AWE
Characterisation Specialist - Waste

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Characterisation Specialist - Waste
Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.
Package: Starting from £38,020 per year (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)
Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.
Ready to play your part?
At AWE, it’s not just a job, it’s far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?
AWE is currently recruiting for Characterisation Specialist – Waste for the Radiochemistry Group.
About the Role
The Bulk Waste Team provides bulk waste sentencing services for a variety of construction and demolition projects. Within this role you will be responsible for task acceptance, preparation of sampling plans, liaising with our analytical laboratories, data interpretation and reporting to the customer. You will also have the opportunity to support the regulatory environmental monitoring programme at AWE.
Main Responsibilities
- Review and authorise waste characterisation sampling and analysis plans
- Review and authorise waste characterisation reports and certificate
- Work with third parties for waste characterisation, supporting the broader Intelligent Customer (IC) role
- Review and contribute to procedure and process development and compliance (i.e. reviewing OPs, etc)
- Support co-ordination of the bulk waste characterisation programme, e.g. planning and scheduling programme elements, and managing tasking (customer agreements) for assessment surveys, monitoring and analytical requirement for radiological and chemical measurements
- Process, interpret and report measurement test data of required quality standard to specified timescales
- Satisfy all legislative, regulatory and stakeholder requirements
- Support sampling surveys, to include sample collection and in field measurements, using a range of instrumentation
- Assist in programme reviews, development, innovations and implementation
- Understand and apply Company Environment, Health, Safety, Security and Quality Standards
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Requirements
- Effective interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, with the ability to provide technical advice and guidance to customers and stakeholders.
- Experience interpreting complex radiological and chemical data sets and making sound technical judgements.
- Ability to plan, prioritise and coordinate multiple activities in a changing operational environment.
- Experience reviewing, authorising or assuring technical documentation, reports or sampling plans.
- Ability to identify improvements to processes and contribute to procedural development and compliance activities.
- Strong IT skills, particularly within the Microsoft Office suite.
Desirable Skills and Experience
- An HND/BSc/NVQ (level 4+) qualification in a technical based subject (e.g. sciences or mathematics). Equivalent and relevant working experience (minimum of 2 years) is also acceptable.
- Understanding of radiological and chemical materials and measurements.
- Knowledge of regulatory and legislative requirements associated with the operation of a Nuclear Licensed Site, e.g. knowledge of the Environmental Permitting Regulations and waste classification legislation.
Benefits
- 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
- Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
- Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
- Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
- Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
- Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
- Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.


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Important Information
- We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
- You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
- We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
- Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.
- Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.
- Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.
Next steps:
Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.
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