Environmental operative

Job overview

The Environmental Waste Operative is responsible for providing an efficient and reliable waste collection and portering service across the Trust. You will play a key role in maintaining a safe, clean and compliant healthcare environment through the collection, transportation and disposal of clinical and non-clinical waste.

Working as part of the Estates and Facilities team, you will support wards and departments across the hospital, operate waste handling equipment, drive waste collection vehicles, manage waste compounds and respond to urgent service requests. You will ensure that all waste is handled safely and in accordance with Trust policies, environmental legislation and infection prevention standards.

This is a physically active role that requires a flexible, reliable and customer-focused individual who can work effectively both independently and as part of a team, while maintaining high standards of safety, professionalism and service delivery.

Main duties of the job

• Collecting, transporting and disposing of clinical, non-clinical and recyclable waste across wards and departments.
• Operating waste management equipment, including compactors, and carrying out daily vehicle safety checks on waste collection vehicles.
• Responding to routine and urgent waste collection requests, including the delivery and collection of sharps and emergency waste containers.
• Maintaining waste compounds, storage areas and external waste facilities to a high standard of cleanliness, safety and security.
• Ensuring all waste is handled, segregated and disposed of in accordance with Trust policies, environmental legislation and infection prevention requirements.
• Completing records, reporting incidents and communicating service issues to supervisors when required.
• Providing a professional, courteous and customer-focused service to patients, visitors and staff at all times.
• Participating in training and following all health and safety, waste management and operational procedures to maintain safe working practices.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wavea national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.

This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.

We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As an Environmental Waste Operative, you will play a vital role in supporting patient care by helping to maintain a safe, clean and compliant healthcare environment across The Princess Alexandra Hospital site. Working as part of the Estates and Facilities team, you will provide a responsive waste collection and Portering service to wards, departments and public areas, ensuring waste is managed safely, efficiently and in accordance with Trust procedures.

Your day-to-day duties will include collecting, transporting and disposing of clinical, non-clinical and recyclable waste, ensuring all waste streams are correctly segregated, handled and stored in line with infection prevention, health and safety and environmental requirements. You will regularly transport waste between hospital departments and designated waste compounds, supporting the smooth operation of essential clinical and non-clinical services.

The role requires the operation of waste management equipment and vehicles, including waste collection tugs, trailers and compactors. You will be responsible for carrying out routine vehicle and equipment checks, reporting faults promptly and ensuring machinery is operated safely and in accordance with manufacturer instructions and Trust procedures.

You will respond to routine and urgent service requests, including the supply and collection of clinical waste containers, sharps bins and emergency waste bins. The role requires flexibility and the ability to prioritise workloads to ensure service standards and response times are consistently achieved across the hospital site.

An important aspect of the role is maintaining waste storage compounds and external waste areas to a high standard of cleanliness, security and organisation. You will also empty public waste bins, monitor waste accumulation and help ensure the hospital environment remains safe and presentable for patients, visitors and staff.

The post holder will be expected to complete records accurately, report incidents, defective equipment and operational issues, and communicate effectively with supervisors, colleagues and service users. You will be required to participate in mandatory and role-specific training to maintain competence in waste management practices and operational procedures.

This is a physically active role involving regular walking across the hospital site, pushing and pulling waste containers, operating equipment and working both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate a strong commitment to health and safety, excellent customer service skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

A professional, courteous and respectful approach is essential at all times, as the role involves regular interaction with patients, visitors and staff. The post holder will be expected to uphold the Trust's values, maintain high standards of personal presentation and contribute positively to the delivery of a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible waste management service.