I am currently employed as a Waste Technical Support Specialist on a Nuclear Licensed Site based in the north of Scotland. I have been performing in this role for the past 2 years. As part of this role, I am responsible for the efficient disposal of both radioactive and non-radioactive waste from the various projects based on site; performing audits and inspections to ensure safe the management of these wastes.
This role involves; working directly with the project teams to ensure that waste is disposed of as quickly as possible from the point of generation and working with our regulators to ensure that waste is managed, controlled and stored/disposed of correctly and safely.
Previous to this role, I was employed as a Senior Lab Analyst/Supervisor at GSL, Westlakes, after progressing from a Scientific Apprentice with British Nuclear Group. This role included supervising safe work practises, performing and developing several analytical methods, working successfully to ISO accreditations, performing audits and inspections and producing reports of analytical results for our various customers.
I have excellence interpersonal skills and can communicate effectively with all levels of the work force; from general operators to regulators and company management. I am extremely hard working and enjoy working both on my own and as part of a team.
After my time on this site, I feel it is time for a change in career. I have enjoyed my Time at Dounreay, however I am ready to excel in a new challenge. I believe that the opportunities available within your organisation are an ideal platform to do this.
Profile
I am flexible and reliable within the working environment, adaptable to change, as workload demands. I am able to work within a team environment as well as under my own initiative. I have a highly organised and responsible approach to work. I am pro-active, keen to learn and undertake new challenges.
Current Employment
Dounreay Ltd
Thurso
Caithness
Scotland
August 2008- Present
Waste Tactics, Characterisation and Disposal Specialist
• To review and approve project specific waste plans (PSWPs)
• To liase with site projects managers and provide guidance and advice on all waste issues, including environmental impact, characterisation and disposal.
• To assist in the development of project specific waste plans associated with the Dounreay Site.
• To facilitate interactions and discussions between WSU and Site Projects on waste issues.
• Interface and co-ordinate with site projects, safety, environmental, QA, radiological advisors and contractors to help aid site decommissioning by co-ordinating and facilitating preparation of waste plans, including PWSPs and BWPs.
• Analysis of existing waste routes on the Dounreay site and development of future waste routes and disposal facilities for future decommissioning at Dounreay.
• Involved in the management of all wastes (non radioactive and radioactive) on the Dounreay Site, which includes off site disposals, disposals to the environment and long term storage of radioactive wastes.
• Perform quality audits relating to waste within facilities on the Dounreay site.
• Continuously assess, evaluate and update waste documentation on the Dounreay Site.
Previous Employment
Geoffrey Schofields Laboratories
Westlake Science Park
Moor Row
Cumbria
September 2003-August 2008
• Experienced in a range of radiochemical and radiometric laboratories within GSL.
• Competent in writing and reviewing ASIs, GSIs, QAAM’s and working procedures and instructions.
• Experience in writing and reviewing work safety plans, hazard sheets, COSHH assessments and other health and safety documents within the nuclear industry.
• Experience working with QA standards ISO 17025, ISO 18001, and ISO 9001. This includes analysing quality auditing documentation and taking part in quality audits, working alongside a qualified auditor.
• Carried out work on a range of intercomparrison quality control analysis. This includes analysis of the sample and compiling the end report for the customer.
• Manager of the GSL apprenticeship scheme. Duties include: interviewing prospective apprentices, delivering the introduction pack, organising the three year scheme for each apprentice and liasing between the apprentice, college, NVQ verifiers and governing body to ensure the whole scheme operates efficiently.
• Qualified A1/A2 Assessor.
• Work along side our research team to develop and improve new methods and techniques to carry out our chemistry.
• Currently a team supervisor in the High Environmental Laboratory, my role includes:
o Carrying out work using a range of analytical methods.
o Complying with and understanding all the health and safety rules and guidelines within the nuclear industry.
o In charge of a large area of work. This has given me the opportunity to learn how to plan and manage work effectively, and prioritise the workload, as we are regularly required to produce analytical results to our customer on a tight time schedule.
o Carry out checking and reporting results to the customer. Results analysed against previous reported result, so any abnormal/trends can be highlighted and addressed. This has made me competent with SLIMS (Sellafield Laboratory Information Management System), Microsoft Office Applications and Lotus Notes.
o Analysing data and producing reports for the customer.
o Can produce analysis within the various quality control systems in operation (ISO 17025) within analytical, technical and environmental services.
o Manage all the QC aspects for the methods in use. This includes ordering and maintaining QC standards, all check for QC standards, analysis of the data from the results, and plotting the charts. Charts ensure the results reported are within our 95% confidence levels and the methods used are within parameters.
o Training new staff
o Work to Win champion for GSL, Westlakes.
While working at GSL, I spent time working with the Environmental monitoring and sampling team on the Sellafield site. While here, I gained experience in a range of sampling techniques and knowledge of monitoring procedures, both theoretical and practical. I gained background knowledge in the necessity of environmental monitoring on nuclear sites and implications the process has.
As part of my time with the team, I was able gain some plant experience. This gave me experience working in radioactive areas and handling radioactive materials. It helped further my knowledge and understanding of health and safety procedures and documentation and their implementation on a nuclear licensed site.
While I was working for the company, I was named the British Nuclear Group, Project Services apprentice of the year. This was awarded to me for excellence in the workplace and at college.
Additional Experience/Courses
Entec Waste Officer Training
Radiation Worker Course
Behavioural Safety
Contaminated Land
Microsoft Office Course
Lotus Notes
Classified Workers
Site clearance obtained
IOSHH Working Safely Course
Save a Life
COSHH
Standards and Expectations
Sealed source Users
Education and Qualifications
St. Benedict’s catholic High School, September 1996- June 2001
West Cumbria Catholic Sixth Form Centre, September 2001- June 2003
Lakes College West Cumbria, September 2003-June 2007
A Levels Results
Subject Grade
English Literature C
Biology E
Design and Technology B
General Studies C
Further Education
ONC Applied Sciences
HNC Chemistry
HND Chemistry
NVQ
NVQ Laboratory Techniques-Level 2 and 3.
Qualified A1/A2 NVQ Assessor
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