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Refuse Driver
At Reading Borough Council we’re committed to providing a high quality effective and efficient waste collection service. We carry out a full range of domestic, recycling and commercial waste collection services to a high standard, always with an eye to reducing landfill and maximising recycling.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About The Role:
We’re looking for an experienced driver to remove domestic/trade refuse from houses, shops, schools and other domestic or commercial establishments.
Staff are required to work 37 hours per week, 7.4 hours per working day. The standard working day will be between 06:00am until 14:00pm.
The start time may be subject to change in response to the extremes of seasonal weather conditions. The working day includes a 30-minute un-paid rest break, which ACAS specify cannot be taken at the start or end of the day.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
- Driving and being responsible for the refuse vehicle, including daily routine maintenance and wash down.
- Visual inspection of the vehicle and reporting of defects.
- The safe tipping of refuse at disposal sites.
- As chargehand to be responsible for allocated refuse collection crew.
- Excellent customer care skills
- Follow Health & Safety procedures and codes of practice
- To assist with refuse loading when required
Collecting waste is one of the most important responsibilities that we have, so we’re looking for people who share our desire to deliver an excellent waste collection service for our communities.
About you:
- You should be prepared for physically demanding manual work.
- You will have significant experience of manoeuvring HGV in residential environments.
- You will be working in all weathers so a can do and and flexible attitude is a must!
- Hold a clean Class 2 (C) HGV License, and CPC card.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at 19 Bennet Road, Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position please contact, Marcus Hermon, Recycling and Waste Services Manager at Marcus.hermon@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Monday 3rd August 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Setup: In person at 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX
Salary range
- £35,383 - £38,181 per year