About the job Waste Collection Assistant (Grade B)
Waste Collection Assistant (Grade B)
Temporary Contract – 12 Weeks – Possibility of Extension
Job Details
Client: Thurrock Council
Service: Place / Street Scene and Leisure / Waste Collection
Grade: B
Matrix Reference: OR121208
Vacancies: 1
Employment: Temporary Contract – 12 Weeks – Possibility of Extension
Start Date: 9 November 2026
End Date: 31 January 2027
Hours: 37 per week
PAYE Rate: £13.76 per hour
Working Pattern and Location
Work base: Oliver Close, West Thurrock, Essex RM20 3ED.
Outdoor mobile waste collection work with the Council's Waste Services team. Exact shift start and finish times have not been provided by the Council and must be confirmed before placement.
Job Overview
Thurrock Council is recruiting a Waste Collection Assistant to support its waste collection service on a temporary assignment. The post is practical and physically active, working as part of a collection team to help keep local collection rounds efficient and safe.
Note: The Council's source vacancy currently says 'Please Add JD'. The practical duties below are typical for this job title and should be confirmed with the hiring team before an offer is made.
Important – Please Read Carefully
This is an outdoor manual labour role. Applicants should be comfortable with physically demanding work, following safe lifting procedures, walking and standing for extended periods, and working in varying weather conditions. No driving licence requirement was specified in the Matrix order. The exact shift pattern has not yet been confirmed.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist waste collection crews on assigned local rounds.
- Help move and present household or commercial waste and recycling containers for collection.
- Support safe loading and collection of waste and recyclable material under team instructions.
- Return bins or containers carefully after collection.
- Follow manual handling, vehicle safety and health and safety procedures.
- Report missed collections, damaged containers, obstructions or safety concerns to the supervisor.
- Work effectively with colleagues to complete scheduled rounds.
- Maintain a courteous and professional approach when dealing with the public.
These are indicative duties based on the job title pending an official Council job description.
Essential Experience and Skills
- Ability to undertake outdoor physical/manual work safely.
- Reliable attendance, punctuality and teamwork.
- Ability to follow supervisor instructions and safe manual handling procedures.
- Good awareness of hazards when working near waste collection vehicles and roads.
- Ability to work 37 hours per week and attend the West Thurrock work base.
Desirable Experience
- Previous refuse collection, recycling, street cleansing, warehouse, labouring or similar manual work.
- Experience working on collection rounds or as part of an outdoor operational team.
- Data Protection Level 1 training (listed as desirable by the Council).
Additional Information
Supplier submission deadline: 6 November 2026.
Maximum candidate submissions per agency: 1.
Documents required at submission: Right to work in the UK, Criminal Convictions Declaration, Confidentiality Agreement, CV and last two employment references.
On offer acceptance: Contract / Key Information Document.
IR35: Inside, according to Matrix.
Disclaimer
On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role.
I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify Fix Space Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.
Job Reference: OR121208
Strict Screening Questions
- Have you previously worked in waste collection, recycling, street cleansing, general labouring or other physical outdoor work?
- Are you comfortable with physically demanding manual work and handling waste containers safely?
- Are you willing to work outdoors in varying weather conditions?
- Can you reliably travel to Oliver Close, West Thurrock RM20 3ED for every scheduled shift?
- Are you available to work 37 hours per week from 9 November 2026?
- Can you follow health and safety instructions while working near roads and collection vehicles?
- Can you supply details for your last two employment references and the required compliance declarations?
- Do you have the right to work in the UK and are you available to start promptly?
Skills
Waste Collection, Refuse Collection, Recycling, Manual Labour, Outdoor Work, Manual Handling, Health and Safety, Teamwork, Public Services