Waste Contracts Apprentice

Overview

We’re looking for someone who is both energetic and has attention for detail to join our Waste Contracts Team in Neighbourhood Services. You’ll combine work-based training alongside working towards achieving an Advanced (Level 3) apprenticeship in Business Administration, that will help you towards a career in the field of waste management.

Working for one of the largest employers in the County, you will gain practical skills as well as experience of the waste management services that the Council provides. Waste Management plays a key role in addressing the Climate crisis and this role will help support the Councils efforts locally.

About us

Our apprenticeships are designed to give you the hands-on experience needed in a real job that brings out the best in you, with real responsibilities, real challenges, real projects and scope to grow your career.

The role sits within the Strategic Waste Management and Enforcement service. The team work collaboratively to provide core Council services that cover waste treatment, recycling, reuse and recovery operations provided through a number of multi-million-pound waste contracts. Contracts the team manage include the Energy from Waste (EFW) contract, the Household Recycling Centre (HRC) contract and Green, Food, Bulky and Wood (GFBW) contract.

Collectively the team are involved in a wide range of work from enforcement to contract management, procurements, communications, internal business / systems improvements, infrastructure projects, behaviour change projects and customer service. The wider team also covers the management of fly tipping, unlawful encampments, and traveller community enforcement. Working across the team means there are plenty of opportunities for learning and development in both a formal and informal capacity. The team environment is fast paced, dynamic and supportive, we invest in ‘growing our own’ so there are excellent opportunities for career progression. The Team is friendly, approachable, and always up for the next challenge!

About the role

In this role you’ll be working closely with other members of the Strategic Waste Management and Enforcement team with a particular focus around the day-to-day management of the key Council waste contracts. Your work activities will focus on some of the following key areas:

• Waste contract monitoring
• Site inspections
• Waste data recording and reporting – including the use of the Council’s Waste Data Management System and Waste Data Flow.

The site inspections will be undertaken with the Waste Contract Officers and will require regular travelling to the following locations:

• The 10 Household Recycling Centres,
• The High Heavens waste complex
• The Energy from Waste facility
• Waste audits at any one of 30+ waste end destination points
• Closed landfill sites.

The role will help support the wider team whilst giving you exposure to how the waste service operates. Whilst the role will focus on the day-to-day management of waste contracts it will also include gaining knowledge of procuring new waste service contracts, the delivery of waste capital schemes/infrastructure projects and communication/behaviour change campaigns.

All this will develop in you an understanding of waste management in a local government setting, focused on how the Council’s waste contracts work in real life and so deliver key Council services. Whilst this is going on you will also study to achieve the Level 3 apprenticeship throughout the duration of your time with us. For this we’ll give you time off during your working week for study and assessments - which means no evening or weekend study is required.

About you

Skills required:

• Able to organise own work and achieve deadlines
• Microsoft Office skills (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook)
• Good IT skills and the ability to use databases
• Able to communicate well verbally and in writing
• Able to use initiative and work independently with a good attention to detail
• Good standard of written work with accurate spelling and grammar

Personal Qualities:

• Enjoys hands-on jobs that involve being out of an office as well as in an office environment
• Comfortable working as part of a team and playing an active role
• Able to get on well with a range of people
• Real ambition to develop your skills and experience
• Enthusiastic, dynamic and forward thinking
• Willingness to learn and to undertake a range of different tasks as required
• An interest in the environment and sustainability

Eligibility Criteria: For Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship - Qualified to Level 1 or above in Literacy and Numeracy (GCSE grades A* - C/9-4 or equivalent), or Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Qualification.

Please note: You will not be eligible for this post if you have a Degree in the same subject as this apprenticeship, or other qualifications in the same subject at an equivalent level.

Other information

Location: Aylesbury

Interview date: Proposed week commencing 26th January 2026

Possible Starting date from: February 2026 

Duration of Apprenticeship: Our apprenticeship roles are on a fixed term contract for the duration of the apprenticeship. Level 3 is usually for about 18 months.

Salary: Your initial apprentice salary will be £14,566 p.a for your first year and will go up to National Minimum Wage if you are 19+ when you start the 2nd year of your apprenticeship. All your training will be funded by us. As well as the salary, our apprentices are eligible to: 

• Paid holiday package
• Join our generous Pension scheme
• Get 50% off of Arriva bus travel
• Receive a range of restaurant, shop & gym discounts through our Employee Benefits scheme.
• Apply for a TOTEM Card (formerly called the NUS Extra card)

Reality Check: This is a full time position working a 37 hour week Monday to Friday.

Contact details: If you have any questions about this role please contact Andrew Jenkins email [email protected] or call 01296 387195

Future Prospects: We cannot guarantee a permanent position following completion of the apprenticeship, however this is a great opportunity to develop knowledge of the waste management field of work which continues to grow whether working in the public or private sector.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Communities directorate works across the county to deliver a number of the key customer-facing services that our residents, businesses and visitors rely on every day.

This directorate includes a wide range of services, including:

• collecting and disposing of waste and recycling
• maintaining our roads and Rights of Way network and parking
• ensuring the delivery of school transport, and supporting sustainable travel including public bus services and School Crossing Patrollers
• managing Country Parks
• leisure facilities, museums, theatres and libraries, as well as developing our Cultural Strategy
• Licensing, Environmental Health and Trading Standards
• Cemeteries and Crematoria

The customer is central to how we develop and deliver all of these services, which help promote our rich and vibrant culture and special environment.

We are looking for enthusiastic, ambitious and committed individuals to join our team and help us to continue to make Buckinghamshire a great place to live, work and visit. This is an exciting time for us as we bring together the services previously run by five separate councils before Buckinghamshire Council was created. Whilst making major changes to contracts affecting residents across Bucks, we continue to focus on delivering great customer service. You will join us on our journey of continuous improvement - whether that’s through developing strategies and ways of working or delivering services on the ground, every person in Communities is a valued member of the team.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/