Environmental Services Apprentice

Summary

We are looking for an apprentice to work in the Environmental Services Team. By working in this team, you will gain knowledge on how to effectively support the management of contracts and projects and get support in developing the necessary skills for this.

Annual wage: £23,473 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm
37 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 6 January
Duration: 1 year 6 months
Positions available: 1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

In this role, you would be working with colleagues who deal with our external contractors for Household Waste Management, Commercial Waste, Street Cleansing, Grounds Maintenance and Enforcement.

This DOESN’T mean you will be working on a bin lorry, in a waste recycling plant or out and about mowing the grass, but it does mean that you will be involved in supporting high value Council contracts, and would be ideal for someone who is interested in beginning a career which includes managing projects, solving problems and providing great customer service.

You would be working in the Council Offices within a small team in an administrative role. You will be dealing with customers, the contractors, our Councillors and other members of the public as well as colleagues from around the Council. The role is very varied, so as well as dealing with issues we face on a daily basis, one day you might be speaking to the contractor about a mattress dumped in a country lane and the next day talking to a new business owner about paying for a trade waste collection.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge of the full range of activities which are provided by the wider team.

Tasks the apprentice will be undertaking will include:

Receiving and making telephone calls, these can come from the Customer Service Contact Centre, elected members, businesses, schools, members of the public, other organisations and our contractor.
Conducting site visits with a colleague to understand how we monitor the contractor and carry out inspections.
Supporting colleagues on our fly tipping prevention campaign and understanding the process of gathering evidence and our enforcement procedures.
Supporting the delivery of our chargeable garden waste collection service, dealing with enquiries and service issues.
Working with businesses that use our trade waste collection services and actively promoting this through leaflets, the website and phone calls from customers.
Supporting colleagues to deliver our grounds maintenance functions which ensures our parks and open spaces are kept clean and tidy.
Visiting the depot and waste disposal facilities.
Opening, sorting and dealing with incoming post.
Using photocopiers.
Filing and indexing of documents.
Use of scanning equipment.
Use of document management software.
Using Microsoft office tools including Word, Excel, Outlook in order to be able to update existing documents and create new documents, letters and communications, etc.

Where you’ll work

The Symington Building

Adam & Eve Street

Market Harborough

Leicestershire

LE16 7AG

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE

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

Within the first 15 months additional training is delivered at Loughborough College, one morning a week for 12 weeks, dates are subject to enrolment date.
Online portfolio to update with learning and development completed onsite.
Diarised visits from dedicated Trainer/Assessor.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

5 subjects including Maths and English (grade C / 4 or equivalent)

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
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

• You will be working in an open plan office environment where people “hot desk” and so move around frequently. • You may need to work late sometimes or attend evening meetings with prior notice. • You will be expected to wear appropriate business attire and an identification badge. • The job is an administration role and so is mainly sitting down most of the day. • This is only a fixed term contract and there is no guarantee of a job at the end of your apprenticeship although you will be eligible to apply for internal vacancies and will receive support in completing an application for these roles. • Due to the nature of the job and the information you are dealing with, confidentiality is very important. • A driving license is desirable but not essential however you must be able to travel into Market Harborough Town Centre and Loughborough College. • Loughborough College reserves the right to withdraw this vacancy before the end date, following consultation with the employer.

About this company

Harborough District Council (HDC) is a small Local Authority based in Market Harborough. The role of HDC is to support the residents of the district. The Council looks after the residents of the district, the businesses operating in the district and ensures the district is a happy, healthy and safe community to live and work in. We do this by providing services and facilities, such as housing for those who need it, collecting waste, providing leisure facilities, as well as supporting businesses.

http://www.harborough.gov.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

27 days per year annual leave plus bank holidays, reduced memberships at HDC owned Leisure Centres, full occupational health service including access to counselling & telephone advice services, free eye examinations for computer users.

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

You will be eligible to apply for internal vacancies that are advertised at the Council.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: