Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) Attendant

Role overview

Cowra Council is hiring a driven and reliable Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) Attendant to support day-to-day activities in the Waste Operations team. This position is based in Cowra, New South Wales, and plays an important part in keeping recycling operations running smoothly and safely.

Pay, employment status and hours

This is a permanent full-time role paying $1,009.60 per week, plus 12% superannuation. Standard hours are 7:00am to 4:00pm, with summer hours changing to 6:30am to 3:30pm. The role is a 38-hour week with one rostered day off every fortnight. The MRF operates seven days a week, so weekend and overtime work may be required.

About Cowra and Cowra Council

Cowra is located in Central NSW on the Lachlan River, around one hour from Bathurst and Orange, two hours from Canberra, and four hours from Sydney. It sits at the junction of the Mid-Western Highway, Olympic Highway and Lachlan Valley Way, making it a key point for travel, freight and logistics.

Cowra Council has more than 200 full-time equivalent employees and aims to be a forward-looking, creative and community-focused organisation. The Council supports local quality of life and works to encourage sustainable growth across agricultural, industrial, commercial and tourism sectors.

Key duties

• Sort recyclables on the processing line, including Container Deposit Scheme and kerbside recycling materials.
• Use mechanical presses to compact sorted material.
• Carry out litter collection and keep the shed and receiving area clean by sweeping and tidying.
• Provide general customer service to people visiting the MRF.
• Use computer systems and related software for operational tasks.
• Operate the weighbridge.
• Where qualified, assist with machinery such as a forklift, front end loader or telehandler.

What we are looking for

• A positive, hands-on attitude and willingness to get the job done.
• Strong organisation and the ability to stay on top of operational tasks.
• Current Class C driver licence.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Readiness to work across a seven-day operation, including weekends when needed.

Benefits and conditions

• Fortnightly rostered day off.
• Four weeks of annual leave each year.
• Long service leave available after five years.
• Three weeks of sick leave per year.
• Corporate wellbeing programs, including Fitness Passport and health and wellbeing initiatives.
• Two health and wellbeing days each year.
• Employee benefits program.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Paid parental leave.
• Training and professional development opportunities.

Application and recruitment notes

Applicants should review the position description carefully before applying and be ready to respond to selection criteria questions in the online application. Responses will be assessed and scored, so examples of relevant experience should be provided where requested.

A current resume is required and must include two work-related referees. A cover letter is optional. If support or access adjustments are needed, applicants are encouraged to advise this at the time of application.

Shortlisted candidates who progress further in the process may need to complete pre-employment checks, which can include a physical assessment, hearing test, drug and alcohol screening, reference verification, proof of qualifications and certificates, and a Working with Children Check number if applicable.

Privacy and equal opportunity

Information provided during recruitment will be treated as private and used only by the recruitment selection panel. Cowra Council is committed to fair, equitable and non-discriminatory hiring and values diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Closing date

Applications close at 5:00pm on Monday 29 June 2026.

Contact

For enquiries, please contact the Supervisor - Waste Operations, Anthony Collins, on 02 6340 2142.