Operator

Nuclear Restoration Services; Harwell; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Nuclear Restoration Services at Harwell is recruiting for a hands-on role in nuclear decommissioning and waste management. This full-time position offers a four-day working week, enabling you to balance work with personal priorities while contributing to safe site operations.

You will gain practical experience in processing and packaging waste, decontamination, and the safe operation of specialist equipment. A commitment to safety and teamwork is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in an operational, industrial or manual environment with safety procedures.
• Ability to work across indoor and outdoor environments and follow instructions.
• Willingness to obtain Security Check clearance and pass occupational health requirements.

Responsibilities

• Decommissioning and waste management in controlled areas.
• Operate or assist with powered equipment and rigging when authorised.
• Maintain waste records and handover safe work to next shift.
• Support decontamination and yard-based waste movements.

Skills

Teamwork

Physical fitness

Manual dexterity

Safety-conscious

Reading logs

Education

BTEC/NVQ level 2

Relevant experience

Tools

Forklift operation

RPE / permit-to-work

Job description

Could you see yourself building a career in nuclear decommissioning while enjoying a full-time four-day working week? Based at Harwell, this hands-on role gives you the opportunity to develop valuable experience in radioactive waste management, decontamination and the safe operation of specialist equipment while gaining skills that can open doors across the nuclear sector.

You will join a team delivering practical work that is essential to the safe clean-up of the site. From processing and packaging waste to supporting decontamination activities and waste movements, you'll see the direct impact of your contribution every day while working in a role that offers genuine variety, long-term development and an additional day off every week.

What You Will Be Doing

You will carry out decommissioning, waste management and decontamination activities within a radioactive environment. Your work will help ensure waste is safely identified, processed and prepared for its next destination, supporting the wider progress of the Harwell decommissioning programme.

This is a varied role where no two days look exactly the same. You'll split your time between decontamination facility operations and yard-based waste management activities, working across a mix of indoor and outdoor environments. From processing waste within controlled areas to supporting waste movements and materials handling operations across the site, you'll play an important role in keeping decommissioning activities moving safely and efficiently.

All of this is delivered through a full-time role structured across just four days each week, giving you an additional day to do what matters most outside of work.

• Sort, segregate, reduce and package radioactive and industrial waste.
• Operate powered equipment, cranes, forklift trucks and rigging when authorised.
• Maintain waste records, control signage and safe work handovers.
• Support or undertake (where relevant and after training) maintenance activities.

Who Are We Looking For?

To succeed, you will hold a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 2 / SCQF level 5 qualification e.g. appropriate technical qualification BTEC, NVQ or relevant experience. You will have experience in an operational, industrial or manual working environment where safety, teamwork and following procedures are essential. You'll be comfortable carrying out practical tasks, learning new equipment and working across a mix of indoor and outdoor environments.

You will bring a flexible, dependable approach and enjoy a role where priorities can change from day to day. You'll be comfortable undertaking physically active work, using hand tools and working closely with colleagues to deliver tasks safely and efficiently. Just as importantly, you'll take pride in maintaining high standards and raising concerns whenever safety, quality or environmental performance could be affected, along with the desired skills and experience:

• Waste handling, waste management or materials handling experience.
• Maintenance support, equipment inspections or plant operations experience.
• Forklift, warehouse, loading and unloading operations experience.
• Controlled areas, RPE, decontamination or permit-to-work experience.

Please note that this role involves working in controlled areas and wearing respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Successful candidates will be required to meet the relevant occupational health standards and medical requirements associated with these activities. Candidates must also be capable of obtaining Security Check (SC) clearance.

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

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

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, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible