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GBP 7736 Graduate Waste Management Support Officer

University of Exeter Internships
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Job Summary

Devon County Council are looking for a new Graduate Waste Management Support Officer to join their Waste Management Team. You will work on waste management projects including promoting schools’ waste education work and behavioural change working with the general public. You will also assist with a variety of projects working across the waste operations team.

This role is part of the Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) scheme and offers a full-time contract (36.5 hours per week) for 23 months with a 6-month probation period. You will have a work base of Exeter but with agile working (the DCC Agile Working policy means people can work in the office, at home, or whilst out and about). You will be employed by the University of Exeter and seconded to DCC for the duration of your contract. This means you can take advantage of the benefits available from both organisations.

 

Key Dates

Closing date: 15/6/25

Interview date: 3/7/25

Start date: From 14/7/25 (Flexible)

Duration: 23 months

 

Salary: £26,257 per annum.

 

 

Purpose of Role

  • To influence, educate and change the behaviour of the Devon public in relation to reducing, reusing and recycling their waste.
  • To assist with managing a portfolio of waste management contracts and waste operations projects

 

Duties and responsibilities

You will help with a variety of tasks, including:

  • Assist with the research and development of a food waste campaign to reach and engage with 18-to-34-year-olds 
  • Research and creation of web based and social media content for Recycle Devon using Canva
  • Assist with monitoring Recycle Devon communication channels
  • Support approx. 20 school tours to the Energy Recovery Facilities in Exeter and Plymouth and on occasion the Pinbrook Household Waste Recycling Centre.
  • Assist with maintaining and developing the waste education website https://zone.recycledevon.org/, using Word Press 
  • Create suitable social media posts to promote the work of the Waste Education Team 
  • Help with school & community events to promote sustainable waste and resource practices at home, school and at work.
  • Support the Recycle@work initiative by working with Facilities Management staff to improve staff recycling facilities and develop internal comms work to encourage staff to use the recycling facilities correctly.
  • Assist with managing operations at the network of Household Waste Recycling Centres in preparation for the new contract
  • Assist with managing operational activities as required
  • Help the Devon Reuse Project

You will also undertake any other duties commensurate with this level of post and as assigned by the line manager.

 

Training and Development opportunities

Training opportunities will be limited, but support will be given where needed.

  • You will have the opportunity to create and deliver your own projects, within the bounds of the job description.
  • Skills that can be developed while in this role include video making, creation of social media content, teaching, teamwork, website maintenance and development.

 

Support Available

  • You will be line managed by the Principal Waste Manager (Strategy and Policy) with day-to-day input from the Senior Waste Managers and Waste Officers. 
  • There will be weekly 1:1 meetings, either remotely or in-person. 
  • On-the-job training will be made available to develop any areas for development.
  • You will be offered 1:1 support from the University’s Internships Team

 

The Benefits

  • Flexible working hours
  • This job is very rewarding as it provides an opportunity to make and see change happen at a local level.
  • The Waste Management Team are a friendly and social bunch, and we have regular social events.
  • You will be invited to quarterly networking and professional development events through ‘The Graduate Network’ exclusively for GBP’s and their line managers. 
  • All Graduates are offered a ‘how to make the most of your internship’ guide. 
  • You will have access to the University’s Career Mentor Scheme and an extensive suite of online training which includes Excel, presentation skills, and negotiation skills. 

 

About You (Person Specification)

 

Degree and Attainment

  • Open to graduates who have qualified from a UK-based university in the last 3 years
  • International graduates with a Graduate Visa are welcome to apply

 

Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential: 

  • Enthusiastic, self-motivated, requiring a minimum of supervision, dependable and trustworthy, commitment to equal opportunities. 

Desirable: 

  • Organised and methodical, understanding of and commitment to sustainability issues, ability to meet deadlines and targets, ability to carry out the post with reasonable adjustments where necessary.

 

Communication skills

Essential: 

  • You should be able to demonstrate good verbal and written skills including punctuation and grammar; confident communicator with the public; flexible and diplomatic with good interpersonal skills.

Desirable: 

  • Experience of using a range of social media sites, experience of dealing with school age children.

 

IT Skills

Essential: 

  • IT literate with standard Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Desirable: 

  • Experience in use of website CMS (Word Press); video making skills (using Adobe Premiere or alternative).

