Job Title: Hazardous Waste Treatment & Transfer Chemist
Salary £32K-£35K per annum
Location: Oates Environmental
Employment Type: Full-time, permanent
Reports to: Site/General Manager
Role Purpose
To ensure the safe, compliant, and efficient handling, testing, and processing of hazardous wastes within the treatment plant and transfer station. The Chemist will play a key role in pre-acceptance, laboratory analysis, waste characterisation, and treatment optimisation, supporting site operations to remain compliant with regulatory permits and driving continuous improvement in waste treatment efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
* Waste Acceptance & Compliance
* Conduct pre-acceptance and acceptance testing of incoming wastes (bulk, drummed, and packaged).
* Verify waste documentation (consignment notes, EWC codes, HP codes) and ensure compliance with permit and ADR requirements.
* Ensure incompatible wastes are segregated and managed safely.
Laboratory & Process Testing
* Perform laboratory analysis (pH, metals testing, flammability, compatibility testing, WAC analysis support, etc.) to determine appropriate treatment/disposal routes.
* Provide continual process testing for treatment systems (e.g., ultrafiltration, blending, neutralisation, aqueous/organic separation).
* Record, interpret, and report analytical results accurately using LIMS/Excel.
Operational Support
* Advise site teams on safe handling, bulking, blending, and repacking of wastes.
* Maintain adequate stocks of containers, reagents, and consumables to support site throughput.
* Support routing of wastes to final outlets (incineration, treatment, recycling, recovery, or landfill).
Compliance & Safety
* Work to ensure site operations meet EA permit conditions, HSE standards, ADR, COSHH, and DSEAR requirements.
* Maintain laboratory housekeeping to GLP standards.
* Participate in internal/external audits (EA, ISO, H&S inspections).
Continuous Improvement
* Support waste stream trials and treatment optimisation projects.
* Provide technical input to commercial/sales teams for quotations and customer queries.
* Contribute to staff training on chemical hazards, waste compatibility, and safe laboratory practices.
Skills, Qualifications & Experience
* Degree (or minimum HNC) in Chemistry, Environmental Science, or related discipline – essential.
* Experience in a hazardous waste transfer/treatment facility – essential.
* Practical laboratory experience in waste testing, compatibility checks, and chemical analysis – essential.
* Knowledge of hazardous waste legislation (EWC, HP codes, ADR, WM3) – desirable.
* Strong organisational skills with attention to detail and record-keeping.
* Ability to work effectively with site operations and commercial teams.
* IT literate (Excel, LIMS, waste tracking systems).
Key Competencies
* Safety-first mindset and regulatory awareness.
* Analytical and problem-solving approach.
* Effective communicator across technical and operational teams.
* Ability to balance compliance requirements with commercial site objectives.
* Proactive in identifying improvements to waste handling and treatment.
Equal Opportunities
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of background, experience, or identity. We are committed to creating a workplace that is fair, inclusive, and respectful for everyone.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £32,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Free parking
* On-site parking
Work Location: In person