Business Administration Apprentice – Waste and Recycling

Job Introduction

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to start your career within local government while gaining a recognised Business Administration qualification. Working within the Shared Waste Service, you will help support waste, recycling and environmental services across East and North Hertfordshire. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience within an essential frontline service that directly supports residents, protects the environment and helps increase recycling, reduce waste and lower carbon emissions.

As an apprentice, you will provide administrative support to the Waste and Recycling Team, helping to maintain service records, process requests, respond to customer enquiries and support the monitoring of service performance. You will gain experience working with a range of systems, preparing reports and correspondence, and supporting projects that help improve local services.

Waste and recycling services play an important role in protecting the environment, reducing carbon emissions, increasing recycling rates and supporting more sustainable communities. Through this role, you will gain an understanding of how local authority waste services operate, including recycling collections, food waste collections, garden waste services, street cleansing and wider environmental initiatives.

You will work alongside experienced colleagues, contractors and external partners, developing valuable workplace skills whilst contributing to service improvements that help residents recycle more, reduce waste and keep their local area clean and attractive. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to gain practical experience, build confidence and develop a long-term career within administration, environmental services or local government.

The Experience you will bring

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, organised and keen to learn. You do not need extensive previous experience, but you should be able to demonstrate good communication skills, attention to detail and a willingness to develop new skills.

You will be comfortable using Microsoft Office applications and have the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, both verbally and in writing. You will be able to work as part of a team, follow instructions accurately and manage your workload effectively.

An interest in environmental issues, sustainability, recycling or public services would be advantageous, although no previous knowledge is required. We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, keen to learn and motivated to make a positive contribution to services that have a direct impact on residents and the environment.

Most importantly, we are looking for a motivated individual who is committed to completing their apprenticeship programme and developing their skills within a busy operational service.

About Us

North Hertfordshire is a large rural district with approximately 125,000 residents with four historic towns, Hitchin, Baldock, Royston and Letchworth Garden City. The Council have four priorities: Thriving Communities, Accessible Services, Responsible Growth and Sustainability. The Council Plan sets out our key priorities and themes for the next five years. The North Herts Values define how we as colleagues work with each other, and we strive to be: Adaptable, Inclusive, Learning, Listening, Together.

Why work with us?

We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in our recruitment practices and in our employment policies. We want our employees to feel safe to express themselves and we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of talents. We are dedicated to promoting a healthy work/life balance, valuing our employees, and enabling them to make a difference to the local community.

At North Herts Council we are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and we guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum requirements for the job.

Please note that all our vacancies require you to live and work in the UK, and selection interviews are face to face in our Letchworth offices or other nearby council sites.

We are changing
North Herts Council (NHC) is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by NHC on 1 April 2028, it is expected that the majority of roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes in local government we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better.

To find out more, visit Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation | North Herts Council

If you would like an informal chat about the post, you can contact Jeanette Lowden, Service Manager - Waste on 01462 474384

Hybrid working:Flexibility with homeworking and office-based days

Working pattern: This job is open to flexible working patterns and working hours

Applications will close at midnight on 02/11/2026
Face to face interviews will be held on 09/11/2026

Please note, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Please note that we are currently unable to provide sponsorship for employment in the UK.

We recommend downloading the job profile document as this will not be available once the vacancy closes.