Contents

  1. Career development and progression with Bexley Council
  2. Place Directorate - Neighbourhoods, Housing and Strategic Planning
  3. E-learning – mandatory training
  4. Highways, Traffic and Infrastructure
  5. Environmental services
  6. Economic development and skills
  7. Libraries and communities
  8. Strategic planning: Transport and development, planning policy, place making and building control
  9. Planning and regulations
  10. Housing services
  11. Leisure, parks and open spaces
  12. Parking services

5. Environmental services

The Bexley Council's Environmental Services Team is committed to promoting sustainable practices and enhancing community engagement - to equip residents, businesses, and local organisations with the environmental awareness and enable them to actively contribute to a healthier, greener environment. At Bexley, we aim to foster a culture of sustainability across the borough, and it is important that everyone feels involved.

The Environmental Services Team is a member of the National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO). NAWDO provides a range of benefits for its professional members:

  • provides direct opportunities for its members to keep informed, up-to-date and share information with, and request information from others
  • access to comprehensive benchmarking data and performance information
  • the opportunity to hear directly from Government officials, industry figures and other key stakeholders
  • gives Members access to and opportunity to influence responses to all relevant major consultations
  • supports Continuous Professional Development of waste officers (including that all NAWDO General Meetings count as 4 hours CPD for CIWM members)
  • access to forum where can openly discuss and debate current and relevant issues facing senior officers with waste treatment and disposal portfolios

Our team works in collaboration with key industry groups, including the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC), the Association of Local Authority Cleansing Officers (ALCO) and the London Recycling Officers Group (LROG). Some of our colleagues are individual members of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) which is essential for driving improvements in waste and recycling management.

By working together with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Environment Agency (EA), the Local Government Association (LGA), the Greater London Authority (GLA), Keep Britain Tidy (KBT), Resource London (Re London), and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP),as well as various other stakeholders we are able to align new environmental policies with our service delivery, share best practices, and develop innovative solutions to enhance sustainability. This collective approach ensures a cohesive strategy for waste reduction, resource efficiency, and environmental responsibility, ultimately supporting national and local government goals for a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Learning opportunities within the environmental services team

The Environmental Services team promotes local waste management, recycling, and sustainability initiatives by providing information and advice to the community. It is also responsible for waste collection and disposal across the entire borough.

The team organises sustainability projects, recruits and trains volunteers, and investigates public complaints about mismanagement of waste. Strong leadership, communication, and customer service skills, along with knowledge of waste, recycling and street cleansing processes and legislation, are key for the success in these roles. The team also oversees street cleansing, with Waste & Recycling Engagement Officers working alongside Schools Recycling Engagement Officers and a considerable number of volunteers to promote environmental responsibility and encourage the community to take care of their surroundings.

The learning and development opportunities offered are as follows:

  • health and safety training, including food safety for managing food waste reduction workshops
  • sustainability training, such as the Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Sustainable Resource Management
  • develop skills in business administration and customer service through our internal training offer
  • learn strategies for handling difficult customers and resolving disputes effectively by attending internal workshops
  • build expertise in community engagement and public awareness campaigns
  • different levels of training in project management (through apprenticeship routes) to oversee and coordinate sustainability initiatives
  • training in waste industry legislation and development of successful strategy
  • training on public awareness campaign development and implementation
  • experience in education settings, direct engagement with members and residents
  • experience in participating in multi-agency conferences to expand knowledge and build networks.
  • extensive experience in contracts management, including overseeing contract compliance, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring value for money in service delivery
  • experience in chairing meetings, setting agendas, facilitating discussions, presenting and discussing new developments, ensuring effective decision-making, and summarising key actions and outcomes
  • experience in providing expert advice and participating at a national level by supporting organisations within the waste industry

The Environmental crime officers are responsible for investigating and enforcing actions related to criminal environmental offences such as fly-tipping, littering, dog fouling, graffiti offences and abandoned vehicles. They also support waste collection, recycling, and street cleansing operations across the borough. They undergo specialist training in waste crime enforcement, including undertaking criminal investigations.

The roles within this team involve engaging with local residents and businesses to raise environmental awareness, developing public awareness campaigns, and working with partners like the Environment Agency, Housing Associations, Neighbouring Local authorities and Metropolitan Police to address persistent offenders. 

The learning and development opportunities are as follows:

  • hands-on experience in investigating and conducting site inspections for environmental issues like fly-tipping, littering, dog fouling, and more
  • external Provider training on waste crime enforcement (criminal investigations, waste crime, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA))
  • experience in contracts management
  • workshops on commercial licensing for street trading, market stalls, and outdoor seating.
  • experience in commercial licensing
  • building skills in community engagement and public speaking, working with residents and businesses to promote environmental awareness
  • training on public awareness campaign development and implementation
  • conflict Resolution Training to equip staff with the skills to handle disputes effectively, de-escalate tense situations, and communicate professionally in challenging environments
  • experience in participating in multi-agency conferences to expand knowledge and build networks
  • legal administrative experience
  • experience in chairing meetings

Health and safety training

Health and safety are critical within the environmental services sector. We provide regular training and updates on safety standards and best practices to ensure a safe and compliant working environment. Our training package includes:

  • Lone working modules: Guidance on risk assessments, safety procedures, and preventative measures for employees working alone
  • First aid and fire marshal training: Opportunities for staff to volunteer for certified first aid and fire safety training
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE): Comprehensive PPE training for new employees during induction to ensure compliance with safety protocols.
  • IOSH courses: Delivered by an external provider to enhance workplace health and safety knowledge
  • Hazardous waste training: Instruction on the safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials
  • COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health): Training on the safe management of hazardous substances to minimise workplace risks
  • WISH training (Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum): Industry-specific safety training tailored to waste management professionals
  • Fire safety training: Essential training on fire prevention, emergency response, and evacuation procedures
  • BSI accreditation training/support: Guidance on achieving and maintaining British Standards Institution (BSI) accreditation
  • COTC (Certificate of Technical Competence): Certification ensuring compliance with waste management regulations and industry standards
  • Conferences and forums: Attendance at key industry events to stay informed on the latest developments and best practices

This structured approach ensures that employees remain prepared to manage safety risks and uphold best practices in the workplace.

Project Management

We offer project management training to support the effective delivery of infrastructure projects:

  • Project Management Apprenticeships: Structured training programmes ranging from Level 3 to Level 6, incorporating recognised methodologies such as PRINCE2
  • Practical Project Experience: Opportunities to participate in, lead, and launch projects of varying sizes, with support from the Central Project Team for large-scale initiatives

Coaching and mentorship programme

Our council offers coaching services to all staff, with coaches from our internal pool providing up to six sessions to support self-reflection and improvement across various topics.

There are also personalised mentorship sessions available from experienced environmental officers to new members of the team.

Ad hoc development opportunities

We encourage team members to participate in research and knowledge-sharing through regular team meetings. These forums provide opportunities to discuss new trends, explore innovative solutions, and stay informed about the latest technologies and methodologies in Environmental Services.

In addition, there are collaboration opportunities through participation in cross-functional environmental teams.

Progression routes

The career grade system allows officers to progress to more senior grades within a single post as they acquire qualifications, knowledge and experience in their discipline.

Progression Route for Environmental Services:

  • Contract Monitoring Officer / Trainee Project Officer through apprenticeship L4 route
  • Engagement Officer
  • Environmental Services Manager - Waste Collection & Service delivery

Progression Route for Waste Disposal & Street Cleansing:

  • Environmental Services Development Officer
  • Environmental Services Manager - Waste Disposal & Street Cleaning

Progression Route for Waste Reduction & Policy:

  • Waste Performance & Projects Officer
  • Waste & Recycling Engagement Officer
  • Environmental Services Manager - Waste Reduction & Policy

Progression Route for Enviro-crime:

  • Enviro - Crime Officer - Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) SIA licences required for all officers
  • Senior Enforcement Officer

All these career routes could lead to Head of Environmental Services role.

Leadership development through Bexley Leadership Academy (for all staff managing others and Emerging managers)

Our Bexley Leadership Academy is open for new staff and emerging leaders:

  • Leadership Essentials 1: Available to all levels of staff who manage others or are emerging leaders. This course covers technical systems, Bexley Council processes, and operational procedures, equipping participants with essential managerial skills
  • Leadership Essentials 2: For managers or emerging leaders taking on increased responsibility. This focuses on leadership behaviours that align with Bexley Council’s values, culture, and long-term strategy, helping professionals develop both soft skills and strategic thinking

Relevant Apprenticeships:

  • Level 3 Business administrator Apprenticeship
  • Level 4 to 6 Project Apprenticeships
  • Level 5 Operations or departmental manager Apprenticeship
  • Level 6 Environmental practitioner (Degree) Apprenticeship
  • Level 7 Sustainability business specialist (integrated degree) Apprenticeship

Find out more on apprenticeships