Salary - £66,104

Location - Flexible (Preferred hubs: Penrith, Preston, Wallingford, Reading, Bristol, Bridgwater)

Grade - NG1a

Post Type - Permanent

Advert Closing Date - 27^th April

Interview Dates - Week commencing 18^th May - face to face interviews in Birmingham

About Us

We are currently recruiting for a Nuclear Waste Assessor to join our Nuclear Regulation Group.

At the Environment Agency, we are responsible for regulating the disposal of radioactive waste across the whole of the nuclear industry in England. Our nuclear waste assessors provide specialist technical advice and support as part of our regulatory capability.

Using your knowledge of radioactive waste management and environmental safety factors, you'll work alongside our nuclear site regulators, as well as interacting with a range of external bodies, to determine the suitability of proposals for managing and disposing of radioactive waste at both proposed and existing facilities.

Representing the Environment Agency to the nuclear industry, other regulators in the UK and overseas, the public and occasionally the media, your work will have a tangible impact on radioactive waste management in the UK.

Why Choose Us:

Make a real difference: By joining our team, your work will actively contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable environment in which we can all thrive and tackling the challenges posed by climate change head-on.

Professional growth: The Environment Agency offers opportunities for career advancement and the chance to work on diverse and impactful projects; you'll gain valuable experience and enhance your skills as part of our dedicated team.

Continuous learning: It's not just your own professional development that will be encouraged. You'll play a vital role in coordinating the delivery of technical training and mentoring of staff on regulation activities.

Collaboration and partnership: Collaborate with experienced professionals in a supportive and inclusive environment, and play a key role where continuous learning, through your coordination and delivery of technical training and the mentoring of staff on monitoring activities will ensure a consistent and professional service.

Team environment: Work as part of a close-knit multi-disciplinary team of like-minded individuals who share your passion for the environment. Together, we make a real impact and create a better world for all.

Champion Health, Safety and Wellbeing: Become the champion for and health, safety and wellbeing (HSW) practices. You will play a leadership role in promoting a positive HSW culture across the regulation team.

Incident Response: Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You'll be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.  

What will you do?

Nuclear Waste Assessors are part of our Nuclear Regulation Group. They provide specialist technical advice to support our regulation of existing nuclear sites, and to influence the environmental performance of future facilities.

You will support specialist technical input in one or more of the following areas according to your area of experience:

• Solid radioactive waste characterisation, optimisation, treatment and conditioning.


• Solid waste disposal engineering, site characterisation and associated hydrogeology and geochemistry.


• Assessment of environmental safety cases, including proposals for on-site, near-surface and geological disposal of wastes.


• Conceptual and numerical modelling, analysis of results, scenario analysis and approaches to verification, validation and uncertainty.


• Assessment of nuclear site waste management plans for higher activity wastes.


• Contribution to the development of nuclear waste management policy, regulatory guidance and internal technical guidance.

What will I need?

Essential:

Together with a scientific degree or equivalent vocational experience, you'll have lived in the UK for the last 3 years in line with Environment Agency enhanced security checks. You'll have some experience of the disposal and/or preparation for disposal of solid radioactive waste within the nuclear or associated industry with a sound understanding of corresponding environmental challenges and issues.  You'll be looking to further develop your skills. You'll also possess a proven ability to assess and analyse technical proposals. Experience of safety cases for radioactive waste management and disposal is desirable.

You'll also need:

• A proven ability to assess and analyse technical proposals, ideally with experience of assessing safety cases for radioactive waste management and disposal. 


• To make decisions by assessing incomplete and disparate information/evidence.


• The ability to prioritise work to ensure tasks are achieved to time, quality and cost. The ability to make decisions by assessing incomplete and disparate information/evidence.


• Ability to prioritise work to ensure tasks are achieved to time, quality and cost. 


• Excellent technical report writing. 


• Experience of working in a customer-facing role and understanding of good customer practice. 


• The ability to develop and maintain relationships with immediate team members and those from other teams. 


• The ability to communicate with and influence the full range of internal and external stakeholders with whom you'll interact to ensure that our nuclear regulation programmes are delivered. 

The role involves work across office and nuclear site locations in England so there will be some travel. Occasional overseas travel may be required. Nuclear sites are generally not conveniently accessible by public transport; hence the post requires a full UK driving licence. 

What's in it for you?

You'll benefit from a culture that embraces difference and is inclusive where you'll feel supported and trusted to do the right thing. We'll invest in you and allow you to grow and shape your career.

What's more, you'll have access to our great benefits package including:

• A competitive salary.


• 27 days holiday + 8 bank holidays.


• Great career opportunities.


• Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave scheme.


• A range of flexible working options plus many more!

As an organisation, we strive to reflect the communities we serve, to achieve this we welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, sexual orientation, and religion. If you have any questions regarding the vacancy or application process, please contact the recruitment team at [email protected]. 

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the UK's biggest environmental organisation. Join us and together, let's tackle the challenges of a changing climate, ensure nuclear energy is a safe and secure energy source and build a more sustainable future. Apply now and embark on a rewarding and fulfilling career journey with the Environment Agency.