Vacancy Details

Waste & Recycling Collection Operative (“Loader”)

 Salary: £26,717 – £27,983
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours

Every household in the district depends on waste and recycling collections.
Our crews keep that service running — and we’re looking for reliable Loaders to join the team.

Working from our Dunbrik Depot, you’ll be part of a small collection crew delivering an essential service residents rely on every day.

This is an active outdoor role where teamwork, safety and reliability are key. If you enjoy practical work, being part of a small team and doing a job that makes a real difference to the community every day, this could be the role for you.

What you’ll be doing

• Working as part of a collection crew delivering household waste and recycling collections
• Emptying wheeled bins, sacks and food waste caddies safely using specialist vehicle mechanical equipment
• Completing scheduled collection rounds and handling containers in line with safe systems of work
• Supporting the collection driver to maintain a safe working environment for the crew and the public
• Providing a polite and helpful service when interacting with residents

What you’ll bring

• Reliability and punctuality
• A strong team approach
• A willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• The ability to carry out physical work safely and responsibly

Full training and equipment will be provided.

Why work with us?

You’ll be joining a professional frontline team delivering a vital public service. We operate a team task-and-finish working pattern (7am–3pm, Monday - Thursday and 7am - 2.30pm on a Friday), meaning where rounds are completed safely and to the required standard there is often the opportunity to finish earlier while receiving normal pay.

Benefits include:

• Local Government Pension Scheme – a defined benefit pension, with the employer contributions significantly higher than most private-sector schemes
• Annual leave plus bank holidays

• Overtime opportunities
• 24 days annual leave per year (plus bank holidays), increasing to 29 after five years
• Employee counselling and wellbeing support service
• Free on-site parking at place of work
• Access to employee benefits and discounts on shopping, travel, days out and more,
• Access to BUPA Employee Assistance Programme providing free, confidential 24/7 counselling and wellbeing support

The role includes working eight Saturdays following bank holidays each year to support service recovery.

Want to find out more?
For an informal discussion please contact Jim Moultrie, Transport & Depot Operations Manager, on 01732 227428.

Closing Date: 22 March 2026
Interview Date: TBC

Equal Opportunities

Sevenoaks – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Sevenoaks District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

How to apply

Please apply online (see below). If this is not possible, please contact a member of the HR team by either emailing recruitment@sevenoaks.gov.uk or contacting us on 01732 227383 to discuss how we can assist you in applying.