Operative - Dragon

Nuclear Restoration Services; England; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Nuclear Restoration Services in the United Kingdom is seeking an Operative to join our team and support decommissioning, waste management and decontamination work. You’ll work with an experienced team, use specialist equipment and follow established procedures to complete practical tasks safely and efficiently.

You don’t need desk work. We value practical, safety-minded people with a qualification such as an NVQ/BTEC or relevant experience.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 / SCQF Level 5 or equivalent experience.
• Ability to work in decommissioning, waste management or similar sectors.
• Willingness to follow procedures and safety rules.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out hands-on decommissioning, decontamination and waste work.
• Operating powered and lifting equipment as trained.
• Keeping work areas clean, safe and organised.
• Maintaining waste records and reporting progress.

Skills

Safety-minded

Team player

Hands-on

Attention to detail

Education

NQF Level 2 / SCQF Level 5 qualification (BTEC or NVQ)

Tools

Forklift trucks

Overhead cranes

Lifting equipment

Job description

Are you a practical, hands-on person who takes pride in doing a job safely and properly? Would you like to put your skills to work in an environment where teamwork, safety and getting the job done right really matter?

We’re looking for an Operative to join our team and support a range of hands-on decommissioning, waste management and decontamination work. You’ll be working as part of an experienced team, using specialist equipment and following established procedures to safely tackle practical jobs that make a real difference to the progress of our work.

What You Will Be Doing

This is a varied, hands-on role where no two days will necessarily look the same. You’ll get involved in decommissioning and decontaminating plant and equipment, handling and preparing waste, operating equipment and keeping work areas safe and well organised.

Safety comes first. You’ll work in a highly controlled environment, wearing the appropriate protective equipment and following safe systems of work at all times. You’ll be expected to spot hazards, speak up when something doesn’t look right and work closely with your team to complete jobs safely and efficiently.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Carrying out hands-on decommissioning, decontamination and waste work, including sorting, segregating, size-reducing and packaging materials.
• Operating powered and waste-reduction equipment and, where trained and authorised, equipment such as forklift trucks, cranes and lifting or rigging equipment.
• Keeping work areas clean, tidy and safe, identifying hazards through Point of Work Safety Assessments and completing safe handovers and handbacks of work.
• Working closely with your team and Team Leader, maintaining accurate waste records, providing progress updates and helping solve day-to-day operational problems within your level of competence.

Who We Are Looking For

You don’t need to be someone who enjoys sitting behind a desk. We’re looking for people who are comfortable in a practical working environment, can follow detailed instructions and understand that safety and teamwork are essential to getting the job done.

You’ll need a good awareness of safe working practices and be able to wear the protective clothing and equipment required for the role. You must also hold an NQF Level 2 / SCQF Level 5 qualification, such as an appropriate BTEC or NVQ, or have relevant experience. Where the work area requires it, you’ll also need to be able to meet the requirements to become a classified radiation worker in accordance with the Ionising Radiation Regulations.

We’re particularly interested if you have:

• An NVQ Level 2 in Nuclear Decommissioning, or practical experience within decommissioning, waste management, nuclear or industrial waste environments.
• Experience operating forklift trucks, overhead cranes, lifting equipment or similar plant and equipment.
• A practical, safety-conscious approach, with the confidence to work with minimum supervision while following detailed procedures and instructions.
• A driving licence and basic computer skills, together with knowledge of controlled waste management, where applicable.

Ready to get stuck in?

If you’re practical, safety-minded and ready to be part of a team tackling important, hands-on work, we want to hear from you. Bring your skills, experience and willingness to learn, and take the next step in your career with us.

Want to learn more about working at NRS?

Download our Candidate Pack for information about working at NRS and our employee benefits, or visit our Application Process page to learn what to expect during recruitment.

To learn more about NRS and the work we do, we invite you to explore our organisation by visiting Nuclear Restoration Services - GOV.UK. It’s a great way to discover our mission, our people, and the impact we deliver.

We offer a wide range of benefits - discover them all on our Careers website.

Please note: All successful candidates will need to provide proof of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment/education history (typically covering the last 3–5 years) in line with NRS Baseline Security requirements. Some roles may also require full Security Clearance, which involves additional checks. For details, please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) guidance.

At NRS, we value diversity and inclusion and encourage applications from underrepresented groups. We want to ensure you feel supported throughout the application process and provide reasonable adjustments where necessary and requested. If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of your application or interview process, please do not hesitate to let us know.

We offer flexibility on base location for multi-site roles and are happy to discuss flexible working options.

Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the stated deadline should we receive a high volume of applications.