Brilliant news, we have converted 50% of our electricity supply from brown to green! Which means instead of using electricity generated by burning coal and gas we are now using electricity from lovely 100% renewable biomass!
We currently spend over 5M per annum on electricity, so the even better news is the green energy is cheaper than the brown stuff, as it is exempt from Climate Change Levy (a tax on commercial electricity supplies).
Haven power will be supplying us electricity derived from 100% renewable biomass which is provided by their parent company Drax Power. Drax Power work directly with individual farmers and landowners to secure biomass from sustainable sources and to reinforce this commitment with an established sustainability policy.
Through undertaking the largest steam turbine modernisation project in UK history and the largest renewable, biomass co-firing project in the world, Drax is set to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by over three and a half million tonnes each year.

Right this is not good- we have now had 3 people leave our team in as many months! Kay has left us to go back home to Nottingham. Ed- who looked after our EMS, was offered a graduate trainee scheme with Tesco- which is an opportunity he cold not turn down….

Ed second from Left and Kay- far right..have both left for pastures new

..and now James who was Ed’s “understudy” has been offered an amazing opportunity with Loughborough University- working on a 4 year Sustainable Construction EngD. This leaves us sad and a bit paranoid…only kidding, we know we are a great team to work with – it’s just we support and nurture our staff too well that they get headhunted!!!

James is leaving us after completing his MSc dissertation and helping steer us to EcoCampus gold standard.

This means we now have an opportunity for an Environmental Management Graduate Placement.

Newcastle University Sustainability Team is looking for a suitably experienced graduate for a 5 month student placement.

Salary is GBP 15,353 per annum pro rata

The graduate should have some experience in practical implementation of Environmental Management Systems.

The placement will mainly involve taking a leading role in the development of our EMS, EcoCampus (with guidance).

Please send a CV and covering letter outlining your experience in EMS implementation and why you are suitable for the role.

Please see below for the job description.

THE ROLE IS AVAILABLE TO FILL NOW. Closing date Friday Sept 30th

Please include mobile phone number in the application as interviews will be held at the start of October.

More info about the sustainability team and eco campus here: www.ncl.ac.uk/saveit

Job description

Eco campus Environmental Management System

Newcastle University

Student placement project (Platinum phase of Eco campus) EMS Officer

Main purpose

Support the function of the Estates Support Service by developing the EcoCampus Environmental Management System

Main duties and responsibilities

Implements the EMS, specifically the operating and checking phases (equivalent to phases 4 and 5 of BS8555)
Completes training plan for all staff.
Develops training delivery in conjunction with Staff Development Unit.
Develops operational control procedures in line with objectives and targets.
Communicates roles and responsibilities of EMS to staff.
Develops a procedure for documenting EMS procedures.
Develops a system to ID and respond to environmental communications and emergencies.
Completes the EMS Manual
Begins audit planning and developing monitoring procedures
Conducts internal EMS and operational audits
Attends weekly meetings to progress the EMS

Dimensions

Providing help and support to the Eco campus EMS implementation team.
Carry out desk based work, interviewing and external research and investigative work.
Attend external forums, networking groups and training sessions.

Knowledge skills and experience

Good working knowledge of Environmental Management Systems
Numerate and literate
Good working knowledge of MS office
Good interpersonal skills
Planning and Organisation
Weekly reporting to the EMS management team
Assisting in reporting to the EMS implementation team, including senior management
Manage own workload
Uses initiative and works well to deadlines

Internal and external relationships

Liaise with staff of all categories.
Attend workshops training and network events facilitated by Newcastle University and third parties.

Please contact:

Daniel O’Connor | Waste Manager
daniel.oconnor@ncl.ac.uk
T: 0191 2223963
M:07807070339
F: 0191 2226276