Your New Organisation

Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.

Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovate environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work life balance. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

Your new role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Recycling Support Officers (X4) to join the Recycling and Resource Team on a full time and fixed term contract basis (12 months). This role is predominantly field based within the Southend-on-Sea City area (including the waste transfer station and depots), with a blend of working from home and attending the office for the remaining time (initial training will be based at the civic centre, on site or home based).

As a Recycling Support Officer, you will provide field-based contract monitoring and customer engagement support during the mobilisation of the City's new recycling and waste collection and street cleansing contract from April 2025, and transition to a new wheeled bin alternate weekly recycling scheme in October 2025. You will provide on-site, face-to-face presence and support with resolving issues for residents, councillors, landlords, managing agents, housing associations and businesses to capture local contexts/considerations. Monitoring will also be a key function to ensure that equal access to services and quality services are delivered. This will include inputting into appeals/review processes, and supporting and engaging residents and businesses to recycle more.

You will principally be working out on site across the City so will need to be comfortable working in all weathers, with the ability to move around the city quickly and easily. Your role will play a crucial part in ensuring the success of both the new contract and then the roll-out and bedding-in of the new enhanced recycling scheme. Your regular proactive and reactive site inspections and assessments will drive performance of the services across the Southend-on-Sea City area and ensure that we reach our 65% recycling target by 2035.

It is desirable to hold a Driver Licence and pool cars are available for use.

To meet the requirements of the role, post holder will be required to attend occasional evening meetings and some early starts from 7am.

What you'll need to succeed

To be successful in this role, previous experience of working in Recycling and Waste Management, Contract Management or a similar field will be highly desirable, including some knowledge of waste industry legislation and best practice. It is essential that you can problem solve and use your analytical skills to resolve issues and complaints, as well as interpret and report data trends from raw data. You must have high standards of oral and written communication and be able to effectively engage with all stakeholders - this includes being able to manage difficult conversations and complaints and ensuring successful outcomes with an excellent level of customer care. You must be able to prepare, record and maintain accurate monitoring reports.

Prioritising and planning a demanding and mixed workload will be important, as will an organised, methodical and detail-focussed approach. You will be joining a close-knit team which balances team work, working under instruction and working under one's own initiative on a day-to-day basis - so you will need to be adept at doing this too. It is essential that you can communicate and collaborate with others and establish positive relationships including with the public and the local elected members.

This role will suit individuals that have previously worked in the building and construction industry, communications, highways, enforcement, parks services or retail services, or any similar role requiring a methodical, practical and problem solving skills and excellent communication and organisation skills.

What you'll get in return

When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the "Why Work For Us?" tab.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.

For a copy of the JD, please click here

Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.

Application Deadline: 24th Of Jan

Interview Dates: 6th and 7th of Feb

The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.

South End City Council

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