Crew Chargehand - Req24673

Job title:Crew Chargehand (driver)

Salary: C1 - £26,421.00 - £28,770.00 (including enhancements £31,469 to £34,266)

Hours: 37 per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Newmarket House 

It’s never been more important and rewarding to work in the world of waste and recycling!

Leeds City Council is proud of our refuse collection staff who deliver this crucial service to every household in the city every week. Each week we typically empty in the region of half a million bins! Only one other council in the whole of the UK collects from more households than us – and no other council collects more garden waste.

We achieve this through a dedicated team of front line staff who work in all conditions, mainly to empty the city’s black, green and brown bins.

Our ambition is to become the best refuse service in the UK – playing our part to support residents, our customers, in the responsible management of their waste.

We currently have a number of Crew Chargehand vacancies in the operational part of our service.

There is usually a Crew Chargehand and two Loaders on each crew, who work together to empty bins across collection routes. Your main role is to ensure all the bins that are presented for collection are safely emptied into the back of the wagon and then taken and placed neatly and safely back, and that any missed bins are recorded on the in cab units. A crew will typically empty around 500-600 bins every day, weighing up to 10 tonnes in total.

You will either be assigned to a crew that works a particular patch or be part of a “pool” to provide cover as and where required. Either way you need to be prepared to work in any part of Leeds, starting between 6:30-7am.

You will work the equivalent of a 37 hour week over the following shift cycle: 

Week 1 - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Week 2 - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 
Week 3 - Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday

About you (some key responsibilities):

As a chargehand you will bring to the role:

• You will hold a minimum of a LGV Class C licence and an up to date Driver CPC card (DCPD). You will be an experienced LGV Class 2 driver with a demonstrable driving history;
• An ability to supervise, support and coordinate a team of staff including the day to day allocation of tasks and ensuring all work is being carried out in a safe and effective manner
• An ability to keep accurate records using in cab technology and written records missed collections and the specific addresses /streets and the reasons why, damaged bins etc
• Able to provide support to the Team Leaders in dealing with any collection issues for example identifying and suggesting solutions to regular access issues, how to increase recycling rates, dealing with problems caused by side waste/overflowing bins etc and to help respond to customer complaints
• Committed to helping change culture and behaviour so that we live the Council Values in all we do;

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

We've built an inclusive place to work, where everyone is welcomed, feels valued and can truly be their authentic self at work. We want our people to be the best they can be, no matter who they are and where they come from. It is important we have a workforce representative of the communities we serve. We have made significant improvements within our management/supervisory posts, however our operational part remains largely unrepresentative. We are therefore particularly keen to receive applications from women and ethnically diverse groups.

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.

How to apply:

If you are interested in the role then please email Kirby Graham at kirby.graham@leeds.gov.uk who will provide you with details on how to apply.

The closing date will be Tuesday 30th April with interviews week commencing Monday 6th May. 

The service will be holding recruitment days that you can attend by registering your interest by emailing Kirby Graham. To apply you will need to fill in a short application form which Kirby will to send you detailing how you meet the key responsibilities. Once completed please return the application form to kirby.graham@leeds.gov.uk.

If successful you will be invited to an open day event at Newmarket House on Tuesday 7th May or Wednesday 8th May. Details will be provided. 

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Nick Normington, Area Manager, 07891275776 or Nicholas.slingsbynormington@leeds.gov.uk 

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. 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

PURPOSE OF JOB

To be responsible for the safe and responsible driving and operation of a household waste collection/refuse wagon so that the crew assigned to that vehicle for the day are able to deliver the required service for customers. To provide a lead role in the crew; supporting the Team Leader by supervising the crew’s daily operations and ensuring any issues that arise during the day are effectively dealt with, so residents of Leeds receive an excellent and reliable, publically delivered, household waste collection service.

RESPONSIBILITIES

To lead on understanding and following the collection route/tasks assigned for each day’s work and ensure completion to level of quality required – for example that assisted collections/wheel-outs are completed, access problems are safely overcome where possible and empty bins are returned in a safe and neat position.

To be part of and supervise/co-ordinate a small team (typically a crew of 2-3) including the day to day allocation of tasks/duties and ensuring work is being conducted in a safe and effective manner. 

To maintain a duty of care to colleagues at crew level.

To be responsible for ensuring you and all assigned crew members have the correct Personal and Protective Equipment (PPE)/training to undertake the daily duties expected and required by Health and Safety procedures of the Service. Including responsibility that requests for replacement PPE or further training requirements are reported through in a timely manner

To ensure the daily tasks allocated are completed in a satisfactory and efficient manner.

Including responsibility for ‘ringing in’ at end of service to report that allocated route/task list is complete and to request permission for loaders to leave vehicle/site.

To work together with other Crew Chargehands under the guidance of the Team Leaders to operate the ‘Buddy system’ and cover ‘slippage’ to ensure there are no missed collections by the end of the scheduled day and that any recovery work is prioritised and picked up within the standard 48 hours.

