Overview
Hours: 37 hours, Monday – Friday; and 35 hours in 4x3 shift roles (enhancement applies).
Location: Based at one of four operational bases across Leeds.
As an Environmental Action Operative, you’ll help keep our neighbourhoods clean and tidy. Leeds City Council is a large employer with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
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 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. We value people who are able to work outside and in all weathers and who can align with the Team Leeds ethos, collaborating with Council and other public service colleagues to maintain clean and safe streets and open spaces.
You will be supported with relevant training and development opportunities, including training on manual handling/lifting, use of power tools, handling of hazardous materials and other health and safety issues. All work should be undertaken in accordance with health and safety procedures and any defects or safety concerns should be reported to the appropriate supervisor/manager.
As a front-facing representative of the Council, it is important to be friendly, customer focused and live 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 offer a strong 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 support wellbeing and financial wellbeing
How to apply
Please complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice and check your information carefully before submitting. We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from women, carers, veterans, 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 other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job purpose It is to work as part of a multi-skilled local crew providing a range of environmental services to local communities, showing initiative, commitment and enthusiasm to ensure services make a difference by supporting residents and businesses to keep neighbourhoods clean and improve waste disposal behaviours.
Duties/Responsibilities
A1 Duties/Responsibilities
To carry out a range of physical tasks to improve environmental condition and appearance of neighbourhoods on any land as directed, including:
Cleaning
* Lift and remove detritus as directed using hand brushing/sweeping and manual sweeping equipment (including offensive detritus such as faeces, vomit, blood and dead animals).
* Empty/re-bag and clean litter bins and liners; dispose of or collect full white litter bags/liners.
* Weed removal using manual and mechanical means to prevent re-growth.
* Clean pavements and paved areas with provided equipment, including street furniture.
* Fit litter bins using electrical or manual tools as required.
* Clean public conveniences as required.
* Clear waste material from gardens, bin yards and other land as directed.
Fly tip and household bulky item removal
* Remove fly-tipped material and bulky items as directed, and safely load onto the collection vehicle where required.
* Report hazardous material fly-tips on the highway or other land (e.g., asbestos, chemicals).
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, leaves, and debris from paths/pavements and other land as required.
* Assist with gritting of paths/pavements and other land as required.
Additional duties
* Work effectively with Council and other public service colleagues to maintain high cleanliness standards and report defects (e.g., graffiti, potholes, overhanging trees, fly-posting, damaged street furniture, blocked gullies).
* Undergo relevant training and development (e.g., power tools, hazardous materials, health and safety).
* Adhere to health and safety procedures and report safety concerns to the supervisor/manager.
* Maintain professional behaviour and act as a City and Council ambassador.
* Report problems and ensure completion of work is documented as required.
* Keep basic resources safe, in good order, and safeguarded from loss or theft.
* Flexibly perform other duties in line with the post’s general character and responsibilities.
* Comply with all relevant LCC policies and procedures.
B1 Core Duties (in addition to A1)
Progression to B1 will require meeting core B1 duties and at least two of the five non-core duties. Core duties include safety of resources, record-keeping, and community-based tasks to support waste management and behavioural change. Specific core duties include:
* Ensure resources are safe, in good order, and not exposed to loss, damage or theft; help keep vehicles clean
* Ensure essential records are completed accurately (timesheets, safety documents, etc.)
* Carry out basic investigative and community-based tasks to support waste management and monitor service effectiveness
Non-core B1 Duties (2 out of 5 required)
* Use of specialist tools and possible horticultural work (hedges, grass, weeds) and waste removal
* Drive and safely operate fleet vehicles to transport waste
* Drive/mechanically sweep pathways and roads
* Investigate fly tipping and gather evidence for enforcement
* Oversee local activities following instruction to ensure safe and efficient use of staff and resources
Work patterns
Shift-based appointments
Your shift pattern is a 4x3 shift as follows:
Week 1 – Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday
Normal hours typically 10.5 hours per day between 06:00 and 17:30, including a 30-minute lunch break and other breaks as required. Occasional variations may occur to support clean-up after major events; reasonable notice will be provided. You may be required to work bank holidays rostered, with entitlements factored into leave. Non-shift roles: 37 hours Monday–Friday, within 7:30–18:00 (including a 30-minute lunch); start/finish times locally agreed. Occasional variations may occur to support events; flexible within the Council’s flexitime scheme. There may be occasional additional hours paid or included as part of the job, with notice given. In exceptional circumstances, you may be asked to respond out of hours with appropriate compensation rules.
Progression
The postholder may progress from A1 to B1 based on meeting the B1 criteria, assessed through the Council’s appraisal system. New appointments will be assessed during recruitment to determine the starting grade; progression is typically annual.
Essential requirements It is essential that candidates demonstrate the following criteria. Shortlisting requires meeting all essential requirements:
* Basic numeracy and literacy
* Able to quickly learn tasks and follow instructions/route sheets
* Able to use basic hand tools safely and efficiently
* Able to work to deadlines with high-quality output
* Able to work outdoors for long periods and in all weather conditions/at unsocial hours with appropriate protective clothing
* Able to perform physically demanding work
* Ability to work as part of a team
* Ability to provide community-based service and accountability to local people
* Knowledge of and commitment to high-quality public service delivery
Essential behavioural and other characteristics
* Commitment to continuous improvement and to the Best City Ambition
* Awareness of and ability to follow Leeds City Council policies
* Health and safety responsibility in all duties
* Willingness to participate in training and development
* Flexibility to adapt to change and assist other services as required
* Participation in appraisal and development activities
* Support for equality, diversity, and anti-discrimination
* Ability to challenge racism, harassment, and abuse and report concerns
* Flexibility protocol adherence within Council parameters
Desirable requirements
* Licences/qualifications relevant to the post (e.g., driving licence)
* Experience with powered/mechanical equipment
* Experience in environmental maintenance tasks
* Experience in area-based teamwork and working with minimal supervision
* Effective communication with customers and Councillors
* Ability to collect and collate evidence for enforcement
* Awareness of the Highway Code and safe working on high-speed roads
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