Operations Scientist

Working in the Water Quality Services Department, in this role you will provide subject matter expertise to the business's Capital Delivery programme. Ensuring water treatment and mains delivery programmes are delivered to a high standard which complies with the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016.

What you'll be doing:

• Develop and maintain tools to ensure performance monitoring of water quality is optimised and automated. Tools are accurate, auditable and support regulatory reporting.
• Provide day-to-day water quality support to Capital Delivery teams.
• Implement and monitor recommendations from DWI.
• Undertake monitoring, reporting and performance management practices to understand and assess how planned team achievements and targets can be met.
• Risks relating to water quality are identified and managed aligned with business strategies and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure water quality procedures related to water quality are up to date, understood and followed.
• Support in the design, planning, build and implementation of new pathway projects.
• Identify and implement process improvements that strengthen drinking water quality controls, regulatory compliance and operational performance within our regulatory and statutory obligations.
• Review and authorise risk assessments and method statements.
• Monitor compliance with security protocols, identify any failures and maintain our response to water quality security issues.
• Authorise the introduction into supply of new infrastructure.
• Prepare, interpret and report water quality data.
• Ensure appropriate actions are taken following sample failures or unusual results.
• Provide training to internal and external colleagues regarding water quality matters.
• Undertake water quality audits across Capital Delivery projects, both infra and non-infra.

What you need:

• Previous water industry experience in either Water Quality or Production and supply/distribution.
• A scientific degree or equivalent and UK water industry experience.
• A thorough understanding of water production, supply and distribution and how this can impact upon water quality.
• Strong hands-on experience using Qlik to design, develop and maintain interactive dashboards, reports and self-service analytics for users across the business.
• Ability to work with stakeholders to understand and translate water quality reporting requirements into Qlik solutions.
• Ability to interpret and explain water quality data and present in accordance with business requirements.
• A good understanding of existing and emerging treatment technologies.
• A working knowledge of Reg 31 and WRAS approval schemes.
• Ability to communicate with all stakeholders both internally and externally, verbally and in writing.
• Confident, flexible and professional at all times, able to work effectively as part of the Water Quality team and within the wider business.
• Understanding and ensuring compliance with company procedures and the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Participation on the Operations Scientist standby roster, providing water quality support and advice 24/7.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary dependent on skills and experience.
• Learning and development opportunities, including mentoring and a range of formal courses and open learning resources.
• Entry into the company annual bonus scheme.
• Annual leave from 26-30 rising with length of service, and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days.
• A Celebration Day in addition to public holidays that people can use to celebrate a religious festival or other occasion that is important to them.
• A generous 'double match pensions scheme' that doubles the contributions you make (company contribution capped at 12%).
• We offer a range of family benefits including enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support Leave and up to 5 full or 10 half days of paid Carers Leave.
• Menopause policy and Reasonable Adjustment policy to help everyone perform at their best.
• Access to our Wellbeing Centre with support for looking after your physical and mental health.
• Discounts at a range of retail outlets and on Dental and Medical Insurance through our Tap4Perks scheme.
• Up to 4 Affinity days a year to volunteer in the community.
• Life Assurance.

As a Disability Confident employer, we're committed to offering interviews to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria and opt in on the application form. Ask the Talent Acquisition lead for the full job description to see all the criteria. If we have a very high volume of applicants and we're not able to offer interviews to all, we'll take a fair and proportionate number of disabled candidates through.

Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.