Environmental Permitting Support

Great British Nuclear (GBN) is a new government arm’s length body supporting the delivery of Britain’s energy security and net zero, making sure that we can power Britain from Britain sustainably. It has been set up to turn nuclear ambition into reality. GBN’s first step was to start the technology selection process for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in July 2024. SMRs can potentially be quicker to deploy and less expensive to build than traditional nuclear power plants because they are smaller, have factory based modular manufacturing, and more flexible deployment options. GBN is aiming to deliver fast, based on a supportive and collaborative culture which values equality and diversity and creates an inclusive workplace.

Our activities will be driven by our values, which are:

• Trust - We prioritise safety, we act responsibly and with integrity.
• Collaborative - We work as a team; we value diversity and expertise.
• Challenge - We are curious and courageous in the way we think and act.
• Care - We are thoughtful, inclusive and respectful of others.
• Drive - We get things done and we make a difference.

Job profile: Working in the permissions team you will support the Permits Manager in managing and co-ordinating the development environmental permit applications and similar applications or other submissions. Specific to the job is to provide expertise in understanding the radiological emissions associated with proposed project technologies at a site based level and work towards the delivery of successful EP-RSA applications.

Key aspects of the job will involve engaging with SMR Technology Providers (TPs), to work with the information related to the subject area produced by the TPs, including information produced in the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process, to support GBN in engagement with the TPs in the development of an optimised site, the development of an appropriate Best Available Techniques (BAT) case and to work towards the development of successful EP-RSA applications including through specifying scopes of work and managing supply chain activities.

The GBN main project office is situated in Warrington. It will be necessary to be present at the Warrington office no fewer than on average 2 days every two weeks or an equivalent project location. In addition, the role may require visits to GBN project sites, to our London office and to other locations as necessary in order to fulfil this role. Particular to this role is the potential to need to work closely with the successful SMR technology providers at their offices.

General Responsibilities Associated with Environmental Permitting:

• Work with the Permitting Manager and other members of the leadership team in developing the strategy and plans for environmental permitting activities.
• Ensure alignment between permitting assumptions and the baseline project scope and ensure close coordination between permitting, project development/design activities, land use planning and coordinate with related licensing and organisational capability development work.
• Ensure best practice is implemented in relation to creation of evidence and management of documents and records.
• Engaging with external stakeholders (including in particular the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales) in relation to environmental permitting.
• Actively engage in communications/consultation activities associated with both the Planning Consents and Permits team and wider project.
• Managing overall delivery to cost, time, quality and to meet defined objectives.

Responsibilities Specific to this Role:

• Act as overarching technical lead for EP-RSA permitting activities.
• Review GDA submissions to identify current status of the design and define areas of further work required for EP-RSA submissions.
• Work with TPs to understand their proposals to close GDA submission gaps and address any regulatory issues, observations and/or assessment findings.
• Work with TPs to understand their proposals to develop site-specific design, ensuring that the design is developed and assessed as BAT, to inform the EP-RSA application.
• Develop the scope and programme for the EP-RSA application, including supporting modelling, assessments and other supporting information.
• Identify and develop a programme for the supply of design and operational information required to inform for the EP-RSA application.
• Specify and manage the delivery of supply chain activities in support of the EP-RSA permissions.
• Work with the TP to develop a clear structure, format and programme for the development of the BAT Case (by the TP), and review and accept TP produced elements of the BAT case.
• Produce and arrange a suitable review of BAT assessments and associated technical documentation.
• Ensure that the source term is appropriately defined and will be produced by the TP in accordance with GBN's requirements.
• Determine the optimum strategic approach for the delivery of the modelling and assessment of radioactive discharges and discharge parameters, including limit setting (either by the TP, GBN or a combination of both) and ensure that there is an effective plan in place and being delivered to support GBN's EP-RSA permitting schedule.
• Produce the radioactive waste management strategy and work with the relevant management arrangements lead(s) (GBN and TP based) to develop and deliver management arrangements required for the EP-RSA application.
• Deliver the EP-RSA application and supporting documents and assessments.
• Engage with the Regulators on the EP-RSA application and support proposals for regulatory change in order to optimise the permitting processes to facilitate nuclear new build development while ensuring that regulatory requirements are achieved and high standards or control of radiological emissions are maintained.
• Support other GBN submissions for other regulatory requirements relating to radioactive wastes, discharges, accidents, and emergency response.
• Provide active input into the development of GBN's organisational intelligence, supporting or leading on internal communication activities and the development of enduring records.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required:

• A proven track record in the management and delivery of similar scopes of work.
• Demonstrable technical knowledge and experience of the legal and regulatory requirements for projects at all stages of the permitting process.
• Recent experience working in a similar role in the nuclear sector.
• Track record of delivering projects on time and on budget.
• Understanding the needs of quality and how quality is assured and controlled in their area of expertise.
• Good presentation, influencing and facilitation skills.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, able to develop relationships and maintain effective networks.
• Experience of successfully engaging and communicating with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical field.
• Full membership (at minimum) of a relevant professional institution.