Job details
- Salary: £29,766 to £30,229 per annum (inclusive of allowances and overtime)
- Location: Brookvale Depot, Northfleet
- Status: Permanent
- Hours: 37 hours plus 4.5 hours contractual overtime per week
- Closing date: 27 February 2026
The role
The postholder will be assisting in the collecting of refuse/recycling from households within the borough. It is essential the postholder provides a high quality service and flexibility to carryout other duties within waste management.
Responsibilities
- To undertake refuse/recycling collection from all properties listed on route schedule.
- To maintain a good service to the public at all times including:
- Cleaning up any spillages from refuse/recycling sacks, leaving the street clear of rubbish. This includes the collection of bulky furniture.
- Avoid damage to property and injury to persons.
- To behave appropriately and represent the council at all times.
- To deal courteously with the public.
- Avoid any acceptance of liability, personally or on behalf of the council.
- To assist the driver whilst reversing or manoeuvring, by acting as a banks person, by using appropriate hand or spoke instructions, for which training will be provided.
- Instructing any new drivers on the route to be taken.
- To assist in the instruction of new or agency Loaders, reporting any concerns or issues to the HGV Driver or Refuse / Recycling Manager, particularly associated with Health and Safety.
- To deal appropriately with the public over any queries arising from refuse/recycling services.
- To advise the public on any change to collection dates (bank hols etc) and raise awareness of good practice such as not putting bags out to early etc.
- To promote refuse/recycling initiatives with the public, acting as a champion and first point of contact.
- To work as a team to ensure completion of each day’s scheduled work. This may mean going back out to help other crews.
- To execute workmanship to a high standard and ensure it is carried out in strict compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, and any other relevant legislation covering safety in the workplace for self and others.
- Plan and organise the work, materials and equipment according to priorities, the size and complexity of the job, the need to minimise travel and other non-productive time, and the need to keep scheduled appointments.
- Provide supervision and guidance to work experience/ apprentices as and when required.
- To keep supervisory staff aware of progress and problems in a timely manner.
- To carry out gritting, salt spreading and snow clearing, as necessary, during bad weather.
Working for Gravesham
We are committed to delivering to the community and working with us means you are part of delivering the level of growth and improvement our community needs and deserves. A range of services have been provided to over 106,000 people and 4,000 businesses.
The Borough of Gravesham, situated in the north west corner of Kent, covers 25,000 acres of the most varied countryside in south east England. Bordered by the River Thames to the north, it is at the heart of Thames Gateway and has a significant role to play in the regeneration of a major government growth area.
Read more information about working for us.
Benefits
- A minimum of 23 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays.
- Membership to Local Government Pension Scheme - Local Government Pension Scheme
- Career development, training opportunities and access to e-learning
- Access to eye care vouchers and VDU Glasses
- External Occupational Health service
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Access to EAP Services 24/7
- Free parking
Important Information
Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job description.
Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.
If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager, please call Ian Williams on 01474 337548.
How to apply
Please send your CV and covering letter to recruitment@gravesham.gov.uk by 27 February.
If you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.
All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email, if you require documentation in different format such as braille or large print, please contact the Human Resources Team on 01474 337374.