Wastewater Operator

About the role

Working hours: 37 hours per week (flexible working will be considered)

Permanent

Salary: £26,450 - £33,062

Location: Howdon, Newcastle

Do you have an interest in the environment? Do you want to be part of a company dedicated to treating wastewater in ways that protect the environment and improve the quality of our coastlines? As a Wastewater Operator, you'll be on the front-line making sure our environment is kept safe for everyone.

You’ll join an experienced team who can support your transition into the role. You’ll keep our treatment plants and pumping stations running at their best. You’ll handle water samples, monitor equipment, and analyse trends to ensure the wastewater is treated to our exacting standards. Full training will be provided to ensure you are up to speed in no time.

You’ll get to know our systems inside and out. From fault-finding to routine tasks, your role will be vital to meeting our environmental commitments and keeping operations safe. Your attention to detail will guide you as you carry out key checks, ensuring we meet our regulatory expectations. Hard hats and safety checks come with the territory. You’ll carry out routine inspections and follow health and safety protocols.

About You

Don’t worry if you’re new to wastewater treatment, we’ll train you in all the technical skills you’ll need to do a great job. The important stuff is that you’re a great team player with a positive 'can do' attitude and ready to learn. If that’s you, we want to hear from you.

We’re looking for someone who is proactive, organised and able to work on their own. Being detail-focused is key here: nothing should slip past you, whether it’s a recording issue or a safety measure that needs attention. Good communication skills along with a practical, hands-on approach and a knack for problem-solving would be great.

A full UK driving license is essential for travelling between sites whilst at work - and yes, we’ll provide the van. You’ll need to be able to use different technologies and Apps, so if you’re a bit of a techie this could be for you. If you’ve got an eye for trends and love tackling problems hands-on, you’ll be right at home with us. Experience with following processes and using equipment? Perfect. Familiarity with water or wastewater processes? Even better, come and talk to us!

Are you ready to play a key part in safeguarding the environment and making a difference for the communities we serve? Apply today and join us at Northumbrian Water.

Here at Northumbrian Water, we embrace and value Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, and encourage all colleagues to bring their most authentic self to work. Our colleague network groups include our Rainbow Support Network (LGBTQIA+), REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), WiSTEM (Women in STEM) and Thisability (disability and neurodiversity) networks. They provide a safe space for colleagues from diverse backgrounds, welcoming all colleagues regardless of their personal characteristics to participate in valuable conversation that improves our organisational awareness, understanding and inclusivity.

We encourage and welcome all applications, as we strive to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to having diverse communities represented within all our teams, structures, and organisation.

About us

Here at NWG, we strive to make Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) a Great Place to Work for all. We embrace and value Diversity, Inclusion and Equity and encourage you to bring your full self to work. As an equal opportunity employer, we’re committed to having a diverse community represented across our business.

We’re aware that not everyone will have every skill listed in the job description; however, if you have some of the skills listed, we’d encourage you to apply.

Please note: This role has been defined as a safety or security critical role and as a condition of a formal offer of employment you’ll be required to undergo a drug and alcohol test. Prospective employees and agency workers in defined safety and security critical roles will be required to undertake a drug and alcohol test after the job offer has been made. This will be prior to or within four weeks of their start date. Prospective employees and agency workers who fail a pre-employment urine drug screen will have their sample analysed by the Company appointed laboratory as a matter of course. Failing a pre-employment drugs or alcohol test may lead to the job offer being revoked. Please note this role may require a DBS to be completed prior to employment.

Our purpose at NWG is caring for the essential needs of our communities and environment, now and for generations to come. We do this by providing reliable and affordable water and wastewater services for our customers. We make a positive difference by operating efficiently and investing prudently, to maintain a sustainable and resilient business. Our vision is to be the national leader in the provision of sustainable water and wastewater services. To support us in achieving our vision, we have five core values which are the guiding principles, defining who we are, what we do and how we do it.

Our benefits

We’re a Great Place to Work because of the amazing people who work for us, and to say thank you we offer a range of benefits to colleagues. Our 'Tap Into' benefits include:

• Generous holiday entitlement starting at 23 days, plus bank holidays and additional time off on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. There’s also the option to buy or sell holidays.
• Company pension scheme, where we’ll double match your contributions up to an employer contribution of 10%.
• Free access to local attractions.
• A fantastic discount scheme, with savings on days out, shopping, travel and more.
• Award-winning 'Living Well' wellbeing support, including access to a digital GP service for you and your family members.
• Support with sustainable travel - through salary sacrifice cars and a cycle to work scheme.
• Financial wellbeing support - access our community savings scheme, financial education and low-cost loans through Salary Finance.
• We also provide 4 x Life Assurance and an Income Protection Scheme.
• Support with your development - we offer a range of development opportunities, can support you through an interest-free qualification loan and we’ll even pay for any relevant professional body subscription.

Interviews to be held beginning of July 2025.

We are proud to serve our customers and we’re committed to delivering great service, putting our customers at the heart of everything we do.

Our values describe our main principles, qualities and attributes. They are the guiding principles which define who we are, what we do and how we do it. They make us different from our competitors and guide our decisions and actions to drive us towards our vision.

Our values are:

• Results Driven: We take responsibility for achieving excellent business results.
• Ethical: We are open and honest and meet our commitments with a responsible approach to the environment and our communities.
• Customer Focused: We aim to exceed the expectations of our internal and external customers.
• Innovative: We continuously strive for innovative and better ways to deliver our business.
• One Team: We work together consistently, promoting co-operation, to achieve our corporate objectives.