Glen Bunting has seen his career bloom since accepting a six-month contract with East Lothian Council as a Seasonal Amenity Operative.
The 25-year-old is urging anyone who wants to learn new skills and loves working outdoors to apply for an opportunity to join the team.
We are currently looking to recruit Seasonal Amenity Operatives for a six-month period between April/May and October/November.
With roles available at our North Berwick, Musselburgh, Meadowmill and Dunbar depots, successful applicants would provide frontline delivery in street sweeping, general grounds maintenance, and related services across the county.
Glen said: “When I started as a Seasonal Amenity Operative, I covered a range of of activities. You could be out street cleaning then the next day be on gardening duties or maintaining rights of way. I appreciated the variety and knowing that my work is directly benefitting the area I live in.”
After staying on in the post, Glen now specialises in gardening work while pursuing a college course in horticulture at SRUC Oatridge on day release.
He said: “I’d been working for the Council since 2018 after starting in business administration supporting facilities management. I realised admin wasn’t really for me, so I moved on to janitorial and cleaning work in other Council posts.
“Then I decided to take a six-month contract as a Seasonal Amenity Operative in April 2023. I wanted to work outside and do more physical work. After a month, I was really enjoying the job and knew this was something I could see myself doing long-term.”
Variety of transferable skills
Glen covers a wide geographical area from the Council’s Dunbar depot, carrying out duties in the town along with work in Oldhamstocks, Innerwick, Stenton, Spott, East Linton, and West Barns.
He said: “The place you work can change every day. If you like being out in the fresh air then it’s a fantastic option, especially during the summer months.
“It has given me a great deal of job satisfaction and I appreciate the compliments we receive from members from the public.”
Glen said the six-month posts can lead to longer contracts and full-time roles with the Council.
He added: “The six-month contract is an excellent way to see if you like it and people often stay on. Everyone in the depot is happy to pass on their knowledge and experience so you can learn a variety of transferable skills. That also gives you a great chance of landing a role with another employer. It could be a springboard to specialise in an area which you found interesting.”
If you can demonstrate the equivalent knowledge, skills and competencies gained through previous experience then please apply here: https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/east-lothian-council/jobs/seasonal-amenity-operatives-various-positions-available-415521