You will be responsible for ensuring the main in-cab recording system (currently Bartec) is operational at all times and where it is not that is reported immediately.

You will be responsible for ensuring accurate input/recording of all necessary information on the in-cab system is being done; for example crew check-ins, missed collections and the reasons for the non-collection, damaged bins etc.

To provide support to the Team Leader in dealing with waste presentation and collection issues facing the neighbourhoods in which the team is operating. For example helping identify and suggest solutions to regular access issues (such as information on illegally parked vehicles blocking roads), increasing recycling rates, dealing with problems caused by sidewaste/overflowing bins, contaminated bins and households with excess number of bins.

To work under the guidance of a Team Leader in ensuring that the resources available are being deployed in the most effective way, which includes following instructions by your Team Leader/Manager as required.

To help resolve customer complaints, working positively with Team Leaders and responding to customers on site where appropriate.

You will ensure you and your crew abide by and work within the values and behaviours expected by the Council. You and your crew will be courteous to colleagues and members of the public at all times and provide a customer focused service.

Responsibility for the condition and cleanliness of your allocated vehicle; which includes vehicle checks, required routine maintenance (for example oil and water checks) keeping the vehicle in a good clean condition between specialist cleaning. You must report any vehicle defects noticed throughout the course of the day.

You will be responsible for supervising the correct and safe use by the crew of any technology, such as mobile phones, following related procedures

At all times you will drive safely following the Highway Code and as per statutory/legal requirements and be responsible for ensuring all relevant Health and Safety regulations and safe working practices are observed and complied with by the crew; for example Safer Working Instructions 19a and 19b (reversing procedures) 

You will follow disposal site rules when tipping off - this includes going to the allocated sites for tipping off or alternatives as directed.

When not driving, and where practical and safe to do so, secure the vehicle and assist in the collection of waste. This may include for example wheeling out container bins, bagging out, or pulling out normal wheeled bins where required. Examples of where this is likely to be appropriate include emptying large containers at high rise blocks and on routes where there is a bagged collection in place.

Report any appropriate operational issues to management, using technologies where able.

Ensure a high quality service is delivered through responding positively to queries and working well in partnership with internal and external partners including the back office team, contact centre, route development and project teams.

You will work in a supportive environment as part of a wider customer contact team including “back-office” staff, service development staff and contact centre colleagues to ensure a high quality, customer focused public service is delivered.

You will attend training courses as necessary and demonstrate a commitment to keeping up to date with skills and knowledge through self-development.

When available for overtime, you will comply with the overtime protocol.

You will abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post, and as an employee of the Council.

You will take personal responsibility for and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.

You will be flexible and adaptable to change. For example be willing to be trained and available to undertake such as gritting duties when service shut down, e.g. snow days.

As trained, you will be able to drive a variety of vehicles in order to assist other services with driving duties as and when required.

You will undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade, as required It should be noted that this job description is subject to occasional changes to incorporate other commensurate duties and responsibilities in response to organisational change/review and to assist flexibility. The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post as specified by the appropriate Officer.

RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will be required to liaise with members of the Public, staff in other sections of the Department and the Authority and representatives of External agencies.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

You will be based at one of citywide depot at Newmarket House which is located in the Cross Green Industrial Estate.

EMPLOYEE SPECIFICATION Crew Chargehand

Detailed below are the types of skills, experience and knowledge which are required of applicants applying for the post. The “Essential Requirements” indicate the minimum requirements and applicants lacking these attributes will not be considered for the post. The points detailed under “Desirable Requirements” are additional attributes to enable the applicant to perform the position more effectively or with little or no training. They are not essential, but may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Skills

Ability to understand verbal and written instructions and follow daily work patterns

Ability to work as part of a team

Ability to manipulate wheel bins and operate lift mechanisms

Ability to identify and report vehicle defects

Ability to use mobile phones and other in-cab technology such as Bartec

Ability to learn new information and instructions

Ability to work in an area based team showing initiative and understanding of the impact of the work carried out.

Ability to work with minimal supervision to ensure completion of assigned daily tasks by the crew

Ability to supervise, co-ordinate and support staff to get the best out of them

Knowledge/Qualifications

LGV Licence Class C (equivalent to HGV Class 2)

Subject to passing driver assessment

Of the importance of dealing with members of the public in a polite and courteous manner

Awareness of the current Highway Code

Experience

Of driving HGV vehicles

Behavioural and other job related characteristics

Willingness to undertake further training

To wear appropriate clothing as required

Willing to abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy

To carry out all duties having regard to an employees responsibility under the Council’s Health and Safety Policies

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge

Of Health and Safety procedures

Of Quality Assurance procedures

Of the Local Authority

Experience

Of working in a similar environment

Of using equipment manual/mechanical

Of working with interruption which may distract

Of staff supervision and/or organising the work of others