RCHW Site Operative

Join to apply for the RCHW Site Operative – Colchester role at Essex County Council
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Permanent, Full Time
£25,081 per annum

Location:

Colchester
Working Style:
Fixed‑base worker
Closing Date: 16th December 2025
Please note this vacancy may include working weekends and travel will be required to other sites within a 20 mile radius.

Essex Waste Partnership aspire to be a zero‑waste county. By working together, we are working to reduce waste to help protect the environment and conserve resources. Help us to achieve our goals by joining one of our Recycling Centre Teams.

We’re currently recruiting for a full‑time Site Operative to join our team at our Recycling Centre in Colchester. Please note as a site operative you will be required to work weekends, both Saturdays and Sundays. You will receive a 6% flat rate allowance for any Sundays worked. This position will be based at Colchester and surrounding area's within a 20 mile radius, due to this a driving licence will be required.

• Assisting the public with any questions, queries, or complaints.
• Maintaining a clean, tidy, and risk‑free site.
• Assisting in providing clear instructions to subcontractors / hauliers.
• Operating plant machinery and overseeing waste movements.
• Ensuring proper storage of materials for optimal recycling.
• Ensuring compliance with safety standards.
• Contributing to safe and efficient site operations.
• Supporting the team with administrative tasks as and when required.
• To assist with operations, on occasions you may be required to work at an alternative Recycling Centre.

• Wide range of learning and development opportunities
• 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + choice to buy extra
• Generous Local Government Salary related pension scheme
• Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards
• Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with Vita Health Group
• Up to 4 days per annum volunteering leave
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• 6% Salary uplift for Sunday working

• Able to work on foot for lengthy periods of time.
• Ability to work without supervision as well as part of a team.
• Experience with in a customer facing position.
• Able to complete manual handling tasks.
• Able to complete basic reading and writing tasks.
• A willingness to learn new systems.
• Willing to complete training necessary to fulfil the role, i.e. First Aid, Plant Operator, Fire Marshall.

• Full Driving Licence
• Computer literate (especially Microsoft Excel and Outlook) with good administration skills.
• IOSH Working Safely or equivalent safety accreditation.
• NPORS or similar Plant Operators Licence/Qualification on Material Handler, with previous experience operating plant machinery preferably within the waste industry.

Interview will be taking place face to face at Colchester.

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.

For further information on the DBS update service please go to

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email