At a Glance
- Tasks: Join Ofwat to improve water resources and drive innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
- Company: Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, shaping the future of water in England and Wales.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, generous leave, professional development, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water management and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Graduate-level qualification in relevant fields and experience in water resources planning.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Join Ofwat’s Water Supply Team as a Water Resources Specialist.
About Us
We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non‑ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales. The water sector is entering a new chapter. Following the Independent Water Commission’s Final Report and subsequent White Paper - 'New Vision for Water', the UK government has set out a bold new direction - one that brings together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment. Ofwat is working in collaboration with the government and other regulators to help establish a new body for England, combining our strengths with those of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Environment Agency, and Natural England. We’re also continuing to engage with the Welsh Government to support future decisions for Wales. While these changes take shape, our mission remains the same: to hold water companies to account, drive performance, and ensure the sector delivers real value for customers, communities, and the environment. If you’re passionate about making a difference, this is a unique moment to join us and help shape the future of water, and together we can continue to make a positive impact.
The Role
We are looking for a Water Resources Specialist to join our Water Supply Team at Senior Associate level. The Water Supply team is dedicated to improving investment planning and tracking delivery of source to tap activities. This includes supporting the delivery of best‑value water resources solutions, co‑ordinating smart meter rollout, tracking leakage and water efficiency while advocating for innovation solutions, addressing policy gaps in resilience investment, and supporting the large scheme gate and delivery plan assessments. The sector is facing unprecedented challenges, and we want someone who relishes the opportunity to apply their skills and experience to improve our water environment. Whilst there are specific policy areas you will lead on, you will also play an important role in driving the collaborative work programme across Governments and with other regulators to improve future water resources management. This is an exciting role in an expanding team. You will have the opportunity to support with the development of new planning frameworks developed under Defra's White Paper on a new vision for water. You will work with wider governments, regulators and a varied range of stakeholders on national water resources policy and investment policy, including our preparations for water resources manage plans for 2029 (WRMP29) and the 2029 price review (PR29). This includes utilising forums such as the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), bringing together partner regulators (Drinking Water Inspectorate, Environment Agency, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales). You will also work to assess and monitor delivery of supply schemes through current WRMP24 and PR24 price control deliverables (PCD's), and support the progression of strategic resource options (SROs) in the RAPID programme. Your work on this area will hold companies to account on their delivery on behalf of customers and the environment.
About You
- Experience in water resources planning (including supply schemes, efficiency or environmental strategy). This can be regulatory, technical or policy experience gained within the water sector.
- A graduate‑level qualification in a relevant field (e.g. environmental science, public policy, environmental management, water resources, engineering, geography, or a closely related discipline).
- Academic or professional experience of wider environmental issues and good knowledge/understanding of those related to the water industry.
- Highly numerate with excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, including experience of analysing and accurately interpreting a range of data and insights to inform evidence‑based decisions and solutions for complex problems.
- Experience of building and maintaining constructive working relationships with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders to understand their needs, expectations, and priorities, and to influence and collaborate effectively to deliver desired outcomes.
- Excellent communication (oral and written) skills, including the ability to communicate complex concepts to technical and non‑technical audiences in order to inform policy making, decision making or recommendations.
Why You Should Join Us
- People Centric: Our people are at the heart of Ofwat and everything we do - we ensure all voices are heard and treat each other with respect; you'll be given the autonomy and the support to do your role in the best way.
- Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working and have a culture built on trust, flexibility, and collaboration.
- Development Opportunities: Gain valuable experience and develop your skills in a supportive and dynamic setting.
- Work‑Life Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home combined with the benefits of in‑person collaboration in our Birmingham and London offices.
- Excellent employer pension contributions.
- 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 with each year of service, plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave.
- Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.
- Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
- Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
- Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.
Follow the link to apply for full details about the role. Please ensure you have submitted your application in full before the below deadline.
Water Resources Specialist employer: Ofwat
Contact Detail:
Ofwat Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Water Resources Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Ofwat on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Dive deep into Ofwat’s recent projects and policies. Being able to discuss how your skills align with their goals will show you’re genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a mate to do mock interviews with you. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently when it’s your turn in the hot seat.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, shoot a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Water Resources Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Water Resources Specialist role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in water resources planning and stakeholder engagement can make a difference at Ofwat. We want to see real examples of your problem-solving abilities!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon where possible and ensure your communication is easy to understand. Remember, we need to see your ability to convey complex ideas simply.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ofwat
✨Know Your Water Resources
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of water resources planning and the current challenges facing the sector. Familiarise yourself with Ofwat's recent initiatives and how they align with the government's new vision for water. This will show your passion and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've used your analytical and problem-solving skills in previous roles. Be ready to explain how you interpreted data to inform decisions, especially in relation to water efficiency or environmental strategies. This is key for a Water Resources Specialist!
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Think about your past experiences working with diverse stakeholders. Be prepared to share how you built and maintained those relationships, and how you influenced outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively, which is crucial for this role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences, so being able to convey your ideas clearly will set you apart. Consider using examples from your experience to illustrate your points.