Senior Environmental Specialist

Nuclear Restoration Services; Thurso; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Nuclear Restoration Services seeks a Senior Environmental Specialist to lead land quality activities at Dounreay, combining geo-environmental science with nuclear decommissioning to safeguard people and the environment.

You will deliver phase-based land quality assessments, remediation, and regulatory compliance, while guiding project teams and stakeholders toward safe site closure.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in a science or engineering discipline (or equivalent experience) with significant contaminated land expertise.
• Experience of working at nuclear (desirable)/engineering sites with knowledge of contaminated land legislation, guidance and industry standards, with hands-on remediation experience.
• Background in geology, hydrogeology, geotechnical, environmental science or geochemistry.
• Professionally affiliated (ideally Chartered), with excellent interpersonal skills and capability to meet role-specific physical capability assessment requirements.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality land quality assessments and remediation work to support safe decommissioning and regulatory compliance.
• Interpret complex data, identify risks and drive solution-focused responses with project teams, regulators and stakeholders.
• Develop and implement management systems enabling site closure and release from regulatory control.
• Lead and mentor team members and perform management appointment responsibilities.
• Communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Land quality assessments

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder communication

Geo-environmental expertise

Remediation

Education

Degree in science or engineering

Contaminated land expertise

Chartered (desirable)

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Environmental Specialist with experience in Geo-Environmental, Contaminated Land and/or Remediation disciplines to join our Site Services team, playing a key role in supporting Dounreay's mission through expert land quality management. This is a rare opportunity to work at the interface of environmental science and nuclear decommissioning, helping to protect people, the environment and the future use of the site as we progress towards closure.

As part of the Land Quality Team, you will apply your professional expertise to real, complex challenges, undertaking assessments, investigations and remediation activities, while advising site programmes and strengthening how land quality is managed across Dounreay. This is a highly influential role for a confident specialist who wants to make a lasting impact.

What Will I Be Doing

In this senior role, you will deliver high-quality land quality assessments and remediation work, applying specialised knowledge and expert judgement to support safe decommissioning and regulatory compliance. You will interpret complex data, identify risks and drive solution-focused responses, while working closely with project teams, regulators and stakeholders and contributing to the development of management systems that enable site closure and release from regulatory control.

Key deliverables are:

• Undertake land quality assessments including: Phase 1 - Preliminary Investigations and risk assessments, Phase 2 - exploratory site investigations and risk assessments, Phase 3 - implementation of remediation schemes, Phase 4 - remediation completion and verification reporting, and Phase 5 - Site closure activities
• Recommend and implement solution-based responses to land quality and decommissioning challenges
• Analyse, model and interpret complex environmental data to inform robust decision-making
• Identify non-compliance or poor practice and implement effective remedial actions
• Communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders and provide professional leadership, including line management where required
• Perform the responsibilities of management appointments relevant to the post

What Will I Bring

You will be an experienced geo-environmental professional with a strong technical background and a practical, collaborative approach. Comfortable working in regulated environments, you will bring credibility, clear communication skills and the confidence to influence safe and effective outcomes.

• Degree-qualified in a science or engineering discipline (or equivalent experience) with significant contaminated land expertise
• Experience of working at nuclear (desirable)/engineering sites with a strong knowledge of contaminated land legislation, guidance and industry standards, with hands-on remediation experience
• Background in a relevant discipline such as geology, hydrogeology, geotechnical, environmental science or geochemistry
• Professionally affiliated (ideally Chartered), with excellent interpersonal skills and the capability to meet role-specific physical capability assessment requirements

We are looking to hold interviews week commencing Monday 2nd of October 2026, however, 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.

If you require assistance at any point during the recruitment process contact [e-mail] at the appropriate time so we can make any necessary, reasonable adjustment.

Please note: All successful candidates who do not already hold security clearance 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.