Job Profile for Street Cleansing Operative

Job Details

Job title: Street Cleansing Operative 

Salary/Grade: Operational Grade SCP 6 - 8

Service: Operations

Reports to: Street Cleansing and Markets Supervisor

Job purpose

To carry out Street Cleaning activities as directed for local communities on public land or relevant highway/contracted land that meets the expected standards as outlined by Defra in the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse.

To undertake cleansing work in accordance with quality standards, work instructions and specifications contained within the Operations Team Management Plans

To deliver and maintain the highest standards of street cleansing activities across the Braintree District.

Principal Accountabilities

Main Duties:

1. To carry out a range of tasks defined within the relevant specifications and work schedules, which encompass the Street Scene Service. These tasks include:

• Street cleansing activities
• Street sweeping - mechanical/manual
• Litter picking
• Bin emptying (including dog bins)
• Removal of fly tipping
• Clearing up during/after Markets
• Special collections
• Removal of dead animals etc.
• Graffiti & Fly Posting Removal
• Removal of hazardous waste from public areas such as clinical/sharps (where trained to do so).

2. To complete all documentation in respect of the above.
3. To use and maintain a range of vehicles, plant, tools and equipment in accordance with Manufacturer’s instructions, including the completion of all maintenance checks.
4. To ensure that vehicles (where allocated) are maintained in a clean and tidy condition. Undertake Drivers responsibilities in accordance with the Drivers Handbook including maintenance checks, reporting all defects using the Defect Reporting procedure.
5. To provide witness statements and attend Magistrates Court as required in support of the Council’s prosecution of fly tipping and other environmental offences that you have been directly involved, in finding evidence as part of your role.
6. To participate in the Emergency Standby ‘Out of Hours’ Service and evening/weekend work as a regular feature of your job.
7. To wear the Council’s protective uniform correctly and comply with all Health and Safety legislation/regulations, including: safe working practices, risk/COSHH assessments.
8. To support and cover for the Council’s pest control team at busy times following relevant training and job-shadowing work experience.
9. To complete all scheduled tasks with reasonable timeframes in an efficient and professional manner.
10. To work with colleagues to ensure high standards of maintenance are provided to local communities including partners and third party contracts at all times.
11. To ensure that service delivery complies with current regulations, accepted professional standards, the council's policies and procedures and appropriate legislation (including legislation on GDPR/Data Protection, equalities and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).
12. To undertake any other duties as directed by the Supervisor as required and within skill set.

Corporate Accountabilities

• To take responsibility for maintaining own health and attendance. 
• To support, contribute and comply with quality and governance procedures as directed by management.
• To apply and actively promote the principles of the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in all areas of employment and service delivery.
• Any other associated duties detailed by Head of Service or his representative.
• To advise Line manager if, at any time, the above duties and responsibilities cannot be performed.
• Any other duties as required to support the business, including maintaining business continuity and during civil emergencies.
• To apply and actively promote the principles of the Council’s Safeguarding Procedure in all areas of employment and service delivery.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

(Tested at application and interview stage)

Experience and Qualifications

• Experience of working in an outdoor environment and of undertaking a range of manual tasks.
• Understanding of Health and Safety systems including manual handling and risk assessment.
• Some experience of street cleansing together with a working knowledge of tools and plant used in street cleansing activities including street sweeping machines would be desirable.

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to work outdoors in all weathers.
• Ability to walk, bend, kneel and stand for long periods of time and perform heavy lifting if needed.
• Ability to work weekends on a rota basis.
• A full clean driving licence together with a 7.5 tonne licence or a willingness to undertake training to drive 7.5 tonne vehicles.
• Should have a positive attitude to a physically demanding role.
• Ability to work in a team or individual based environment.
• Flexibility and willingness to be involved in all aspects of the operation of the street cleansing service.
• Ability to work well unsupervised, manage time effectively and be self-motivated.
• Must be polite and helpful with the public, representing the Council Values and Behaviours at all times.

Competencies

We test this at interview stage

Communicating Effectively 

Demonstrate the effective use of the range of communication methods available: written, spoken, electronic, and use these methods in appropriate ways suitable to the context and situation

• present spoken communication in a polite, friendly and respectful manner seeking to ensure mutual understanding
• listen well and seek clarification and understanding, avoiding jumping to conclusions or making assumptions
• seek to understand the communication needs of colleagues and customers, being mindful   of equality issues and the diverse needs of the range of people we work with
• choose the most appropriate method of communication for the situation, seeking to avoid using one fixed style or approach

Performing efficiently and effectively 

Promote good performance, developing clear, structured and efficient ways of managing workload and delivering results.  Staff should challenge themselves and others to perform well, and to adhere to the Council’s performance management systems

• ensure that all work carried out by you is in line with business and service plans and supports the overall aims and ambition of the Council
• plan your workload effectively, reporting achievements, and problems to appropriate managers and project leaders
• see tasks and objectives through to completion
• approach challenges with drive and enthusiasm
• strive for continuous improvement in your work and manage your learning and development to enable you to perform to the best of your ability
• create novel solutions to improve services and ways of working and challenge conventional practices
• be enthusiastic about the Council’s services and look for opportunities to promote and sell them

Using and managing resources efficiently and effectively 

Demonstrate the effective and efficient use of the full range of resources used in and by the Council including time, finances, staffing, equipment, information, materials, buildings, etc.

• take responsibility for managing your time, seeking efficient ways to carry out your work, maximising your output and minimising wastage
• use and acquire materials effectively and efficiently minimising wastage, recycling where possible, and striving for cost effectiveness
• seek out ways to improve the use of resources

Engaging with the customer

Understand the needs and requirements of their customers, to provide excellent customer service, and to involve customers in the improvement of services

• provide a helpful and friendly service to customers both internally and externally
• ensure that you have a full understanding of the needs and requirements of the customer

Working well together

Actively foster good working relationships with colleagues and customers in order to collectively achieve the Council’s direction and ambition

• co-operate and work well with colleagues at all levels of the organisation seeking collective responsibility for the achievement of goals
• demonstrate consideration, and respect for other’s feelings and opinions and avoid judging and making assumptions
• maintain positive working relationships with external contacts in order to maintain the reputation of the Council
• seek to actively solve problems and avoid passing the issue on to others or leaving the problem unresolved
• demonstrate self-awareness of your style of working and develop flexibility and adaptability in order to work well with others

Other conditions

• This post doesn't require a DBS check 
• This post isn't politically restricted

Job profile updated
January 2026

Values and behaviours

Our values and behaviours are an integral part of who we are; they are the guiding principles that should inform how we work together, support each other and make decisions.

Our organisation thrives on the dedication and passion of its people and it’s important that we embody these values and behaviours and they become a part of our organisational DNA.

Our vision

We will be ambitious, support each other and work together in new ways to achieve outstanding results

Our core values