Waste Collections Operative

Temporary Contract

Job Details

Client: Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Service Area: Prosperity, Development & Frontline Services / Residual Waste / Streetcare Waste Operations

Hours: 37 hours per week

Working Pattern:
Monday to Friday: 07:00 – 15:00

Start Date: 17 June 2026
End Date: 19 August 2026

Contract Reason: Annual leave cover

Location

Depot / Work Base:
Ty Glantaff
Pontypridd
Rhondda Cynon Taf
CF37 5TT

Pay

PAYE Rate: £13.90 per hour

Job Overview

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is seeking Waste Collections Operatives to support municipal waste and recycling collection services across the borough.

The role will involve collecting waste and recycling on a daily basis in line with shift patterns, supporting collection crews, using equipment safely, assisting with reversing duties, responding to basic customer queries on-site, and helping ensure rounds are completed safely and effectively.

This is a hands-on outdoor role requiring good reliability, physical fitness, health and safety awareness, and the ability to work as part of a waste collection team.

Important – Please Read Carefully

This is a physical waste collection role.

You must be comfortable working outdoors, walking for long periods, loading and moving bins/waste, using mechanical bin lifts safely, wearing PPE, assisting with reversing duties and dealing politely with members of the public.

Candidates who are not comfortable with early starts, outdoor manual work and refuse/recycling collection duties are unlikely to be suitable.

Key Responsibilities

• Collect municipal waste and recycling across Rhondda Cynon Taf
• Work safely as part of a refuse/recycling collection crew
• Follow daily collection routes and shift working patterns
• Assist with the safe use of mechanical bin lifts and related equipment
• Carry out reversing assistant duties where required
• Wear and use PPE correctly at all times
• Report complex problems to the Collection Team Leader
• Respond to basic customer queries on-site
• Liaise with the public where needed to help complete rounds safely
• Deliver recycling bags to distribution points if required
• Support reporting on recycling participation figures when requested
• Assist the Area Manager and Collection Team Leader with service priorities
• Undertake snow, ice clearance or other duties during inclement weather
• Support changing operational priorities, including breakdowns and road closures
• Represent a positive image of the Council to members of the public
• Follow all Council health and safety policies and procedures

Essential Experience & Skills

• Experience in waste collection, refuse loading, recycling, cleansing, street services, manual labour or similar outdoor work
• Comfortable carrying out physically demanding work
• Able to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Good understanding of health and safety procedures
• Ability to use PPE correctly
• Ability to work safely around vehicles and moving equipment
• Able to follow instructions from supervisors and team leaders
• Good teamwork skills
• Reliable and punctual for early starts
• Able to communicate politely with members of the public
• Comfortable dealing with basic customer queries on-site
• Willingness to undertake adverse-weather duties when required
• Able to work 07:00–15:00 from Ty Glantaff, Pontypridd

Desirable

• Previous local authority waste or recycling collection experience
• Experience using mechanical bin lifts
• Reversing assistant / banksman experience
• Manual handling experience
• Experience working in refuse, recycling, street cleansing or environmental services

Additional Information

This order is open to suppliers and requires multiple workers for annual leave cover. The role requires eligibility to work, CV, photo ID, two years' references, criminal convictions declaration and HAV check.

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

RQ1745109