Attendant - Req24665

Job title: Attendant

Salary: A1 – Basic is SCP 2 to SCP 4 - £22,366 to £23,114 (pro rata) - plus enhancements for weekend and Bank Holiday working and early/late working.

Hours: 36 hours per week on a 4 x 3 shift pattern. Your start and finish times will vary according to if you are working early/core/lates as per service need.

Contract: Permanent

Location: City Centre

Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic service that affects every resident and visitor to Leeds City Centre.

It is important we have a workforce more representative of the communities we serve. We have made significant improvements within our management, team leaders and Environmental Action Officers (enforcement) roles to address this. However our operational part remains largely a male workforce.  We are therefore particularly keen to receive applications from women and other currently under represented groups within our service.

We currently deliver all street cleansing and environmental enforcement services 7 days a week, 24 hours a day within the City Centre.

Leeds City Centre is home to over 1,000 shops, 2000 licensed premises and attracts over 1.5 million visitors years to the City annually – a clean and vibrant City Centre is vital to the continued success of the City and this role is key to help delivering this.

 We want forward thinking, dedicated, passionate staff to come into our service with fresh ideas, experiences and skills; you will be working  as part of a team committed to delivering the best environmental outcomes possible. 

The Council Values and Behaviours are key to how we improve what we do. We want to ensure all our staff are supported through quality one-to-ones and targeted development. 

The Job Description and Specification will provide you with more detail about the job, but what we are looking for /want are people who are:

• Customer and people focussed;
• Able to work outdoors for long periods and in all weather conditions with appropriate protective clothing/equipment
• Carry out a wide range of basic environmental tasks (with training provided where appropriate) including: removal of litter, emptying of litter bins, removal of fly tipping, cleaning up of spillages including human and animal waste, removal of silt and weeds using various tools such as brush, shovel and hoe. Operating machinery such as a strimmer, hedge trimmers and jetting lance. Working on a vehicle (not driving) loading bags and other items. Removal of small scale graffiti and removal of stickers and fly posters. Cleaning and wiping down of litter bins and street furniture. Removal of waste relating to rough sleeping and street users.
• Willing to challenge and come up with alternative solutions to problems;
• Committed to helping change culture and behaviour so that we live the Council Values in all we do;
• Able to work co-operatively with others to effectively deliver high quality work and levels of cleanliness
• Act as an ambassador for Leeds City Council and the City by interacting with visitors, residents and businesses within the City Centre as required.
• Have a great work ethic
• Be flexible in your approach to work and working hours

We operate a 7 day/24 hour service for the residents of Leeds. You will be required as part of the role to work on various shift patterns to cover the 24 hour period of service as required 

The shift days/hours are set out below.  For further information about the hours and shifts please see the contact Charlotte for a chat (details at the bottom of the advert).

The shift is a 4 x 3 working pattern as per below. 

Week 1 – Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday

Week 2 – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

You will work an average 36 hour week which will be split over an Early shift (for a fortnight) and then a Late shift (for a fortnight). This then alternates throughout the year. If you are required to work a different shift you will be given reasonable notice to change.

You will receive additional monthly payment for working shifts and every other weekend.   You will also receive several days’ extra annual leave in compensation of bank holidays which are worked as a “normal” working day lieu days - which if used wisely can be a real help. For example, if you book the Monday and Tuesday as annual leave you could have 7 clear days off work.

If you are interested but would like to know more about the role, please do not hesitate to contact Simon Norman– Team Leader on 0113 3785770 or via e-mail – simon.norman@leeds.gov.uk

The working shift pattern is one which can provide flexibility in balancing family and personal commitments with the needs of the job.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. 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. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK  - 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 and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description 

Job purpose: To work as part of a local team providing a range of streetscene services to local communities. To show initiative, commitment and enthusiasm to ensure services provided are responsive and combine effectively to meet customer needs

Responsibilities 

• To carry out a range of street scene based tasks including:

(i)         STREET CLEANING

• Empty and effectively clean litter bins and liners.  
• Weed removal using manual and mechanical means such that weed regrowth is prevented.  
• Effectively clean up and wash pavements using the equipment provided. 
• Effectively Clean street furniture 
• Remove  Snow and ice from pavements as directed.

