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    Environmental Action Chargehand - Leeds, United Kingdom - Leeds City Council

    Leeds City Council
    Leeds City Council Leeds, United Kingdom

    1 week ago

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    Description

    Job Title – Chargehand

    Salary – C1 – Basic is SCP 12-SCP 17 - £ 26,421 to £28,770 - plus enhancements for weekend/Bank Holiday working and early/late working as/when required

    Hours – 36 hours per week on a 4 x 3 shift pattern with varying start and finish times as per service need. The team works 7 days a week, 24 hours a day so a large degree of flexibility is expected in this key role.

    Contract – Permanent

    Location – City Centre

    Leeds vision is to "Become the Best City in the UK by 2030".

    The City Centre of Leeds is in many ways the shop window to the City and is often the first and last impression that people have of Leeds. The City Centre is a major cultural hub with many leisure and visitor attractions. Keeping our City clean and welcoming is vital to both the City Council and key stakeholders especially the City Centre business operators.

    This is an exciting opportunity - to be part of a dynamic service that affects every resident and visitor to Leeds City Centre.

    We currently deliver all street cleansing and environmental enforcement services 7 days a week, 24 hours a day within the City Centre and South Bank areas.

    Leeds City Centre is home to over 1,000 shops, 2000 licensed premises and attracts over 1.5 million visitors years to the City annually – a clean and vibrant City Centre is vital to the continued success of the City and this role is key to help delivering this.

    We want forward thinking, dedicated, passionate staff to come into our service with fresh ideas, experiences and skills; you will be working as part of a small team committed to delivering the best environmental outcomes possible.

    The Council Values and Behaviours are key to how we improve what we do.

    What we need from you

    You will be expected to lead a team of 2 x Assistant Chargehands and approximately 20 operational staff on one of the 2 shifts we operate. Working closely with the Team Leader you will be providing guidance, leadership, direction and support to help the team deliver a wide range of environmental services within the City Centre and South Bank areas.

    You will also work closely with the Environmental Action Enforcement Officer delivering on a wide range of issues such as working closely with in house and Trade Waste refuse collection providers, dealing with fly tipping, liaising and establishing good working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders and key partners in the City.

    The Job Description and Specification will provide you with more detail about the job.

    You will be responsible for day to day service delivery of a wide range of environmental tasks within the City Centre and South Bank areas across the 7 day 24 hour working periods such as:

  • Programmed mechanical sweeping (both days and nights), litter bin emptying, litter picking, graffiti removal and jet washing as well as whole host of other environmental tasks
  • Working closely and establishing good relationships with key partners and stakeholders such as City Centre Management, The Events team, LASBT, Street Support Team and Leeds BID to deliver shared outcomes
  • Assisting the Events team in delivering world class events and producing Event cleansing plans to support this work

    • You will also have responsibility for:

  • Ensure the shift you are assigned to are allocated their daily tasks at the start of the day and have all the relevant tools and equipment and that these are in good working order.
  • Ensure the shift you are assigned to complete the tasks issued and return all the tools and equipment to the office at the end of their shift/working day.
  • Ensuring frontline service delivery is maintained by assisting the Team Leader with 'crewing up' and ensuring staff are deployed to cover essential service areas day to day
  • Carry out quality checks of work and on site supervision of staff.
  • Allocation of tasks to the operational team and ensuring these tasks are carried out to a high standard and in a timely manner.
  • Fleet management – Ensuring we are compliant both from a driver perspective (CPC) and from a vehicle perspective working with internal and external vehicle suppliers to ensure vehicles are safe and available for use on all shifts.
  • Carry out all quarterly quality 121's and support/welfare conversations
  • Ensure Health & Safety within the team is properly and effectively managed. Carry out investigations in to low level accidents and incidents involving staff and vehicles
  • Carry out return to work meetings and ensuring this is done in a timely and consistent manner
  • Helping us achieve our ambitions as a Council and as a team to deliver on Equality and Diversity

    • We are looking for people who are/can:

  • Be able to influence and display positive behaviours so that we live the Council Values in all we do;
  • customer focussed
  • Committed to helping positive change in the workplace
  • Have a great work ethic
  • Be able to work with a wide range of partners to deliver shared outcomes within the City Centre and South Bank areas
  • Be flexible in your approach to work. Although this post will be based mainly on day time working hours this could include working some nights should there be a specific service need with reasonable notice given.
  • MUST have a standard driving license
  • The service is very fast paced in particular during seasonal times such as Christmas and Spring/Summer so the Chargehand is expected to be resilient, have good influencing and negotiation skills, great communication skills, a positive can do attitude and a flexible approach to day to day working.

    • If you are interested but would like to know more about the role, please do not hesitate to contact Simon Norman, Team Leader on or via e-mail –

    Application will be via expression of interest which should be a maximum of 250 words telling us why you want the role and what skills, knowledge and experience you would bring to the team. Expressions of interest to be submitted to Simon Norman as per the e-mail address above.

