Job Opportunity: Refuse and Cleansing Operative 

Are you a dedicated and hardworking individual passionate about keeping communities clean and safe? Network Recruitment Wales is recruiting for 6 Refuse and Cleansing Operatives to join the Waste Strategy and Operations team in Caerphilly, for a 12-week temporary contract to meet short-term demand. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to an essential frontline service, ensuring the borough’s streets, parks, and public spaces are clean and welcoming!

Role: Refuse and Cleansing Operative
Location: Caerphilly
Contract Duration: 26/08/2025 – 18/11/2025
Hours: 37 hours per week (Monday–Friday, with potential for weekends, Bank Holidays, or alternative shift patterns as directed by Supervisor)
Rate: PAYE: £12.85 per hour | Umbrella: £16.12 per hour
Employment Type: Temporary

Key Responsibilities:Perform cleansing duties, including litter picking, sweeping, and removing waste, detritus, and bulky items from pedestrian areas, grass verges, parks, roads, pavements, wasteland, and public properties.Assist with waste collection rounds, potentially covering up to 2,000 properties per day, including manual loading of waste into vehicles where wheelie bins are not used.Work at Household Waste Recycling Centres, helping the public unload heavy/bulky items, segregating materials for recycling, and keeping sites clean and hazard-free.Undertake yardsman duties, such as driving a forklift truck, loading/unloading vehicles, stock control, and issuing materials or PPE.Operate equipment (e.g., pressure washers, chewing gum removal equipment, strimmers) after training, and perform daily pre/post-maintenance checks on vehicles or plant.Promote waste minimisation, recycling, and environmental initiatives, distributing leaflets and engaging with community events.Provide a customer-focused service, offering information and assistance to residents with sensitivity and professionalism.Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, risk assessments, and safe systems of work.Maintain accurate records of cleansing/collection schedules and report vehicle/equipment defects promptly.Work flexibly, including potential out-of-hours attendance for emergency services or community initiatives.Requirements:Essential:Eligibility to work in the UK.Basic awareness of cleansing/waste management issues.Ability to work individually or as part of a team, delivering a high-quality, customer-focused service.Strong communication skills to engage effectively with residents and handle sensitive or stressful situations with tact and diplomacy.Reasonable numeracy and literacy skills.Flexibility to work weekends, Bank Holidays, overtime, or varying shift patterns (e.g., longer summer shifts, early/late shifts).Physically capable of walking long distances, lifting heavy items, and working outdoors in all weather conditions (including extreme heat, cold, rain, or snow).Trained to Manual Handling Passport Standard (or willing to undertake training).Commitment to council policies, including confidentiality, equal opportunities, and safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.Desirable:Experience in a customer-focused or public service role.Experience driving and maintaining vehicles (full driving licence, LGV 1 or 2 advantageous but not essential).Knowledge of the County Borough and its services.Passes at GCSE or equivalent, or relevant experience.Required Documents at Submission:Photo IDProof of eligibility to work in the UKCriminal Convictions DeclarationConfidentiality Agreement2 years of references/work historyRequired on Offer Acceptance:Health Declaration/QuestionnaireDesirable:Proof of qualificationsWhat We Offer:A rewarding frontline role enhancing the cleanliness and safety of Caerphilly’s public spaces.Opportunity to work in a supportive team under the guidance of a Supervisor.Competitive pay and a structured 37-hour workweek with potential for additional hours.A chance to contribute to community initiatives and environmental goals, including recycling and waste minimisation.Apply Now!
If you’re ready to make a difference in Caerphilly’s communities through a vital cleansing and waste service, we’d love to hear from you! Submit your CV and required documents to Network Recruitment Wales. For more details, contact us today!