Job Details

Waste Collection Assistant – Manual Labour

Location: Oliver Close, West Thurrock, Essex, RM20 3ED
Employer: Thurrock Council
Contract: Temporary – 12 Weeks
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Pay Rate: £13.76 per hour PAYE
Start Date: 9th November 2026
End Date: 31st January 2027

The Role

Thurrock Council is looking for a reliable, hardworking and physically fit Waste Collection Assistant to join its Waste Services team on a temporary basis.

You will play an important role in keeping local streets and communities clean by supporting the Council’s daily waste and refuse collection operations.

Working as part of a team, you will assist refuse collection crews with the safe and efficient collection of household waste and recycling across the local area.

This is a physically demanding, outdoor role involving manual handling and working in all weather conditions. You will need to be comfortable working at a fast pace and carrying out repetitive physical tasks.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist refuse collection crews with daily household waste and recycling collections.
• Load refuse bags, bins and other waste materials onto collection vehicles.
• Work alongside the driver and other collection operatives to complete scheduled collection routes.
• Move and handle heavy bins and waste containers safely.
• Return bins to the correct locations after collection.
• Help maintain clean and tidy streets and collection points.
• Follow health and safety procedures and safe manual handling practices.
• Report any missed collections, damaged bins or operational issues to the relevant supervisor.
• Provide a polite and professional service to members of the public.
• Work effectively as part of a team to ensure daily collection targets are achieved.

Essential Requirements

• Physically fit and capable of undertaking regular manual labour.
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Reliable, punctual and hardworking.
• Able to work effectively as part of a team.
• Good awareness of health and safety procedures.
• Able to follow instructions and work to scheduled collection routes.
• A flexible approach to work and a positive attitude.

Working Environment

This is a hands-on, outdoor manual labour position. You will spend most of your working day assisting with waste collections, walking collection routes, lifting and moving bins and handling refuse.

Previous experience in refuse collection, waste management, grounds maintenance, street cleansing, warehouse work or other physically demanding roles would be beneficial.