    We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

    All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

    This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

    Job Description

    Job purpose: To provide day to day on-site supervision and to work as part of a multi-skilled local crew providing a range of environmental services to local communities. To show initiative, commitment and enthusiasm to ensure the services provided make a difference by supporting and working with residents and local businesses to keep their neighbourhood clean and improving behaviours in relation to disposing of their waste responsibly. To provide cover for the Environmental Action Team Leader as required

    Responsibilities

  • To supervise and co-ordinate a small team (typically 5-10 operatives) including the day to day allocation of tasks/duties and ensuring work is being conducted in a safe and effective manner.
  • To work under the guidance of an Environmental Action Team Leader in ensuring that the resources available are being deployed in the most effective way to deal with environmental issues facing the neighbourhoods in which the team is operating.
  • To carry out quality appraisal reviews and one-to-ones for a small team.
  • To work with other charge-hand colleagues across the locality at weekends to ensure an effective service is delivered that prioritises the emptying of litter bins, mechanical sweeping and other locally agreed weekend service priorities.
  • To be a local, front line point of contact for ward members and key partners who have a role in improving the environmental condition of neighbourhoods in which the team operates.
  • To attend meetings where required and provide updates on the work of the team.
  • To assist in the recording and collection of performance information that will help the service report to Area Committees on progress against its Annual Service Agreements and to ensure it is publicly accountable for the effective use of resources.
  • To carry out a range of physical tasks to improve the environmental condition and appearance of neighbourhoods (any publicly accessible or council owned land), including:

    • CLEANING

  • Lift and remove all detritus from all land as directed that can be achieved by hand brushing/sweeping and manual sweeping equipment. To include offensive detritus such as faeces, vomit, blood and dead animals.
  • Empty/re-bag and effectively clean litter bins and liners and to effectively dispose of/or collect full white litter bags/liners
  • Weed removal using manual and mechanical means such that weed re-growth is prevented.
  • Effectively clean up and wash pavements and other paved areas using equipment provided including street furniture
  • Fit litter bins using both electrical tools and manual tools as required.
  • Effectively clean public conveniences as required.
  • Clear waste material from gardens, binyards and other land as directed
  • Remove and dispose of needles through agreed protocols.
  • Removal of graffiti through cleaning off or painting over, including the use of specialist equipment as required.

    • FLY TIP AND HOUSEHOLD BULKY ITEM REMOVAL

  • Remove fly-tipped and bulky item material as directed for example including loose materials, animal carcases, large items, gas bottles etc and safely load these onto the collection vehicle where required.
  • Report hazardous material fly-tipped on the highway or other land e.g. asbestos, chemicals etc

    • COUNCIL HOUSING, GARDENS & COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT WORKS

  • Record and report environmental issues as required.
  • Carry out basic clearing and gardening as required
  • To carry out horticultural and garden clearance work including:
  • The clearance and tidying up of gardens of properties that have become void/empty in preparation for the new council tenant
  • To assist a vulnerable tenant where garden maintenance work is required
  • To improve the appearance of a neighbourhood and to prevent obstructions to pathways, ginnels and other publicly accessible walkways/roads.
  • This will include horticultural work; e.g. pruning and cutting back of hedges, bushes, overhanging braches etc, cutting/mowing of grass and removal & control of excessive weeds, plus the removal of waste (including leaves and small branches etc).

    • SEASONAL

  • Manually remove snow, ice, fallen leaves, twigs and small branches from paths/pavements and all other land as required
  • Assist with gritting of paths/pavements and all other land as required
  • To carry out a range of basic investigative, customer contact and community based tasks that support actions to encourage behavioural change within communities to the management of waste; and to help monitor the effectiveness of our service, including:-
  • Reactively and proactively investigate instances of fly-tipping and other forms of inappropriate waste disposal by searching for evidence that may show where/who the waste has come from and to ensure the evidence is appropriately recorded/gathered and referred for further investigation and action by enforcement staff.
  • Play an effective role in a local team of staff that provide a responsive service to the local community which both engages with and works alongside residents, businesses and local groups to maintain clean environments.
  • Communicate effectively with the public and local representatives in the area worked.
  • Assist in the undertaking of basic street/environmental audits as required.
  • Deliver local information leaflets and campaign material as required.
  • Support a range of preventative interventions, such as educational campaigns or activities, to tackle the root causes of environmental issues.
  • To ensure that work carried out by staff is of high quality, carried out safely and professionally and enhances the reputation of the service and the Council.
  • Driving of and responsibility for effective and safe use of fleet vehicles (of up to 7.5 tonnes) as required, including path and road sweeper vehicles and the transport of collected waste to waste disposal sites.
  • To work effectively with Council and other public service colleagues in order to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and quality within local environments as is possible.
  • To deliver work of a high quality, with an understanding of its impact on the quality of life of local residents and visitors alike, carried out safely and professionally, to enhance the reputation of the Council.
  • To maintain an awareness and understanding of other issues that affect the environmental appearance and condition of neighbourhoods and report any defects identified e.g. graffiti, pot-holes, overhanging trees, unauthorised fly-posting, damaged street furniture, blocked gullies etc.
  • Undergo relevant training and development e.g. on the job or training courses. This will include training relating to the use of power tools, handling of hazardous materials and other health and safety issues.
  • Undertake all work in accordance in line with health and safety procedures and to report defects or safety concerns identified to the appropriate manager.
  • To carry out all work with the highest standards of behaviour and conduct thereby reflecting the importance of the role as an ambassador for the City and the Council. In particular, to respond courteously and professionally to contact with and requests from our customers (i.e. members of the public and Elected Members).
  • To ensure that essential records as required relating to the work of the post e.g. timesheets, job requests, safety documents etc. are completed fully, promptly and accurately. This may be written or electronic (for example using hand-held devices).
  • To ensure that all resources used e.g. equipment, machinery and buildings etc. are kept safe, in good order and condition, and are not exposed to the risk of loss, damage or theft. In addition to the vehicle checks, to keep any vehicles used clean and tidy both inside and out.
  • To flexibly carry out any other duties in line with the general character of the post and consistent with its level of responsibility as required by the Council.
  • To comply with Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, Quality Assurance procedures, Health and Safety Regulations and to abide by the councils Equality and Diversity policy

