Engineering LTV

Introduction

With over 35 years experience, CAT is dedicated to informing, inspiring and enabling in the field of sustainability through a diverse range of activities. The Centre offers information and education and has a visitor and conference centre. We attract around 60,000 people a year and employ more than 100 dedicated and creative staff.

Based in beautiful mid-Wales, the Centre overlooks the Snowdonia National park, renowned for its stunning scenery and outdoor activities. Within easy reach of the local beaches and University town of Aberystwyth, Machynlleth has a vibrant local community, has a lively arts and music scene and is a great place for families.  

About the LTV Scheme

Volunteers are extremely important to the work at CAT and the achievements over the last 30 years simply wouldn't have happened without the hard work, inspiration and dedication of the initial idealists who founded the centre in 1975.

Long Term Volunteers (LTV’s) come every March and September to work full time for 6 months in various departments across CAT.  Whilst gaining hands-on valuable work experience and learning more about sustainability during their unpaid placement, individuals make a valuable contribution to the work of CAT which is highly appreciated.

LTV’s find accommodation locally and need to be completely self funding.  Anyone is welcome to apply but you must be over 18 years old. 

Interested individuals should consider the different roles and apply for these unpaid placements by filling in our application form or alternatively sending a CV and a thorough covering letter explaining your motivation for volunteering, why you would be suitable for the role and any information that could be useful in your application.  Please clearly state which role you are applying for.  You are welcome to apply for more than one position but please indicate this in your application and explain, for each role, why you would like to do this role. 

Please see www.cat.org.uk/jobs for details of each of the roles and www.cat.org.uk/volunteers for more information about the LTV scheme.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us, 01654 705955, vacancy@cat.org.uk  

About the Engineering department

The Engineering department works on a wide variety of mechanical and electrical projects.

About the job

The volunteer will help with whatever jobs are current and encouraged to learn new skills and/or develop existing ones in the field of renewable energy systems.

Responsibilites

Tasks may include the following.

Assisting with operation and maintenance of:

• Site heating systems – In winter running of the woodchip boiler, in summer solar water heating systems.
• Wind systems – We have several small wind turbines on site which may require repairs or maintenance. We are responsible for the O&M of the 75k W Vestas community wind turbine which requires routine maintenance.
• Hydroelectric turbine – The 3.4W Pelton turbine provides a significant proportion of CAT’s electricity needs. The reservoir level is monitored daily and the turbine is turned on and off accordingly. This is carried out alongside the operation of the corresponding power control system.
• Cliff Railway – CAT’s water-balanced cliff railway requires regular maintenance including a tri-seasonal cable-shorten operation.
• Displays – Working with the display co-ordinators to maintain existing interactive displays and develop new ones.
• Assisting engineers in ensuring that the workshops remain in order and safe.

Person Specification

Essential

• Mechanical and electrical aptitude
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
• Enthusiasm
• Interest in environmental and sustainability issues
• Flexible with an enthusiastic and positive disposition
• Keen and willing to learn

Desirable

• Engineering qualification or trade

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