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- Tasks: Join our team as a Wastewater Networks Operative, maintaining sewerage networks and providing excellent customer service.
- Company: Northumbrian Water Group serves millions with essential water and sewerage services across the North East and South East.
- Benefits: Enjoy full training, professional development opportunities, and a range of employee discounts.
- Why this job: Be part of a vital role that protects the environment while working outdoors and solving real-world problems.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just bring a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.
- Other info: This role requires a valid driving licence and a DBS check, plus drug and alcohol testing.
The predicted salary is between 22130 - 26380 £ per year.
Location Pity Me, Durham, County Durham
About the role
Wastewater Networks Operative
Full time 37 hours per week
Fixed Term / Secondment opportunity up to 20 months
Salary from £26,154 – £32,693 depending on experience
Based – Pity Me, Durham
About the role
Are you passionate about the environment and customer service? We have an exciting opportunity to join our wastewater team as a wastewater networks operative known internally as sewerage maintenance operative.
This role offers full training to support the successful candidate to complete the various technical aspects of this role. This means we’re seeking someone with transferrable skills which would allow them to develop into this position.
We understand the importance of professional development which means we offer opportunities for training and growth within the organisation.
As a member of our team, you will take on a mobile role, traveling around the northeast to maintain the sewerage network and Responding to Customer calls. Each day, you’ll report to the depot, meet your teammate, collect your van, and receive your daily schedule through a smartphone.
You’ll be working outdoors, undertaking a variety of tasks and challenges, each day, collaborating with colleagues to safely deliver sewer maintenance. Your primary focus will be ensuring wastewater is properly transferred from properties to treatment facilities, without posing a risk to the environment or disruption to our customers. This will role involves both reactive calls & proactive inspection and maintenance. As it’s a reactive role once competent will be included within a standby call rota operating out of hours, you will be working 37 hours over a 4-day pattern across 7 days on a 6-weekly pattern.
Your vehicle will be fully equipped with all the tools needed to complete your role, as the team prides itself on achieving job completion on the first visit. The role is customer-facing, so a high level of customer service is always expected.
In addition, you will collaborate with a variety of teams to ensure compliance with regulatory obligations, while helping to protect both customers and the environment.
About you
Our Wastewater Operatives carry out a crucial role so we’re looking for people who are positive, flexible with a can-do attitude. You will deliver great customer service – even when problems may be challenging.
Communication is essential in this role therefore we seek someone who is an excellent communicator, both verbally and written. You will be a good problem-solver allowing you to respond quickly to issues, understand the problem, and identify the best solution.
As our Operatives are field based it can be both as a lone working and working as part of a team with minimal supervision, you will have proven experience of using your initiative with a high level of attention to detail as you will be recording details on forms using electronic devices.
We’re committed to ensuring “Everyone Home Safe Everyday” therefore awareness of health and safety would be beneficial. You would be using company safety devices to ensure you have the support and controls needed. For the roles on offer, you will ensure that your own, your colleagues’ and our customers’ health and safety is not compromised, and you will deliver excellent customer service.
Knowledge and practical experience of sewerage maintenance which will involve confined space working, along with use of CCTV and high-pressure jetting equipment would be great, but, if not, we can get you trained. We are looking for individuals with a flexible approach, who are willing to participate in an out-of-hours standby rota when required.
The water industry is forever changing therefore you need to be adaptable to meet business need.
If you are practical, pragmatic and enjoy hands-on problem solving then this could be a great role for you.
A full and valid driving licence will be required; it would be desirable to have the following categories C1 and C but is not essential.
Please note – Please note this role requires a DBS check to be carried out on the successful candidate. This role has also 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.
Closing date: 20th July 2025
Interviews: 7th & 8th of August
About us
NWG (Northumbrian Water Group) provides water and sewerage services to 2.7 million people in the North East of England as Northumbrian Water, and water services to 1.5 million people in the South East of England as Essex & Suffolk Water.
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
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
Results Driven
We take responsibility for achieving excellent business results.
Ethical
Ethical
We are open and honest and meet our commitments with a responsible approach to the environment and our communities.
Customer Focused
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
One Team
We work together consistently, promoting co-operation, to achieve our corporate objectives.
We’re the great company we are because of you – our people. As our way of saying thanks, we offer you a wide range of benefits and discounts to take advantage of.
To find out more about our benefits, see our benefits bookletattached to this advert.
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Wastewater Network Operative employer: Northumbrian Water Group plc
Contact Detail:
Northumbrian Water Group plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Wastewater Network Operative
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the wastewater industry and its environmental impact. Understanding the basics of sewerage maintenance and the importance of customer service will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience in customer-facing roles, especially those that required problem-solving skills. Being able to demonstrate your ability to handle challenging situations with a positive attitude will be key.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your flexibility and adaptability, as these traits are crucial for this role. Think of examples from your past where you've successfully adapted to changing circumstances or worked effectively in a team.
✨Tip Number 4
Research health and safety regulations relevant to the wastewater industry. Showing that you understand the importance of safety in this field will demonstrate your commitment to both your own safety and that of your colleagues and customers.
We think you need these skills to ace Wastewater Network Operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the Wastewater Network Operative role. Emphasise any customer service experience, problem-solving abilities, and technical skills related to sewerage maintenance.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the environment and customer service. Mention specific examples of how you've demonstrated a can-do attitude and effective communication in previous roles.
Highlight Transferable Skills: If you lack direct experience in wastewater management, focus on transferable skills such as teamwork, adaptability, and attention to detail. Explain how these skills will help you succeed in the role.
Prepare for the Interview: Research common interview questions for operational roles and prepare your answers. Be ready to discuss your approach to health and safety, customer service scenarios, and how you handle challenges in the field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Northumbrian Water Group plc
✨Show Your Passion for the Environment
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for environmental issues during the interview. Discuss any relevant experiences or initiatives you've been involved in that demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and customer service.
✨Highlight Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of past situations where you successfully identified and resolved problems. This role requires quick thinking and effective solutions, so showcasing your ability to tackle challenges will impress the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Excellent Communication Skills
Since this is a customer-facing role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be ready to discuss how you would handle difficult customer interactions and ensure their needs are met.
✨Emphasise Your Flexibility and Adaptability
The job involves working outdoors and responding to various situations. Share examples of how you've adapted to changing circumstances in previous roles, and express your willingness to participate in out-of-hours standby rotas when needed.
