Vitrification Test Rig Operations Team Leader

Job Introduction

Job Description for Vitrification Test Rig Operations Team Leader

NNL is where you’ll experiment to help solve global challenges. As part of our Waste Management & Decommissioning capability, your work will impact the lives of generations. By finding new ways to avoid, reduce, store and treat nuclear waste, and drive down the cost of decommissioning, you’ll help to deliver cleaner energy and influence our nation’s energy future. You’ll face new challenges every day, working in unique locations on ground-breaking projects. Whichever area you specialise in this is a place to do great science for a good cause.

The VTR requires four Operations Team Leaders (OTL) to supervise care and maintenance activities and for minimum manning levels during shift operations.This vacancy replaces an existing OTL who is leaving the company.  The role is fully funded through the VTR project and the project is expected to be extended to 2029.

The post holder will plan and execute VTR maintenance (mechanical and electrical) activities to ensure VTR plant is ready for operation and act as an Operations Team Leader during VTR experimental campaigns.  

Role Responsibility

Main Responsibilities for Vitrification Test Rig Operations Team Leader:

• Preparation, updating and validation of instructions and key safety documentation used in both plant and laboratory environments.
• Planning of maintenance and operational activities. 
• Preparation of Safe Systems of Work packages and Work Requests to support operations, maintenance and ad-hoc project activities. 
• Operation of the Vitrification Test Rig to the specification in test schedules; monitoring rig performance and key operating parameters.
• Act as Person Organising Work and Task Supervisor for assigned tasks.
• Deployment and supervision of operators on plant to maintain operation of test rigs.
• Support to technical teams producing experimental proposals and test schedules.
• Liaising with relevant services to facilitate rig maintenance (NNL Compliance Team Leaders, Riggers, Scaffolders, etc.).
• Training and development to operators and technicians, ensuring training records and SQEP status are maintained.
• Management and monitoring of Wastes, disposals, storage of reagent materials, consumables, process samples and good housekeeping standards.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Criteria for Vitrification Test Rig Operations Team Leader:

• HNC in Engineering, Scientific or Process Plant Control discipline (suitable experience considered in lieu of formal qualifications).
• Qualifications and/or experience of supervising others in plant environments.
• Good knowledge and experience of management of safety in operational environments.
• Experience in planning and delivering tasks to safety, quality, time and cost.
• High initiative with the ability to plan and deliver assigned tasks.
• Organiser and Task Supervisor Key Safety Appointment holder or proven ability to attain those roles.
• Ability to develop towards the role of Operations Team Leader to supervise shift operations on the Vitrification Test Rig.
• Ability to obtain SC level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment, financial and criminal record checks plus 5 years’ worth of UK residency).

Desirable Criteria for Vitrification Test Rig Operations Team Leader:

• Good understanding of thermal treatment technologies.
• Trained and experienced to work in active area environments or ability to develop such skills. 
• Demonstrable customer focus with good written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to interact with own team and other departments and at higher levels.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of plant control systems such as operational (DCS) and trending software.
• Good computer/software package/IT skills.

About the Company

NNL is an incredible place to work A place where people do things that have never been done before A place where people push boundaries to further themselves, the business, and society as a whole.

This is a place where personal and professional opportunities are limitless. If you want to change the world, if you want to tackle climate change, if you want to help advance medical science, if you want to help put things in space, if you want to answer the big questions, if you want to work with extraordinary materials, if you want to meet great people, learn new skills, challenge yourself, work flexibly, and build a long successful career with the power to make a real impact… you can do it all here.

NNL has a vision for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity (ED&I) where NNL aims to be an inclusive workplace that attracts diverse talent through transparent and equal policies and procedures. We want you and the diverse mix of people that we employ, customers that we service, and stakeholders that we influence to feel valued. We encourage a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging.

Recruitment Agency Notice

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List (PSL) for the provision of recruitment services. Only agencies on our PSL may provide CVs and only when the role is released to them by our recruitment team. We will not accept unsolicited CVs from suppliers not currently on our PSL. We explicitly reserve the right to add candidate details from unsolicited CVs from non-PSL agencies into our own candidate database and to pursue/hire such candidate(s) without any obligation, financial or otherwise, to the agency concerned.

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory