Assistant Littering Enforcement Officer

Passionate about driving change? Do you want to make an unprecedented difference to Buckinghamshire, ensuring it is thriving, attractive and welcoming to all?

Look no further.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly-formed area of our Service. The post holder will be responsible for driving behavioural change in Buckinghamshire through educational work, the promotion of responsible waste disposal, issuing Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to offenders caught Littering, and, in proportionate circumstances, prosecutions following PACE (Police & Criminal Evidence Act) guidelines.

We are looking to build a strong team with a 'Can do' attitude and an ethos of being 'better' - where improving the environment is our key vision. We welcome applicants who enjoy working collaboratively to offer a proactive, innovative and customer-focussed response to tackling this issue.

The Communities directorate is at the heart of the organisation and the Enforcement Team has a key role to play in this space. This really is an exciting time to join us, as we grow and develop our service., As an Assistant Littering Enforcement Officer, you will be responsible for keeping Buckinghamshire thriving and attractive by driving down Littering on public land and public highways, with a 'zero-tolerance' mantra.

You will provide a highly visible uniformed presence across the County, and be deployed in a targeted manner as directed to understand and address localised problems in identified problem areas, or 'hotspots'. You will seek to drive down the amount of litter on Buckinghamshire's streets by carrying out waste enforcement activities using the relevant provisions of all appropriate and available legislation. You will seek 'duty of care' compliance from local businesses, ensuring they are managing their waste lawfully and efficiently. You will implement measures to seek litter clearance from their own land by private landowners. This will include informal measures as available in specific circumstances.

Key Accountabilities

The role sits within the Enforcement Team, which is part of the Strategic Waste Management and Enforcement Service. The team is friendly, approachable and enjoys working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to offer proactive, innovative and customer-focussed solutions. Reporting to the Enforcement Manager you will form part of a growing team of 12 officers. Knowledge and an understanding of relevant legislation and guidance relating to Littering is required.

This will include:
1. Undertaking targeted patrols in all open areas including streets, parks, recreation areas, and cemeteries
2. Contributing to ad hoc Police and Community Safety events and initiatives as required.
3. Conducting targeted enforcement activities in known hotspots as directed.
4. Making a positive contribution to the delivery of the service, working flexibly and
positively to achieve the objectives of the council.
5. Carrying out regular uniformed patrols, on foot, by bicycle or in motor vehicles as required.
6. Maintaining records in an effective and professional manner so as to comply with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, adequately supporting successful legal proceedings, allowing completion of statistical returns, etc.
7. Working to an agreed rota and to work additional hours as agreed with your line manager and in accordance with the Council's policy.
8. Operating hand-held electronic notice processing equipment.
9. Maintaining a notebook of patrol routes, daily conditions and additional circumstances To compile written reports for court as necessary and to attend CCTV viewings and/or court hearings as and when required to verify any evidence submitted.
10. Assisting the public generally by providing advice on environmental crime or antisocial behaviour matters, to build and maintain a friendly, approachable and professional presence within the local communities and with businesses.
11. Undertaking other ad-hoc duties associated with enforcement teams as required. These may include participating in covert operations as directed and attending evening
community meetings providing a contact point to the local community and businesses whilst promoting the council's vision of a cleaner and more pleasant environment.
12. Operating in accordance with the council's policy that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and all employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and well-being of children and vulnerable adults.
13. Complying with the council's Employee Code of Conduct.
14. Undertaking any other duties commensurate with the general level of responsibility of this post., Our Communities directorate works across the county to deliver a number of the key customer-facing services that our residents, businesses and visitors rely on every day.

This directorate includes a wide range of services, including:

• collecting and disposing of waste and recycling


• maintaining our roads and Rights of Way network and parking


• ensuring the delivery of school transport, and supporting sustainable travel including public bus services and School Crossing Patrollers


• managing Country Parks


• leisure facilities, museums, theatres and libraries, as well as developing our Cultural Strategy


• licensing, cemeteries and crematoria


The customer is central to how we develop and deliver all of these services, which help promote our rich and vibrant culture and special environment.

We are looking for enthusiastic, ambitious and committed individuals to join our team and help us to continue to make Buckinghamshire a great place to live, work and visit. This is an exciting time for us as we bring together the services previously run by five separate councils before Buckinghamshire Council was created. Whilst making major changes to contracts affecting residents across Bucks, we continue to focus on delivering great customer service. You will join us on our journey of continuous improvement - whether that's through developing strategies and ways of working or delivering services on the ground, every person in Communities is a valued member of the team.

The successful post holder will need to possess:

• Knowledge of Enforcement against Littering offences


• Experience in negotiating with landowners, defendants and witnesses to secure positive outcomes.


• Knowledge and understanding of enforcement principles, legislation, experience in collaborative working and problem solving


• Ability to write concise reports and have excellent verbal communication skills, including the preparation of statements and the completion of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN's)


• Excellent planning and organisational skills, to manage a range of complex activities and to achieve given targets and objectives, A 'mobile' role gives you the flexibility to schedule your own diary, so you can meet with colleagues and clients in a variety of locations. You'll access digital folders and resources on your laptop and be able to use the network wherever you are based. Working from home will be common, as well as meeting your team in the office where necessary.


This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions
  
  We are looking for self-motivated and enthusiastic people who are able to provide a visible and reassuring uniformed officer presence, patrolling public spaces and taking enforcement action as appropriate to address waste crime issues and environmental crime as required.


Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally., We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are - Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture


• the chance to really make a difference to those around you


• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops


• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group


• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us


• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events


At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that's why we're working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it's important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That's why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. We also offer a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme to those who are eligible and have passed their probation period. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.