Water Service Manager in Chelmsford

Reporting to Head of Mechanical Maintenance

Working Hours: Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm

Probation Period: 6 months

Job Type: Full Time, Permanent

Job Location: Various Sites & Head Office

Start Date: Immediate

Scope: To provide leadership and technical oversight within the Water Services department, with a primary focus on statutory L8 compliance, water hygiene, plumbing, drainage and pump maintenance safety management. East West Connect provide Building Services Maintenance (Reactive, Planned Preventative and Small Works) across RVAC, Gas/Heating, Water Services, Fire & Security and Electrical Compliance. This role supports continued company growth and service quality by ensuring safe, compliant and efficient delivery of all water‑related works.

Knowledge, Competency Requirements:

• Prior knowledge of company policies and procedures for delivering safe and compliant water services in commercial and domestic environments (E)
• Experience working within an employer’s integrated management system (D)
• HNC/HND Building Services or Mechanical Engineering – NVQ Level 5 or above (E)
• Experience with CAFM/CMMS (D)
• Knowledge of SFG20 maintenance schedules (D)
• Commercial H&S Awareness Course (D)
• Full clean driving licence (E)

Statutory compliance & water hygiene (ACOP L8 / HSG274 / BS 8580): Understands legal duties and roles (Duty holder/Responsible Person/Authorised Person as applicable), and can support governance for ACOP L8, HSG274 Parts 1–3 and BS 8580-1 requirements. Can implement and maintain a Written Scheme of Control: task schedules, responsible persons, escalation routes, corrective actions and record-keeping. Can review/quality-check legionella risk assessments, schematics, asset registers and logbooks; identify gaps and drive closure. Can manage monitoring regimes (temperatures, flushing, inspections, tank checks, TMV checks) and interpret results to prioritise remedials. Understands sampling strategy and actions (e.g., legionella, TVC) including liaison with UKAS labs and applying appropriate corrective controls. Can plan and supervise remedial works (tanks, calorifiers, dead‑legs, insulation, blending valves, pipework alterations) ensuring verification and revalidation. Can lead/participate in internal audits and client audits; produce evidence packs and close out non‑conformances. Can manage incidents (positive samples, loss of control, contamination) with clear containment, communications and documented lessons learned.

Closed‑loop water quality (LTHW/LTHH & sealed systems): Understands closed‑loop system purpose and common failure modes (corrosion, scaling, microbiological growth, air ingress, fouling) and the impact on plant efficiency and asset life. Can specify and manage water treatment regimes (inhibitors/biocides as applicable), sampling frequency, target parameters and reporting. Can interpret water analysis results (e.g., pH, conductivity/TDS, inhibitor residual, iron/copper, microbiological indicators where applicable) and initiate corrective actions. Can plan and oversee cleaning/flushing activities (power flush, side‑stream filtration, chemical clean) including method statements, waste handling and reinstatement testing. Understands interfaces with LTHW/LTHH plant (boilers, heat exchangers, pressurisation units, expansion vessels, air/dirt separators) and can coordinate works to minimise operational risk. Can manage specialist subcontractors and verify deliverables (pre/post samples, certificates, commissioning sheets).

Pumps, booster sets & pressurisation systems: Working knowledge of common pump systems: domestic boosters/pressurisation, circulation pumps, sump/effluent pumps, macerators, condensate pumps and associated controls. Can plan PPM and reactive response: set‑point checks, vibration/noise checks, seal/bearing indicators, strainers, non‑returns, isolation valves and control panel alarms. Can coordinate safe isolations (electrical and hydraulic), drain‑down/refill, venting and functional testing/commissioning. Can oversee troubleshooting and ensure evidence‑based repairs (fault codes, trend data, flow/pressure checks). Can manage specialist OEM/subcontractor support and validate handover documentation (test results, settings, photos, certificates).

Domestic & commercial plumbing systems (hot/cold water): Understands hot and cold water distribution principles in domestic and commercial buildings, including storage, recirculation and temperature control. Working knowledge of Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations/Byelaws, backflow prevention (air gaps, RPZ where applicable), and good practice installation standards. Can manage TMV lifecycle: selection/fit‑for‑purpose, routine testing, fail‑safe checks, servicing and documentation. Can plan and supervise installation/modification works: isolation strategy, phased shutdowns, commissioning, disinfection/chlorination where required, and reinstatement verification. Can assess defects and risks (dead legs, stagnation risk, scalding risk, cross‑connections, inadequate insulation) and produce remedial plans and quotations.

Soil, vent & drainage systems: Understands soil and vent principles, traps/seals, venting, odour issues and common failure modes in above/below ground drainage. Can manage planned and reactive drainage works including jetting, descaling, root ingress treatment, minor repairs and renewal planning. Can interpret CCTV survey outputs and translate findings into remedial scope, priority and costed plans. Understands environmental and H&S controls relevant to drainage works (waste handling, contamination risks, COSHH, and confined spaces awareness where applicable).

