Our Values
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.
Our Values are:
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Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
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Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
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Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
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Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
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Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
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Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.
Our Waste Services Team delivers one of the most essential services our residents rely on every single day — ensuring that household waste is collected, treated, recycled and disposed of safely and efficiently.
We provide domestic, recycling and garden waste collections to more than 126,000 households across the city, completing over 9 million collections each year. Collecting more than 100,000 tonnes of waste annually, the team is committed to delivering high-quality, safe and customer-focused services.
Alongside day-to-day operations, the team also leads on key environmental initiatives that support residents in participating positively in the services provided. This includes behaviour-changing campaigns, education and engagement work to help improve sustainability, reduce contamination and enhance the overall efficiency of our waste services
What is the job role?
We have several vacancies for Waste Refuse Collectors to work with our diverse residents and communities across Coventry, Nuneaton & Bedworth, as well as Commercial Services.
We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. At present, we have very few women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds in our team, and we would like this to change. We therefore strongly encourage applications from these groups. However, all applications are welcome, and selection will be based on merit.
All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.
Who are we looking for?
To be successful, you will need to:
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be physically fit (to be able to walk up to and in excess of 12 miles per day, in all weathers)
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be hard working
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understand Health & Safety instructions in English however English does not have to be your first language.
If you can do all of the above, we would like you to apply. Core operation shift start times are as follows:
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Domestic - Shifts start at 7 am (Tuesday to Friday) 37 hrs per week.
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NBBC – Shifts start 6.30 am (Monday to Friday) 37 hrs per week.
Occasional weekend and bank holiday work will be required.
Assessment Dates - 18th and 19th August 2027
Interview Dates - week commencing 24th August 2026
This role will close once sufficient applications have been received, if you wish to apply for this job please submit your application as soon as possible.
We kindly ask that individuals who have previously applied for this position do not reapply.
If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.
Need help completing your application form? The Job Shop can support you. You can register online here for an initial assessment, or visit the Job Shop in person, please see their webpage for more information. For all other queries, contact [email protected].
Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:
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Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
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Are currently in care or have previously been in care
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If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
About Coventry
Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.
We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.
At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.
To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.
If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies
