of a multi-skilled local crew providing a range of environmental services to local communities. To show initiative, commitment and enthusiasm to ensure the services provided make a difference by supporting and working with residents and local businesses to keep their neighbourhood clean and improving behaviours in relation to disposing of their waste responsibly.
Duties/Responsibilities
A1 Duties/Responsibilities
To carry out a range of physical tasks to improve the environmental condition and appearance of neighbourhoods on any land as directed, including:
* Cleaning: lift and remove detritus by hand, sweeping and using manual sweeping equipment, including offensive detritus (faeces, vomit, blood and dead animals).
* Empty/re-bag and clean litter bins and liners and dispose of full bags/liners.
* Weed removal to prevent re-growth.
* Clean pavements and paved areas using equipment provided, including street furniture.
* Fit litter bins using electrical and manual tools as required.
* Clean public conveniences as required.
* Clear waste material from gardens, binyards and other land as directed.
Fly tip and household bulky item removal
* Remove fly-tipped and bulky item material as directed and load onto collection vehicle where required.
* Report hazardous material fly-tipped on the highway or other land.
Council housing areas – gardens and community enhancement works
* Record and report environmental issues as required.
* Carry out basic clearing and gardening as required.
Seasonal work
* Manually remove snow, ice, fallen leaves, twigs and small branches from paths/pavements and other land as required.
* Assist with gritting of paths/pavements and other land as required.
Other requirements and training information available within the original scope of duties including health and safety procedures.
Location
The postholder will spend the majority of their working day in the field, working in a defined area as part of a local crew. The locality may change depending on service needs. You may be required to move between locations.
Social conditions
Communication with staff, public, external agencies and ward councillors. Work as part of a small local team and wider locality teams. Flexibility to work with different service areas and sometimes alone.
Economic conditions
The basic salary is within the A1/B1 range. Shift and/or weekend allowances may apply.
Work hours and patterns
Shift based appointments: 4x3 shift pattern as outlined by local arrangements. Typical hours between 06:00 and 17:30 with a 30-minute lunch. Occasional changes to support major events with notice provided.
Non-shift based appointments: 37 hours, Monday to Friday, 7:30am – 6pm with a 30-minute lunch; casual variations possible within flexitime schemes.
Both roles may require additional hours or emergency coverage with appropriate notice and pay in accordance with local terms.
Progression within post
There is a pathway to progress from A1 to B1 grade based on demonstrated ability to meet core B1 duties and two of the non-core duties. New appointments start at an appropriate grade, with progression assessed annually.
Essential requirements
* Basic numeracy and literacy
* Able to quickly learn new tasks and follow instructions/route sheets
* Able to use basic hand tools and equipment safely, efficiently and skilfully
* Able to work to deadlines to high standards in terms of time and work quality
* Able to work outdoors for long periods and in all weather conditions/ at unsocial hours with appropriate protective clothing/equipment
* Able to carry out work which requires ongoing physical effort possibly with some heavy lifting
* Ability to work as part of a team
* Ability to provide a community based service and understand accountability to local people
* Knowledge of and commitment to high quality service delivery when dealing with the public
Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics
* Committed to continuous improvement and council values
* Awareness of Leeds City Council policies
* Health and safety responsibility
* Willingness to participate in training
* Flexible and adaptable to change
* Participation in appraisal and development
* Support equality and diversity and challenge discrimination
* Report concerns to appropriate personnel
* Flexibility to work within the council’s flexibility protocol
Desirable requirements
* Driving licence or relevant licences/qualifications
* Experience with powered/mechanical equipment
* Experience in environmental maintenance tasks
* Experience in area-based team work and working alone
* Effective communication with customers and Councillors
* Ability to collect and collate evidence for enforcement
* Awareness of Highway Code and safe working on roads
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