"We've achieved a lot so far and have a solid base upon which to build..." MD Fiona Macleod.
Job Vacancy – Assistant Environmental and Chemistry Officer
Vacancy Reference: LPL 0029
EPUK Investments Ltd (EPUKI) is the UK division of Energetický a průmyslový holdings (EPH), a leading energy group of over 70 companies that owns and operates assets across Europe. EPH group employs circa 25,000 people internationally, owns €16.7bn of assets, generating €8.6bn of revenue and an EBITDA of €2.1bn.
EPUKI was established in 2015 as the strategic platform for expanding the EPH group into the UK energy market. Since launching, EPUKI has made several acquisitions and now owns multiple renewable and flexible power generating assets in the UK and Ireland.
EPUKI has grown rapidly to revenues ~£1.5bn and EBITDA >£300m. We pride ourselves on an entrepreneurial culture and flat leadership structure where individuals (wherever they are in the organisation) can make a real impact on our business.
Our aim is to enable the UK and Ireland low carbon transition through provision of flexible and reliable energy supply. To achieve this, we will:
- develop, construct, and acquire the right assets to support the transformation of the energy system.
- invest in our people and our assets to best respond to the changing needs of our sector.
- continuously challenge ourselves to identify opportunities, build our knowledge and develop innovative solutions.
EPUKI is one of the largest independent generators in the UK and Ireland, with an asset base that covers multiple technologies and a range of revenue streams; these include fully merchant baseload and peaking plant and index traded baseload plants, providing a range of system services across the energy and balancing spectrum. Despite its significant market presence, EPUKI has a flat structure with fast paced decision-making ability enabling better optimisation of market positions. The market continues to evolve and develop as the UK and Irish governments drive towards Net Zero with increasing challenges of renewables penetration, introduction of hydrogen and other new technologies.
EPUKI purchased Lynemouth Power Limited (LPL), formerly a coal fired power station generating 420MW (enough to power 450,000 homes) and in 2016 invested £400 million to convert to the power station to burn 100% renewable biomass fuel. The biomass conversion was one of the largest engineering projects in the UK. This included large-scale fuel handling and storage facilities at Port of Tyne, upgraded rail infrastructure, biomass fuel silo storage and handling systems, conversion of the combustion systems and a comprehensive overhaul and modification of the power station equipment. The power station operates on a base load to supply electrical power to the national grid and following conversion achieves an 87% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, placing it at the forefront of the UK’s plans to become carbon neutral.
The Opportunity
An opportunity has arisen to recruit an Assistant Environmental & Chemistry Officer in our Operations department based at Lynemouth Power Station.
The Assistant Environmental & Chemistry Officer will be responsible for assisting with the chemical functions associated with the safe, efficient, and environmentally compliant operation of the business. Reporting to the Environmental and Chemistry Officer, the role will have the following principal responsibilities:
- Assisting the Environment and Chemistry departmental development, including co-ordination of work with other departments in alignment with business policies and objectives.
- Overseeing of emissions monitoring and LPL’s waste duty of care.
- Assisting in the management of the power plant chemistry function, including issues relating to, security of supply, performance and plant integrity.
- Assisting the appointed competent person for control of asbestos management on site, hazardous substances (COSHH) and legionella management.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership
Developing of skills to provide leadership to the chemical shift-operators. This will include monitoring of departmental objectives and targets in line with business objectives and operational requirements. The role will include management of chemical operators.
Safety
Providing an exemplar within the department and the wider business for occupational health and safety. This includes demonstrating personal commitment to behavioural safety through actions, ensuring that LPL’s policies, systems, and processes are complied with and assisting in ensuring that departmental activities are planned and implemented safely.
Environmental Management and Compliance
Supporting and backing up in ensuring LPL’s environmental management system operates and complies with the LPL permit and providing support on the management of this function. Supported by the EPUKI Head of Environment and Chemistry and Environmental and Chemistry Officer, the successful candidate will be expected to assist the nominated competent person under the ash lagoon environmental permit to ensure that LPL comply with the Reservoir Act. Other environmental responsibilities will include those relating to environmental monitoring and LPL’s waste duty of care.
Plant Chemistry and Condition Monitoring
Responsibilities in relation to plant chemistry are those relating to the security and quality of supply of demineralised water for the steam generation cycle, and chemistry relating to the integrity and performance of the boiler/ turbine and feedwater systems. Supported by the Environmental and Chemistry Officer, the successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the plant and for providing routine direction to the activities of the shift chemical operators.
Other plant and equipment under the role’s operational responsibility includes the sodium hypochlorite dosing plant for the seawater cooling water system, the treated cooling water dosing plant and the dosing of the domestic boilers. Condition monitoring responsibilities include the management of the impressed current cathodic protection systems and the sewage treatment plant.
Performance and Improvement
Assisting on the identification, development and implementation of measures to continuously improve departmental and functional efficiency, and to promote a forward-looking, solution-focused approach in support of business policies and objectives.
Technical Competence and Development
Assisting in identifying and internally communicating best practice relating to environmental management, plant chemistry and other functions relevant to the departmental responsibilities.
Finance
Assisting in proposing and managing the departmental budget and for delivering on department’s commitments for operational and capital cost control in accordance with approved business plans.
Our Ideal Candidate
Knowledge and Experience Required
- Experience of laboratory analysis equipment and techniques
- Demonstrable competence in use of IT skills
- Laboratory analysis equipment and techniques
- Demonstrable industrial experience, preferably within power generation or other relevant sectors
- Process and environmental monitoring
- Specific experience in water treatment, including ion exchange or reverse osmosis demineralisation
Background
- Laboratory analysis equipment and techniques
- Demonstrable industrial experience, preferably within power generation or other relevant sectors
- Process and environmental monitoring
- Specific experience in water treatment, including ion exchange or reverse osmosis demineralisation
Qualifications
- Possess or be working towards a degree in a relevant science or engineering discipline
- Working to Membership of recognised professional institution – desirable
- WAMITAB – desirable, although training will be provided
- NEBOSH – desirable, although training will be provided
To apply for this position please go to EPUKi – Careers
