Street Cleansing Operative

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are seeking a Street Cleansing Operative based in Sudbury. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis. The successful candidate will earn a competitive salary of £27,694 - £31,022 per annum.

This role is open to full time, part time, and job share applications, all of which will be assessed equally.

Join our team

We are looking for a Street Cleansing Operative to join our dedicated team in Public Realm at our Chilton Depot in Sudbury.

If you share our values and you are motivated to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

The Public Realm Team are responsible for the day-to-day management of the district councils’ countryside sites and open spaces. These include informal recreational sites, local nature reserves, parks and smaller picnic areas.

In addition, the team is responsible for council owned play areas, management of the councils’ tree stock, routine grounds maintenance on roadside verges and open spaces within council housing areas as well as keeping the districts clean through litter collection, mechanical sweeping and removing fly tips.

As one of our Street Cleansing Operatives, you will be responsible for delivering a range of street cleansing services of a practical and physically demanding nature including litter control of trunk roads and recovering of fly-tipped waste. Experience of driving mechanical street cleansing equipment is desirable but not essential. 

You will be based at our Chilton Depot, Sudbury and will play a key role in keeping our joint districts and public open spaces clean, tidy and welcoming.

The role is for 40 hours per week spread over 5 working days (Monday – Friday) and will include weekend working on a rota basis (time off in lieu for additional hours worked). 

About you

You will be experienced in street cleansing or a related role and enjoy working outside either individually or as part of a team. 

You will be proud of the work you do and keen to provide a service to residents and visitors alike.

You will need to demonstrate: 

• your street cleansing experience and level of proficiency in a range of tasks (or demonstrate skills you have that could transfer to this role)
• ability to operate street sweeping vehicle or a willingness to learn this skill
• the ability to communicate well with members of the public, colleagues and supervisory staff as well as understanding and practicing good customer care
• a pro-active approach and a flexible attitude
• awareness of Health and Safety at Work Act, practice and responsibility
• computer literacy and ability to use email and mobile devices
• ability to maintain accurate work records.

You must hold a full driving licence and hold the relevant qualification to tow a trailer.
 

About us

At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils we are passionate about building communities that people want to live, work, visit and invest in.

We serve around 200,000 residents across our two districts and are well known for our collaboration and partnership working across public, private and voluntary sectors.

We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work, with:

• 60 conservation areas
• two National Landscapes
• many picturesque market towns.

It is no surprise we are ranked among the top 50 places to live in the UK (United Kingdom).

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous leave entitlement (26 days a year, rising to 31 days after 5 years)
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme
• Wellbeing Support and Employee Assistance Programs
• Private Health Care Options
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Paid volunteering days
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (Business needs permitting)
• Great learning and development opportunities.

Our ways of working

We believe work is what we do, not just where we go.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, providing opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible services for our residents.

Closing date: 5.00pm, 18 August 2026.

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this Street Cleansing Operative role, even if you don’t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.