 

Acquired Skills

Essential: 

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team, ability to carry out research.

Desirable:

  • Awareness of waste management issues, promotion and marketing skills.

 

Other Requirements

  • The successful candidate will be required to have a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check

 

About Devon County Council

The Waste Management Team of Devon County Council carries out statutory duties to manage the household waste of all the residents of Devon. The Waste Management Team (WMT) sits within the Climate Change, Environment and Transport Directorate, within Devon County Council’s Organisational Structure (2022).

Recycle Devon (http://recycledevon.org) is the public facing brand of Devon County Council’s Waste Management Team and have been working behind the scenes to reduce waste and recycle more by changing the attitudes and behaviour of the people of Devon. And we’ve done well! Our Recycling Rate for the whole of the county is usually in the top three in the country and we run a mixed and varied number of events and campaigns. 

Our Waste Education Team work with schools and their wider communities to help educate the young people of Devon about resource management, sustainability and the 3Rs. Our website (http://zone.recycledevon.org) is a high quality, well-used resource available to students, parents and teachers. Our Waste Education Team visit schools and run school trips to waste management facilities.

The County Council is also responsible for managing waste operations including Household Waste Recycling Centres, waste contracts to treat residual waste through energy recovery facilities and organic waste through anaerobic digestion as well as the aftercare of closed landfill sites.

 

Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) Scheme Requirements 

  • To undertake a graduate role through the GBP scheme, you must have either achieved your degree or be in your final year at any UK-based university.  
  • If you are in your final year, your working hours may be reduced to 15 hours per week (for undergraduates) or 6 hours per week (for postgraduates) to ensure you have the capacity to successfully complete your degree. More hours can be completed if your academic agrees and provides written confirmation. 
  • If you do not pass your degree, the GBP role will end early. 
  • You must have graduated in the UK within the last 3 years of your most recent degree (we will consider extenuating circumstances of potential applicants that may have prevented them from undertaking a graduate role within 3 years of graduation). 
  • The University of Exeter is committed to developing an environment which promotes equality of opportunity, values diversity and inclusivity.  
  • We are committed to creating an inclusive culture and engage with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark) and LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) 
  • Learn about the university’s commitment to the Disability Confident scheme here 
  • At the time of starting employment, the successful candidate must have permission to work in the UK and evidence must be provided in advance of the appointment.  Examples of suitable evidence can be found here. Candidates should continue to have permission for the duration of the GBP contract. This includes British citizens, individuals with an EU Pre-Settlement or EU-Settlement Status; and those with a Graduate Route Visa. 
  • All graduates need to reside in the UK whilst undertaking this role. 

 

How to Apply 

  • Download and complete the attached 2024-25 Internship Application Form. CVs cannot be accepted. Please make sure you have downloaded the latest copy of the Internship Application Form.  
  • Guidance and useful tips for completing your application are found on the Internship Application Form.   
  • Refer to the job details contained within the advert when writing your personal statement.  
  • Use the STAR approach to evidence each requirement in the Person Specification.   
  • You should insert the correct reference code on the application form: GBP 7736  
  • Please save your Internship Application Form as ‘your name - GBP 7736’    
  • The University is a Disability Confident employer and as such this policy applies to recruitment through GBP Scheme. Applicants who identify a disability on the application form will be offered an interview if their application demonstrates they meet the essential criteria.  
  • Please also include details of any reasonable adjustments you may need for an interview or to undertake the role.   
  • You should explain why you would like to work for the employing organisation and why you think you would be a suitable candidate for this role.   
  • Send your completed application (not by OneDrive) to internships@exeter.ac.uk, with the reference code: GBP 7736 in the subject bar of your email, by the closing date.  

 

Further Guidance and Support 

  • (Exeter graduates only) You can refer to the My Career Zone Digital resources on application and interview preparation here.    
  • (Exeter graduates only) If you need support with your application, you can book an appointment through the Career Zone.  
  • Unless stated, interview expenses will not be paid. 
  • It is recommended that you check your online presence on social media to ensure it represents you well, as some employers may undertake online research of their applicants.  
  • If you have any questions, you can email the Internships Team at internships@exeter.ac.uk