Non Lgv Driver (36 Hrs) - Req24298

As a Non-LGV Driver in Environmental Services you’ll thrive on working in a fast paced environment, dealing with different challenges and priorities in a service that affects every single resident and visitor to Leeds city centre every day.

It’s not just about emptying the bins, or keeping the streets litter free.  It’s about working with people, being proud of what we do and looking after each other and the environment

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.

The city centre is in many ways the shop window to the city and is often the first and last impression that people have of Leeds. The city centre is a major cultural hub with many leisure and visitor attractions. Keeping our city clean and welcoming is vital to both Leeds City Council and key stakeholders especially the City Centre business operators.

The city centre cleansing team works various shift patterns to deliver a wide range of environmental services across the city centre and south bank areas 7 days a week/24 hours a day.

As a Non-LGV driver you will need to be flexible to cover a number of different working patterns which can include being asked to cover various shifts at short notice as per the needs of the service.

You will receive training to be able to drive/operate a number of different types of vehicle to deliver environmental services within this area.

Key requirements
As a Non-LGV Driver you will bring to the role:

• Must have a minimum C1 category driving license or have passed your test before 1997
• Be able to influence and display positive behaviours so that we live the council values in all we do
• Be customer focussed
• Have a great work ethic
• Be flexible in your approach to work
• Be able to work with a wide range of partners to deliver shared outcomes within the city centre and south bank areas
• Be able to work on your own initiative sometimes unsupervised and be accountable for your own workload.
• An up to date CPC is desirable but not essential

More about the role

Environmental Services cover a wide range of functions and altogether has over 830 staff – spanning operational, back-office, supervisory and managerial roles. It’s an exciting time to join us.
The City Centre team has 45 staff spread across various shifts and you will be joining a small pool of multi skilled drivers.

The role involves:

• Driving a wide range of vehicles (once full training has been carried out) including 3.5 ton cage tippers, 7.5 ton cage tippers, Johnstone 202 compact mechanical sweeper, scrub vehicle, wash/graffiti vehicle or small electric caged vehicle (Goupil)
• Working closely with the Chargehand and Assistant Chargehands and other members of the team to deliver the outcome of clean streets
• Emptying litter bins, re-cycling on the go bins, removal of bagged waste, litter and any fly tipping as required.
• Cleaning down of bins and other items of street furniture such as benches and walk it signs
• Removal of human waste, needles and drugs paraphernalia as required once training provided.
• Removal of graffiti, fly posting and stickers
• De-weeding and cutting back/removal of shrubbery/overgrowth
• Removing leaf fall, silt and debris from the public highway
• Removal of rough sleeper waste and supporting our colleagues in the street support team to deal with this issue in a sensitive and understanding way
• Assisting with event clean ups before, during and after to ensure the visitor experience

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
• 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
Apply for this job online. Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words which covers the key requirements as above.

If you are selected to go to the next stage you’ll be invited to a short 10-15 minutes phone call/meeting so we can find about a bit more about you, and you can ask any questions you have about the role. This meeting will form part of the recruitment and selection process. 

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Charlotte Richardson, Area Manager on 0113 3786168 or charlotte.richardson@leeds.gov.uk

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 undertake a range of driving duties (non-LGV) and other streetscene environmental maintenance tasks in support of the overall job purpose. 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 streetscene based tasks including:-

• Side loader driver.
• Bulk loader driver.
• Graffiti, needles and public convenience driver.
• Small mechanical equipment for example: Compact washer /mini-sweeper driver (to note this does include Street King Drivers however, this is vehicle brand name).
• Lightweight compactor driver.
• Bin delivery driver.  

Whilst regularly assisting with and where appropriate providing advice, instruction and training could also include:-

• Street cleaning, including operation of manually operated pedestrian sweepers.
• Manual sweeping and removal of detritus.
• Fly-tip removal.
• Needle picking.
• Graffiti removal.
• Street washing.
• Bulk and side loader attendant.

Note: Whilst officers 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 own work and that of accompanying operational staff 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 deliver instruction, training, advice and guidance to operational staff as and when appropriate.
• To work with other members of the Council’s workforce, including from other services, to combine effectively and 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 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. 
• Where relevant to achieve and maintain appropriate qualifications e.g. driving licences, certificates of competency etc.
• To ensure that all work is undertaken in accordance with established health and safety procedures using issued PPE where appropriate and to report defects or safety concerns identified to area managers or assistant area managers.
• 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. vehicle check sheets, timesheets, job requests, safety documents etc. are completed fully, promptly and accurately.
• To ensure that all resources used e.g. vehicles, 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.
• To carry out such other duties that reasonably correspond to the general character of the post and are consistent with its level of responsibility.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of licences/qualifications relevant to the work of the post e.g. driving licences.
• Basic numeracy and literacy.

EXPERIENCE

• 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.

SKILLS

• Able to quickly learn new tasks and follow instructions/ route sheets.
• Able to show initiative to tackle new tasks quickly, effectively and with a high standard of workmanship.
• Able to guide others effectively to deliver high quality work.
• 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/ at unsocial hours with appropriate protective clothing/equipment.
• Able to carry out work which requires ongoing considerable physical effort possibly with some heavy lifting.

OTHER

• Knowledge of and commitment to the delivery of high quality services and the standards expected when dealing with members of the public.
• Awareness of the Highway Code.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

EXPERIENCE

• 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.