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- Tasks: Join a team to maintain and repair the water network, ensuring clean drinking water for communities.
- Company: Affinity Water, dedicated to providing essential services with a focus on community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, learning opportunities, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in laying mains and service pipes; customer service skills are a plus.
The predicted salary is between 31621 - 42080 £ per year.
We are looking for self-motivated and customer-focused individuals to join our team of dedicated Network Operatives in the Affinity Water East supply area. As a Network Operative, you'll work as part of a two-person team to complete essential maintenance and repairs to the water network, ensuring we can deliver clean, wholesome drinking water to the communities we serve. You'll carry out all works safely and efficiently, ensuring all legal, regulatory and Health & Safety obligations are met. You'll also keep customers fully informed of any works that affect them.
The role: As the service you’ll provide is essential to the customer, you’ll be comfortable participating in a standby rota to ensure someone’s always on call if there’s an issue. It’s all part of your outstanding service.
What you’ll need:
- Previous experience in laying mains and service pipes is essential
- Completed NRSWA Operative training
- NVQ Level 2 or equivalent qualification in Laying Mains and Services, alongside a current Street Works qualification
- Water industry experience is desirable but not essential as in-house training programmes are available
- Good health & safety understanding
- Ability to demonstrate good team working and ensure the overall morale of the department is maintained
- Excellent customer service experience
- Full clean/manual - UK driving licence
If your background is in site-based construction or labour-based roles, you’ll have great transferable skills and can learn 'on the job' via our experienced Network teams. This role requires participation in a 1 in 5 stand-by rotation.
Interview Process:
Closing date: 4/03/2026. Shortlisting for this role will commence after the closing date. You will receive notification from the Talent Acquisition Partner managing this campaign on whether you have been successful or unsuccessful via email. If you do have questions or would like more information on this role, please email the Talent Acquisition Partner managing the campaign.
Benefits:
- Salary: £31,621 + Flex Allowance - £3,848 (Dependent on skills & experience)
- Stand-by: 1 in 5 = £6,611 (Separate payment on top of salary) Total: £42,080
- 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 23-27 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 pension 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
Disability Confident: 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.
You can find out what it’s like to work at Affinity Water through our career site where our colleagues share their career development stories and you can get a feel for our company culture.
Network Operative in Clacton-on-Sea employer: Affinity Water
Contact Detail:
Affinity Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Network Operative in Clacton-on-Sea
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Affinity Water. Understand their values and what they stand for. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your previous experience aligns with the role of a Network Operative, especially your customer service skills and teamwork.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your skills! Think of specific examples from your past work where you've demonstrated good health and safety practices or excellent customer service. These stories will make you stand out during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Network Operative in Clacton-on-Sea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any previous experience you have in laying mains and service pipes. We want to see how your skills can contribute to our team, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant background!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to tailor your application to the role of Network Operative. Use the job description as a guide to emphasise your customer service skills and teamwork experience, as these are key for us.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your points are easy to understand and get straight to the point!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about working with us there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Affinity Water
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of laying mains and service pipes, as well as any relevant health and safety regulations. Being able to discuss your previous experience confidently will show that you're the right fit for the role.
✨Customer Service is Key
Since this role involves interacting with customers, be prepared to share examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in the past. Highlighting your ability to keep customers informed during maintenance works will demonstrate your commitment to outstanding service.
✨Team Player Attitude
As you'll be working in a two-person team, it's important to showcase your teamwork skills. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others, and be ready to discuss how you maintain morale within a team setting.
✨Standby Rota Readiness
Be ready to talk about your willingness to participate in the standby rota. This shows your commitment to ensuring that the water network runs smoothly and that you're always ready to tackle any issues that arise.