Environmental Operative

Overview

Manchester City Council is seeking a committed Environmental Operative to maintain Longsight Market as a clean, safe, and welcoming place for traders, customers, and visitors. This role involves upholding high standards of cleanliness, safety, and market presentation, supporting the local community, and contributing to excellent public services within a busy team environment.

Work Schedule and Conditions

The position requires working 35 hours per week on a four-week rotating schedule. For weeks 1 and 2, shifts are Tuesday to Friday with hours from 7:00am to 3:30pm on Tuesday and 7:00am to 4:30pm Wednesday through Friday. Weeks 3 and 4 require working Wednesday to Saturday, with Wednesday shifts from 7:00am to 3:30pm and Thursday to Saturday from 7:00am to 4:30pm. Flexibility is critical to accommodate occasional changes to these patterns.

This is a full-time, permanent role with an additional 6.7% flexibility payment included. Candidates must prove their legal entitlement to work in the UK prior to employment.

Role Responsibilities

• Maintaining cleanliness and safety throughout Longsight Market.
• Managing waste disposal and upkeep of market amenities.
• Performing routine cleaning duties and general environmental upkeep.
• Ensuring the market environment is attractive and safe for all visitors.
• Identifying and reporting maintenance, repair, and health and safety concerns.

Candidate Requirements

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Practical experience with cleaning, caretaking, environmental, or facilities tasks.
• Proven ability to work in customer-facing roles.
• Capacity to perform physically demanding tasks including lifting, outdoor work, and equipment handling.
• Willingness and ability to work the specified shift patterns including regular weekend shifts.
• Competence in recognizing and reporting maintenance and safety issues.

Desirable Attributes:

• Experience within market operations, retail, or facilities management environments.
• Skills in basic maintenance, repairs, and setting up or dismantling equipment/stalls.

Equal Opportunities and Inclusion

Manchester City Council operates a diverse and inclusive recruitment strategy, actively encouraged from all backgrounds including Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic communities, disabled individuals, and young people. Specific assessment guarantee schemes exist for veterans, people with disabilities, care leavers, and those who have engaged with council positive action programs.

The council is recognized as a Disability Confident Employer committed to workplace adjustments and supportive networks for disabled, neurodiverse, and mental health staff.

Employee Benefits

• Annual leave starting at 26 days, increasing to 31 days after five years of service.
• Option to purchase up to two additional weeks’ leave.
• Up to three days’ volunteering leave annually.
• 35-hour full-time work week.
• Annual pay reviews and union representation.
• Membership in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme.
• Enhanced leave for parental and carer responsibilities.
• Access to employee discounts and perks.
• Participation in Good Employment Charter initiatives.

Additional Information

Applicants must be prepared for face-to-face interviews. The employer expects occupational honesty including accurate and personal statements in the application, with policies in place against plagiarism, including misuse of AI-generated content.

Successful applicants must provide evidence of work eligibility for the UK, as this position does not sponsor for skilled worker visas. Should any tasks be unachievable due to disability, adjustments or role redesign may be considered.

For inquiries about the role or required workplace adjustments, contact the hiring manager or the council's job support team via email.