Shift Preservation Operator

Biffa Waste Services; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 59,237,000 - 61,992,000; Full time

Job summary

Biffa Waste Services is seeking a Shift Preservation Operator for the Derby site. The role is fixed-term until 30 November 2026, with an 12-hour shift pattern (days/nights) and a 4 on/4 off cycle. You will preserve the MRF and ACT Gasification Plant, reporting to the Operations Engineer and Shift Team Leaders.

The successful candidate will work to complete daily, weekly, and monthly preservation tasks while maintaining safety and security standards on site.

Qualifications

• Basic engineering and maintenance skills are essential.
• Experience with large industrial plants or EfW operations is required.
• Experience with computerised monitoring and reporting systems is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Accurately record all preservation activities undertaken.
• Assist with preservation procedures and routines.
• Safely operate and inspect plant areas under preservation schedules.
• Assist maintenance with intrusive preservation works/inspections.
• Ensure operations comply with health, safety and environmental constraints.
• Report incidents following H&S procedures.
• Prepare and archive RAMS, work orders and related documents.
• Monitor and test the site's Fire Detection and Fire Suppression systems.
• Conduct regular fire watches and security inspections.
• Record site usage meters and manage access control.
• Handle out-of-hours emergencies per site plans.
• Co-ordinate contractor attendance for cleaning and grounds maintenance.

Skills

Basic engineering & maintenance skills

EfW/industrial plant experience

Monitoring & reporting systems

Job description

Shift Preservation Operator – Derby

Fixed Term Contract until 30/11/2026

Hourly Rate: £21.01

Working Pattern: 4 on 4 off – 12 hour shifts (Days and Nights)

The Derby EfW Facility (DDWTC) is currently in a state of preservation due to operational challenges during commissioning, however, a plan to re-commission and bring the facility back into full operation is currently under development.

Working as part of a small team, the main responsibility of the role is to preserve the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) and Advanced Conversion Technology (ACT) Gasification Plant at Sinfin in Derby. You will report to the Operations Engineer and Shift Team Leaders as required, to ensure the Contracted Preservation Services and activities are carried out safely and efficiently. The successful candidate will work closely with other site colleagues and maintenance staff in completing the daily, weekly and monthly tasks identified as necessary to preserve the sites assets and maintain overall safety and security of the DDWTC site.

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Accurately record all preservation activities undertaken and completed.
• Assist with the production and implementation of key preservation procedures and routines
• Safely operate and inspect the areas of plant and equipment that are regularly operated as part of the ongoing preservation schedules. Report and record any defects or issues found.
• Assist the maintenance team in carrying out intrusive preservation works/ inspections of plant and equipment.
• Ensure that the plant is always operated and/or preserved within the prescribed Health, Safety and Environmental constraints and guidelines.
• To report any incidents, accidents or near misses in line with the companies H&S reporting procedures.
• Ensure that Work Orders, Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) are produced for each site task and activity and that all documents are completed and returned for archiving.
• Monitoring and testing of the sites Fire Detection and Fire Suppression systems.
• Performing regular fire watches and security inspections.
• Taking and recording of various usage meters across site.
• Manage authorised personnel access to site, ensuring appropriate sign-in and access control is adhered to at all times.
• To deal with and record out of hours emergencies and incidents in line with the site incident and emergency action plans and procedures.
• Manage routine contractor attendance for cleaning, grounds maintenance and pest control.

Essential criteria for this role:

• Basic engineering & maintenance skills
• Large Industrial Plant or EfW operative experience or similar
• Experience with computerised monitoring and reporting systems.
• An equivalent combination of experience and education considered.
• Willingness to work shift systems associated with a 24/7 operation.
• Ability to work under own initiative and be self-motivated.
• Understanding of H&S principles in an industrial environment.

Biffa – we’re changing the way people think about waste

At Biffa, we love working with waste. Whether we’re turning it into sustainable power, finding new ways to recycle it or simply keeping it off the streets, we believe every day is an opportunity to improve the lives of millions. It’s a view that’s shared by our 11,000+ people around the country, who trust us to provide them with a career that’s always rewarding, often challenging, but never dull.

We believe different ideas, perspective and backgrounds are key to developing a creative and effective working environment which is why you’ll find us championing diversity and equality at every turn.