Waste Classification Specialist

Job Description

Overview

Are you an experienced waste classification professional looking to take the next step in your career? AtkinsRéalis is seeking a proactive and enthusiastic Waste Classification Specialist to join our award-winning Sustainable Land and Resource Management Practice.

Based anywhere in the UK, with flexible hybrid working, you will become part of a highly respected team of waste, materials management, and contaminated land specialists delivering innovative solutions on some of the UK's largest infrastructure projects across the transport, energy, water, and buildings sectors.

This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside industry-leading experts, helping clients navigate complex waste classification challenges while contributing to nationally significant projects in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Your role

As a Waste Classification Specialist, you will lead and support the delivery of waste classification and waste management assessments for a diverse range of projects.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the preparation and delivery of waste classification assessments in accordance with WM3 and other applicable guidance.

• Reviewing and interpreting ground investigation and laboratory analytical data to determine the classification of soils, made ground, sediments, industrial wastes, and other materials.

• Developing waste sampling and analysis plans / strategies to support waste classification and disposal route assessments.

• Assessing materials against landfill Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) and determining suitability for different landfill classes.

• Providing technical advice on waste legislation, hazardous waste assessment, duty of care requirements, and waste management options.

• Preparing technical reports, waste classification assessments, waste management strategies, and regulatory submissions.

• Supporting and leading client relationship management, business development activities, bid preparation, and proposal writing.

• Providing technical guidance, support, and mentoring to junior staff, helping develop waste classification capability across the team.

• Liaising with clients, contractors, laboratories, regulators, and project stakeholders to deliver practical and compliant solutions.

• Supporting multidisciplinary infrastructure projects and working collaboratively with geotechnical, environmental, planning, and engineering teams.

• Managing project programmes, budgets, quality, and health and safety requirements.

• Undertaking site visits and occasional fieldwork to support project delivery.

About you

You will have a strong technical background in waste classification and a thorough understanding of waste legislation and regulatory requirements.

Essential Requirements

• Degree qualified in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline, such as:

  • Environmental Science.
  • Chemistry.
  • Geology.
  • Earth Sciences.
  • Geography.
  • Environmental Engineering.

• Proven experience undertaking waste classification assessments and interpreting environmental analytical data.

• Strong understanding of:

  • WM3 Guidance on the Classification and Assessment of Waste.
  • Hazardous waste legislation.
  • Environmental Permitting Regulations.
  • Landfill Waste Acceptance Criteria.
  • Waste Duty of Care requirements.

• Experience developing waste sampling plans / strategies and reviewing laboratory datasets.

• Experience preparing high-quality technical reports and communicating complex technical information to a range of audiences.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and project management skills.

• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel occasionally throughout the UK.

• Experience using HazWasteOnline or equivalent waste classification tools.

Desirable Requirements

• Chartered status, or working towards chartership with a relevant professional institution.

• Understanding of contaminated land investigation and remediation projects.

• Experience of working on major infrastructure projects.

• Knowledge of CL:AIRE Definition of Waste: Development Industry Code of Practice (DoWCoP).

• Experience engaging with regulators, including the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

#LI-INFRASTRUCTURE | #EnviroJobs

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.