Plymouth City Council
Waste & Cleansing Specialist Driver

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“Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.”
Waste & Cleansing Specialist Driver – (Cleansing)
37 Hours Monday – Thursday 9.25 Hours per day
Are you an experienced driver who enjoys working outdoors, operating specialist vehicles, and making a visible difference to your city?
We are looking for a committed and professional Waste & Cleansing Specialist Driver to join our dedicated Cleansing Service team.
This is a hands-on frontline role where you will operate specialist vehicles and equipment across the city, helping to maintain clean streets, public spaces and highways for residents and visitors alike. As part of a team that takes pride in improving Plymouth's environment, you will play an important role in delivering high-quality cleansing services and promoting a cleaner, safer city.
Responsibilities
As a Waste & Cleansing Specialist Driver, you will be responsible for operating and maintaining a range of specialist vehicles and equipment, including:
- Small mechanical sweepers
- 7.5-tonne tail-lift vehicles
- Hot wash units
- Trailers and associated equipment
You will undertake a variety of cleansing and environmental maintenance duties, responding to operational requirements across Plymouth while ensuring the highest standards of health and safety, customer care and environmental compliance.
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Key Responsibilities
- Safely operate specialist cleansing vehicles and equipment.
- Carry out street cleansing activities across the city.
- Complete daily vehicle safety inspections and routine maintenance checks.
- Respond to incidents including spillages, flooding and environmental hazards.
- Safely remove hazardous and clinical waste in accordance with procedures.
- Complete waste transfer documentation and digital records accurately.
- Work closely with colleagues to ensure locations are left clean, safe and tidy.
- Communicate professionally and positively with members of the public and stakeholders.
- Support the training and assessment of colleagues on specialist vehicles where required.
You Will
- Hold a Category C1 Driving Licence and Driver CPC qualification.
- Have experience operating specialist vehicles and equipment.
- Understand health and safety legislation, safe systems of work and customer service standards.
- Be physically capable of undertaking manual handling duties and working outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Be dependable, safety-conscious and able to work effectively as part of a team.
- Take pride in delivering a high-quality service that helps keep Plymouth clean, safe and welcoming for everyone.


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When completing your application, please ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience outlined in the role profile, along with any desirable criteria.
If you are looking for a rewarding role where you can make a genuine difference to Plymouth's environment and communities, we would love to hear from you.
For more information regarding this role, please e-mail - neil.sargeant@plymouth.gov.uk.
Closing date:- Monday 07 September 2026
Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation.
As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.
“Plymouth City Council is proud to be an Age Friendly Employer. We encourage applications from talented people at every stage of their career.”
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