About Swale Borough Council
Swale Borough Council is a progressive and ambitious Local Authority, located less than an hour from Central London in an attractive and diverse part of Kent involving urban, rural, and coastal areas. We believe that staff are our most valuable asset and we’re committed to attracting and retaining the very best. In recent times we have adapted and evolved to meet the current world by introducing a highly flexible hybrid working policy, along with a 34-hour week, recognising that staff wellbeing and work life balance is high on our agenda.
About the role
A unique and exciting opportunity has arisen for a Waste and Street cleansing projects officer to join the Council’s busy Environmental Contracts and Resources team on a full time, fixed term basis for 24 months.
You will build upon the good work of the council by continuing to improve performance and reach the challenging targets set by Government on Refuse and Recycling. Your positive ‘can do’ attitude will be essential in driving performance and providing a successful waste collection and street cleansing service, as well as promoting other key environmental messages.
You will be responsible for identifying, developing and managing targetted campaigns and projects to educate and influence residents about refuse and recycling. You will use a variety of media and communications to work with the community to reduce household waste levels, increase recycling rates and improve the overall cleanliness of the borough.
You will work alongside the Environmental Campaigns and Performance Officer to promote and monitor recycling and waste minimisation targets as defined by the Council and you will work closely with external partners in the Mid Kent Waste partnership on joint initatives and communication campaigns.
Other roles will include analysing the data supplied by our contractors to identify any trends or anomalies and preparing reports for the Environmental Services and Environmental Contract Manager.
About you
You must be an innovative individual with strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and good presentation skills. The ability to work and communicate effectively with partners is essential, as is a full driving licence with access to a vehicle for work purposes.
An understanding and proven experience of project management is also essential as is the ability to use initiative, seek opportunities and develop innovative solutions to improve performance. Knowledge of the Environmental Protection Act and associated codes of practice is desirable, but more important is the desire and determination to make a difference in a key area of work.
Our Offer
A range of benefits including:
• 34 hour full time working week with the offices closing at 1:30pm on Friday
• Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities
• 7am to 7pm flexi time to suit personal circumstances for most role
• Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
• Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New year.
• Free parking
• Range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people’s home/work life balance including compressed hours, 9-day fortnight, part time.
• Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
• Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
• Annual flu vaccine
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
• Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
• A professional fee payment, if required for the role
Selection Process
Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.
Swale Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.
Swale Borough Council has a Skilled Worker Sponsorship License which enables successful candidates in eligible roles to be sponsored for work Visa purposes.
For an informal discussion about this post, please contact Kelly Mehmet, Environmental Contracts Manager, on 01795 417073.
Job description and Person Specification:https://docs.maidstone.gov.uk/jobs/JDPS-Temp-Waste-and-Street-Cleansing-Project-Officer-SBC-Dec-23.pdf
Interview Date: w/c 29 January 2024
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to
Disability Confident.