(ii)        MANUAL SWEEPING 

• Lift and remove all detritus from the highway that can be achieved by hand brushing/sweeping and manual sweeping equipment. This to include areas of kerb edges, footpath edges, traffic islands etc and will include offensive detritus such as dog fouling. 

(iii)      FLY TIP REMOVAL

• Remove fly-tipped material off the highway and other identified areas of land
• Removal of all items as directed, including loose materials, animal carcases, large items, gas bottles etc and safely load these onto the collection vehicle where required. 
• Report hazardous material fly-tipped on the highway e.g. asbestos, chemicals etc

(iv)      COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT WORKS

• In addition to (i) – (vi) above
• Carry out basic horticultural work e.g. basic pruning, trimming overhanging bushes etc. to facilitate the street cleansing functions above to be completed satisfactorily. Duties in line with level 1 horticultural training
• Record and report environmental issues as required.
• Carry out basic street audits, for example on waste in gardens, excessive graffiti, excessive weed growth, fly posting, fly tipping etc.
• Fit litter bins using both electrical tools and manual tools as required.

Note: Whilst staff are expected to show flexibility with regard to the above tasks they will only be carried out following an assessment of competency and with the provision of any required training or supervision. A full list of required competencies accompanies this job description and will be used as part of a personal development plan discussed with individual employees on a regular basis.

• To ensure that work carried out in 1 above is of high quality, carried out safely and professionally and enhances the reputation of the service and the Council.
• To work effectively with all colleagues across the Council in order to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and quality within local environments as is possible.
• To work in a way showing initiative and enthusiasm for the job in hand and an understanding of its impact on the quality of life of local residents and visitors alike.
• To maintain an awareness and understanding of local environmental quality issues and report any defects identified e.g. graffiti, pot-holes, overhanging trees, unauthorised fly-posting, damaged street furniture, blocked gullies etc.
• To maintain competency and knowledge for the work of the post by undergoing relevant training and development e.g. on the job or external training courses.
• To ensure that all work is undertaken in accordance with established health and safety procedures and to report defects or safety concerns identified to the appropriate manager.
• To carry out all work with the highest standards of behaviour and conduct thereby reflecting the importance of the role as an ambassador for the City and the Council. In particular, to respond courteously and professionally to requests from members of the public, other Council Officers, Elected Members etc.
• To ensure that essential records relating to the work of the post e.g. timesheets, job requests, safety documents etc. are completed fully, promptly and accurately.
• To ensure that all resources used e.g. equipment, machinery and buildings etc. are kept safe, in good order and condition, and are not exposed to the risk of loss, damage or theft.
• In addition to the vehicle checks, to keep any vehicles used clean and tidy both inside and out.
• To carry out such other duties that reasonably correspond to the general character of the post and are consistent with its level of responsibility.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills

• Able to quickly learn new tasks and follow instructions
• Able to work with others co-operatively and effectively to deliver high quality work and levels of cleanliness
• Able to work under pressure and to high standards in terms of time and work quality
• Able to work outdoors for long periods and in all weather conditions with appropriate protective clothing/equipment
• Able to carry out work which requires ongoing considerable physical effort possibly with some heavy lifting
• To be able to determine the depth of cleansing required in any situation to achieve satisfactory levels of street cleanliness, rather than merely following a schedule, regardless of the need

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics 

• Commitment to the delivery of high quality services
• Commitment to achieving high standards of street cleanliness, in collaboration with all colleagues
• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct. 
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• 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 comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.  
• 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 for the post.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates. 

Qualifications

• Basic numeracy and literacy
• Driving licence

Experience

• Experience of environmental maintenance tasks relevant to the work of the post
• Knowledge and use of tools and equipment 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
• Working alone and with minimal supervision

Skills

• Able to use hand tools and equipment safely, efficiently and skilfully
• You will be required to work a 10 and a half hour working shift (with 30 minutes unpaid lunch break).

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