Waste and Recycling Labourer Full Time

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading – we might be the perfect match.

We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.

We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.

At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

The Highways & Waste team are responsible for ensuring that Gateshead is a safe and attractive place in which people can live, work and spend free time. From waste strategy, including collection and recycling to the maintenance of our highways and street lighting. You’ve probably also noticed significant investment in the restoration of the Tyne Bridge, and our Highways team continue to play a pivotal role in that restoration project of a local landmark.

About The Role.

Gateshead Council is seeking to appoint a number of Refuse and Recycling Driver Labourers to join the Waste Services team. The role involves undertaking refuse and recycling collections as a driver and a labourer.

This is a four-day service working Tuesday to Friday 7:30 17:15.

What You’ll Get To Do

• To undertake refuse and recycling collections as a labourer as directed by management.
• To work effectively within a team environment, ensuring high standards of service are maintained at all times.
• As a labourer, ensuring completion of daily work and reporting any operational issues that cannot be resolved immediately to management.
• To use technology that is required to perform the role and be instrumental in its development.
• To assist in the training and development of staff and to undertake such personal training as may be deemed necessary to meet the duties and responsibilities of the post.
• Continuously work in a way that contributes to the wider collective objectives of both the service and the Council.
• Always maintain a customer service excellence approach to work, by proactively engaging with residents, visitors and partnering organisations.
• To take reasonable care of your own health and safety and co-operate with management so far as is necessary to enable compliance with the Authority’s health and safety policy and legislative requirements.
• To maintain a good level of personal health and fitness as required by the statutory responsibilities of the driving licence. This will include regular medicals and assessments throughout the year.
• To maintain and report any defects on any equipment that you are required to use as part of your role. This will include the correct use of such equipment, plant or vehicles at all times.
• To ensure that all customers both internal and external, receive a consistently high-quality level of service, commensurate to the standards required by Gateshead Council.

What You’ll Bring

• Ability to demonstrate basic numeracy and literacy skills in line with the requirements of the role.
• Understanding of how to provide good customer service.
• Ability to demonstrate effective communication skills.
• Experience of working in an operational environment.
• Experience of driving refuse and recycling vehicles.
• Demonstrable commitment and passion for delivering highquality services.
• Demonstrable flexibility and adaptability in the workplace.

What’s In It For You

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).

Our commitment to you

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. At Gateshead Council we are an employer who embraces, and welcomes diversity, who’s truly inclusive and who demonstrates equality for all. We’ll go the extra mile so that our approach is representative of the communities we serve and each other. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

How To Apply

You can apply online using the link below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications.

We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying.

If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via

Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.

Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.