Project / contract management (delivery, commercial & governance): Can define scope from surveys/specifications, develop method of delivery, and produce programmes that protect statutory compliance and site operations. Competent in procurement and subcontractor management: pre‑start reviews, competence checks, RAMS review, supervision, and performance management. Can control cost, labour and materials; produce accurate quotations; manage approvals, purchase orders and invoicing inputs. Understands change control: identifying variations, pricing, client sign‑off, and maintaining a clear audit trail. Can manage risk and dependencies (access, isolations, permits, shutdown windows, customer impact) and coordinate stakeholders. Can produce client‑ready deliverables: reports, certificates, O&M information (where required), commissioning records and compliance evidence packs.

Leadership, competence assurance & quality: Can supervise multiple workstreams while maintaining quality, safety and compliance; knows when to escalate technical risk. Can set and maintain a competency matrix for engineers and subcontractors (water hygiene, plumbing, pumps, drainage), including refresher intervals and evidence control. Can carry out technical and documentation QA checks (service sheets, logbooks, photos, certificates) and reduce rework/returns. Can coach and develop team members through site visits, toolbox talks (supplementary) and targeted training plans. Can monitor performance against KPIs/SLA and lead corrective actions for recurring defects and non‑conformances.

Health, safety & environmental competence (water‑related works): Can review and implement RAMS and site permits relevant to water works (e.g., isolations, hot works where applicable, working at height, plantrooms, lone working). Understands COSHH principles for water treatment chemicals and can ensure safe storage, dosing, handling and waste disposal arrangements. Can ensure safe system of work for drain‑down/refill, disinfection, sampling and access to tanks/voids/risers (including confined spaces awareness where applicable). Can investigate incidents/near misses and implement corrective actions through the IMS.

Typical evidence (minimum/desired):

• Essential evidence: demonstrable experience managing compliant water services delivery in occupied buildings; proven ability to manage subcontractors and control quality/compliance records; strong working knowledge of ACOP L8 and HSG274 requirements; competent report writing and client communication.
• Typically desired (role dependent): recognised water hygiene/legionella qualification (e.g., City & Guilds/LCA/WMSoc pathway), plumbing qualification (NVQ L2/3) and/or relevant building services qualification; demonstrable experience managing closed‑loop water treatment and pump/pressurisation systems; WRAS knowledge/certification.
• CPD: maintains ongoing CPD covering water hygiene compliance, water treatment/closed systems, and relevant H&S/commercial contract management topics.

Duties:

Team Leadership & Management: Lead a team of Plumbers, Water Hygiene Technicians, Pump Engineers and Drainage Engineers to deliver safe, compliant and high‑quality services. Provide technical mentorship, support and operational direction. Identify recurring issues and implement root‑cause corrective improvements. Facilitate regular team meetings focusing on performance, compliance and continual improvement. Monitor KPIs, conduct 1‑2‑1 reviews, identify training needs and prepare management reports. Use SFG20 schedules to optimise PPM planning, statutory L8 compliance and resource allocation.

Technical Support & Problem‑Solving: Act as the senior technical authority for all plumbing, drainage, pumps, water hygiene and water treatment operations. Provide escalation support for complex technical issues, commissioning tasks and diagnostic work. Ensure all works follow statutory guidance, industry best practice and manufacturer recommendations. Review water treatment reports, logbooks, legionella monitoring records and compliance documents prior to client submission. Promote technical excellence and hands‑on development within the team.

Water Hygiene, L8 Compliance, Auditing & Accreditation: Lead water compliance across all operational sites. Ensure full compliance with: ACOP L8 HSG274 Parts 1–3 BS 8580‑1 – Legionella Risk Assessment Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations. Manage internal audits of water hygiene tasks, sampling regimes, monitoring results and engineer competencies. Ensure all logbooks, monitoring sheets, flushing records, sampling data and remedial actions are accurate and complete. Oversee water treatment activities for closed systems, calorifiers, cooling towers (if applicable), chlorine dioxide dosing and softening systems. Maintain readiness for external audits including LCA and client audits. Investigate water hygiene incidents, non‑conformances and near misses, implementing corrective actions.

Plumbing, Drainage & Pump Operations: Oversee maintenance and remedial works across: Hot & cold water plumbing systems, Drainage networks (internal/external), Booster sets, pressurisation units and general plumbing pumps, TMVs, calorifiers, tanks and expansion vessels. Ensure assets are verified and documented appropriately. Conduct lifecycle assessments and make recommendations for repair, upgrade or replacement. Ensure correct isolation, drain‑down, reinstatement and testing procedures are followed.

Asset Management & Lifecycle: Maintain accurate asset registers and statutory documentation. Prepare quotations aligned with client budgets and technical requirements. Use CAFM/CMMS platforms to manage compliance tasks, asset information and performance metrics.

Health & Safety Management: Ensure full adherence to Health & Safety policies, RAMS and CPPs across all works. Promote a strong safety culture, ensuring PPE compliance and safe working practices. Deliver toolbox talks, safety briefings and awareness training.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Identify improvements to maintenance processes, reducing costs and improving performance. Stay updated on emerging technologies, water treatment methods and regulatory changes. Encourage innovation within the team and evaluate new products and tools for operational benefit. Consistently champion the company’s core values across all activities.

Meetings: Attend and prepare reports for management meetings. Attend pre‑bid and interim bid meetings to provide technical input. Attend client meetings, recording all discussions. Attend handover and tender meetings, ensuring accurate documentation. Attend post‑contract review meetings and track improvement actions. Attend appraisal meetings, company staff meetings, H&S meetings and team meetings.