Hours: 37 hours, Monday – Friday
Contract: Full time, Temporary & permanent
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 be expected to carry out a variety of street cleansing functions including litter picking, fly-tip removal and some basic grounds maintenance. You may also be required to help empty litter bins and assist with the collection of unwanted bulky items from households.
Our teams work as part of an overall “Team Leeds” approach within the Council. It is important that you are able to buy into that ethos and play your role in working effectively with Council and other public service colleagues to maintain clean and safe streets and open spaces. We also value the role local communities play in helping keep their neighbourhoods clean and tidy, and you will provide them with help as required; for example, supporting local Litter Free Leeds volunteers with the collection of purple bags they have filled with litter.
You will be supported in your role with relevant training and development opportunities, including training relating to 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 you identify to the appropriate supervisor/manager.
As a front-facing representative of the Council, it is particularly important that you are 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 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 are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
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, candidates must consider their own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the 'standard' salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. For more information visit Skilled Worker visa on the government website. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
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.
Essential requirements
It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the 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 considerable physical effort possibly with some heavy lifting
* Ability to work as part of a team
* Ability to provide a community-based service and understand that the service is accountable to local people
* Knowledge of and commitment to the delivery of high-quality services and the standards expected when dealing with members of the public
Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics
* Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
* Be aware of and be able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies.
* Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety.
* Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities
* Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
* Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
* Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality & diversity.
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
* The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements
It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements; however, these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
* Possession of licences/qualifications relevant to the work of the post e.g. driving licence
* Experience of using powered and mechanical equipment relevant to the work of the post
* Experience of environmental maintenance tasks relevant to the work of the post
* Work in an area-based team showing initiative and understanding of the impact of the work carried out
* Experience of working alone and with minimal supervision
* Ability to collect and collate evidence and data for enforcement teams which may result in successful prosecutions
* Awareness of the Highway Code and safe working on high-speed road networks and arterial routes
* Ability to communicate effectively with customers and Councillors
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