Apprentice Waste Business Support Officer

Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join our waste management team at both Ivybridge Depot and Torr Quarry, Kingsbridge whilst undertaking and completing an administrative based Level 3 apprenticeship programme. You will be supporting essential services such as recycling, refuse collections, garden waste, trade waste and street cleansing.

Wage

£16,950 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 07:00 - 15:00, 08:00 - 16:00 or 09:00 - 17:00

37 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 28 May 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

To work, under instruction and supervision, as part of a team to deliver an efficient, effective and quality service within the Waste Services Support Team
To learn how to answer/deal with queries within the service, both via the telephone and email
To take messages and pass them on to the relevant member of staff in an appropriate and timely manner
To deal with Council employees and customers/residents in a polite, friendly and efficient way ensuring you demonstrate a good understanding of customer care
To work to defined business standards and processes, performing a wide range of business support tasks with due regards to confidentiality and safeguarding, and in accordance with timescales and all relevant Council Policies
Attend meetings and take notes/minutes as required to support the management team

Where you’ll work

Ermington Road
Ivybridge
PL21 9ES

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

TRANS-PLANT TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Your training plan

Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard:

This apprenticeship is equivalent to an A-Level
Training will take place both online and in person to meet the needs of the business and the apprentice
If you do not already have your maths and English GCSE's then this can be achieved as part of your apprenticeship

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade C/4)
Maths (grade C/4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Administrative skills

About this company

South Hams is a local government district on the south coast of Devon, England. Its council is based in the town of Totnes, although the largest town is Ivybridge. The district also contains the towns of Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and Salcombe and numerous villages and surrounding rural areas.

https://www.southhams.gov.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Local government pension scheme.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

The administration role may be a gateway to further career opportunities, such as management or senior support roles

Ask a question

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