    • The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

    Location: The postholder will spend the majority of their working day in the field and will predominantly work in a geographically defined area in a locality as part of a local crew/team. The locality and/or area may change depending on the needs of the service and the postholder must expect to move around from time to time or to assist with a particular service issue.

    The postholder will be expected to report for work at an agreed meeting point in the area in which they are working.

    There will be identified local comfort break facilities within the local area of work.

    WORK HOURS AND PATTERNS:

    Your shift pattern (known as a 4x3 shift) is:

    Week 1 – Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday

    Week 2 – Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

    Your hours of work will average 35 hours per week on the above shift pattern which will be agreed locally dependant on service needs. Your working day will be 10.5 hours between 06.00 and inclusive of a 30 minute unpaid lunch break and other comfort breaks as reasonably required).

    There will be occasions when the hours of work need to be varied, for example to start and finish later in order to assist with clean up of a major event. You may also be occasionally required to switch days to assist with the needs of the service, for example to cover for another member of staff. A reasonable period of notice will always be provided.

    You will be required to work any bank holidays for which you are rostered (excluding Christmas Day Boxing Day and New Year's Day). This is a requirement of the post and is factored into your additional leave entitlement and therefore no further payments or time in lieu will be applicable for those days.

    There may be an occasional requirement for additional hours to be worked, through planned overtime, which will be recompensed in accordance with NJC for Local Government Service Terms and Conditions as adopted or amended by the Council or local agreement. A reasonable period of notice will always be provided.

    There may also be occasions where you could be called upon at short notice and in exceptional circumstances to provide a proportionate response to an emergency situation out of office hours, if you are able to do so. In these situations the Council has the discretion to pay an allowance in accordance with the time worked, or apply an inclusive rate of pay to take into account all features of the job.

    Other conditions in accordance with the provisions of the scheme of Conditions of Service of the National Joint Council for the Local Government Services as adopted or amended by the Council.

    Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

    Qualifications/Knowledge

  • Possession of licences/qualifications relevant to the work of the post e.g. driving licence
  • Basic numeracy and literacy
  • Knowledge of and commitment to the delivery of high quality services and the standards expected when dealing with members of the public
  • Awareness of the Highway Code and safe working on high speed road networks and arterials routes
  • Understanding the importance of staff appraisals and one to ones

    • Experience

  • Experience of using powered and mechanical equipment relevant to the work of the post
  • Experience of environmental maintenance tasks relevant to the work of the post.
  • Working alone and with minimal supervision

    • Skills

  • Ability to communicate effectively with customers and Councillors
  • Able to quickly learn new tasks and follow instructions/ route sheets
  • Able to show initiative to tackle new tasks quickly, effectively and with a high standard of workmanship
  • Able to guide others effectively to deliver high quality work
  • Able to work to deadlines and to high standards in terms of time and work quality
  • Able to work outdoors for long periods and in all weather conditions/ at unsocial hours with appropriate protective clothing/equipment
  • Able to carry out work which requires on-going considerable physical effort possibly with some heavy lifting
  • Ability to work with a range of partners, agencies and teams (inc. elected members) to ensure neighbourhoods are clean and work is responsive to local need
  • With guidance an ability to undertake and support educational/ information/enforcement activity to encourage improved behaviours & sustainability
  • Ability to provide a community based service and understand that the service is accountable to local people
  • Ability to collect and collate evidence and data for enforcement teams which may result in successful prosecutions
  • Ability to get the best out of people
  • Ability to organise the deployment of staff to undertake tasks
  • Able to use hand tools and equipment safely, efficiently and skilfully

    • Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics

  • Understand and embraceLeeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
  • Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
  • Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
  • Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
  • Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
  • Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
  • Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
  • Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
  • Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
  • The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

    • Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

    Experience

  • Work in an area based team showing initiative and understanding of the impact of the work carried out
  • Experience of supervising and/or organising the work of others

    • Skills

  • Able to carry out staff appraisal reviews and one-to-ones
  • Basic skills in the use of office equipment eg basic computer literacy, photo copier
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