Gravedigger/Refuse Collector

Advert

Gravedigger/Refuse Collector

Various Locations, Orkney

37 hours per week

Permanent

£30,758 - £30,989

£15.94 - £16.06 per hour

The above amounts include Distant Islands Allowance.

You will be reporting to the Team Manager Environmental Services Operations.

Your working pattern is 8.00am - 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.00am - 3.30pm on Friday. We are happy to talk flexible working, where possible.

The purpose of this role is to be a member of a service concerned with gravedigging duties and the collection, disposal and recycling of waste. You will be required to work either individually or as part of a team to ensure the efficient operation of the service.

Duties will include preparation and digging of graves, maintenance of grounds etc., removal of household and commercial refuse from a variety of locations including special collections and refuse for recycling. Street sweeping, litter collection, and any other duties associated with this service function and commensurate with this grade are also included.

Generally working as a member of a team, you will require a flexible attitude to work and a willingness to undertake a variety of duties. You must also have a positive approach to health and safety. Previous experience of this type of work would be an advantage, but not essential, as training will be given where required.

In addition to the normal range of duties you must be able to undertake standby duties and winter maintenance works as required and also other out of hours working will be required for weekends and evenings. An appropriate overtime or standby payment will be made for out of hours working, and may be on either a planned rota or relief basis, to cover for sickness and holidays.

The necessary qualification, experience and skills required for this role are detailed in the ‘must have’ section of the attached job profile. These criteria are used for decisions on shortlisting and appointment of applicants.

This post involves a contractual requirement to: 

• participate in a standby rota covering out of hours, click here for Standby Information.

This post requires a Level 1 Disclosure check.

Applications close at 23.59 on Sunday 28 June 2026, with shortlisting taking place week commencing 29 June 2026 and interviews are scheduled for week commencing 06 July 2026.

For a discussion about the role, contact Robert Thomson, Team Manager Environmental Services Operations at robert.thomson@orkney.gov.uk or on 01856 873535.

For information on applying and our recruitment process, click here for Information for Applicants.

We would welcome your feedback on our recruitment process.