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- Tasks: Monitor and maintain water quality at treatment works and pumping stations.
- Company: Join Scottish Water, ensuring Scotland's water is pure and dependable.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days holiday, flexible working, and paid volunteer time.
- Why this job: Be part of a dedicated team making a real impact on community health.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills; no specific experience required, just a willingness to learn.
- Other info: Applications accepted until 18 September 2025; adjustments available for diverse applicants.
The predicted salary is between 30440 - 35260 £ per year.
Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland.
Most people don\’t think too much about how clean water reaches their taps. Or what happens to their waste water.
But Scottish Water does. In fact, it\’s all we think about.
Want to join us? As a Water Operative working from our Lochaber Water Treatment Works , you\’ll be on the front lines of making sure Scotland\’s water is totally, dependably pure.
What you\’ll do
You\’ll join an experienced team that really knows its water, helping to monitor and maintain the quality of water at our treatment works and pumping stations.
Our TOMS procedures will be your guiding star in operating the plant – you\’ll calibrate monitors, filters, tank levels and more. And you\’ll be the source of recordings on water quality, sorting the \’exceptional\’ from the \’needs attention\’ across measures including pH, chlorine, aluminium and phosphate.
You probably figured it out already, but our aim is always to go beyond what the law and regulations expect of us.
Join, and we\’ll get you measured for a hardhat – regular inspections of plants, reservoirs and dams are part of the routine. You\’ll also handle risk assessments and keep a close eye on health and safety protocols. As part of the team, you\’ll take your turn on the standby rota for out-of-hours cover.
What you\’ll bring
We\’ll get you fully up to speed on the technical bits of the job. You\’ll bring strong communication skills and confidence working on your own. And be comfortable turning your hand to new computer systems – we like to move with the times.
Attention to detail is a must: on your watch there should be no risk of inaccurate recordings or health and safety failures. An eye for spotting trends is helpful and you\’ll love solving a problem – on your own initiative and with help from site colleagues.
You\’ll need a valid driving licence, but we\’ll provide the van. All for the good of Scotland\’s water.
Beyond that, we\’re looking for a few \’nice-to-haves\’. Knowledge of water treatment processes and distribution systems would obviously be great. Mechanical maintenance experience? Perfect. But none of these are essential.
Looking out for you
While the work we do is important, we know it\’s not the only thing that matters. That\’s why we make sure you have everything you need to find a good work-life balance.
But you\’ll get plenty of time to recharge with 38 days of holiday every year (including public holidays). And you can even buy five more if you need a little extra time. You can also take paid time off to volunteer in your community.
When it comes to major life events we have family-friendly policies around adoption, maternity, and parental leave. And for the everyday? We embrace flexible working.
For your future, there\’s our pension (the \’know-what-you\’ll-get-when-you-retire\’ kind), as well as life assurance.
As for some nice extras? You can expect an annual company bonus. Not to mention access to SW Splash – handy rewards that can save you money on holidays, bills, and shopping.
The not-so-small print
This role will be a Grade 4. If you\’re new to Scottish Water, you\’ll join us on a starting salary of £30,440. Performance-driven pay progression would then allow you to move through the range to a maximum of £35,260.
Job offers at Scottish Water are conditional, and will be confirmed on completion of our pre-employment screening, e.g. referencing, criminal record checks, license checks, etc. These checks are conducted on our behalf by a third party. Don\’t worry – we\’ll ask your permission before starting these checks.
If you\’re interested in this role – or know someone else who might be – we\’ll be accepting applications until the 27th November 2025.
A few final things worth knowing…
Research shows that some people avoid applying for jobs unless they can meet every single criteria. If you\’re interested in this job, but don\’t tick all the boxes, apply anyway We hardly ever hire people who can do every part of a job from Day One. Everyone has a learning curve. So don\’t rule yourself out
Let us know if there are any changes we can make to our recruitment process to help you perform at your best. Lots of our people have disabilities or neurodiverse conditions (including some of our recruiters). We\’re also aware that some people might be experiencing temporary challenges because of life events, like menopause. We\’re very used to making adjustments, so please don\’t be afraid to ask.
As part of our commitment to developing a flourishing Scotland, it\’s important that all our employees are Scottish taxpayers. If you join us, your home address will need to be in Scotland. If you don\’t already live here, you\’ll need to commit to moving here within your first three months.
Please note, Scottish Water takes the safety, health and wellbeing of our employees, colleagues and customers very seriously and as such you may be subject to Drug & Alcohol testing in line with our policy.
Finally (finally), candidates who haven\’t submitted an application in the last 12 months will have their records removed from our recruitment database. You won\’t need to do anything. Your data will be automatically deleted.
We\’re here to help. Ask us anything
Treatment Operator employer: Scottish Water
Contact Detail:
Scottish Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Treatment Operator
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the water treatment processes and distribution systems. Even if you don't have direct experience, understanding the basics can help you stand out during interviews and show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your communication skills. As a Treatment Operator, you'll need to work closely with your team and report findings accurately. Practising clear and concise communication can give you an edge.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your attention to detail by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed data or followed safety protocols in previous roles. This will show that you can handle the responsibilities of monitoring water quality effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your problem-solving skills. Think of instances where you've identified trends or resolved issues independently, as this aligns well with the role's requirements and showcases your initiative.
We think you need these skills to ace Treatment Operator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Treatment Operator. Familiarise yourself with water quality monitoring and treatment processes, as well as the specific tasks mentioned in the job description.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight relevant skills and experiences in your CV that align with the job requirements. Emphasise your attention to detail, communication skills, and any experience with health and safety protocols or mechanical maintenance.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention why you are interested in working for Scottish Water and how your background makes you a suitable candidate for the Treatment Operator position.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that all information is accurate and clearly presented. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Water
✨Know Your Water Quality Basics
Familiarise yourself with key water quality parameters like pH, chlorine, and phosphate. Being able to discuss these concepts confidently will show your understanding of the role and its importance.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Prepare examples from your past experiences where your attention to detail made a difference. This could be in recording data accurately or ensuring compliance with health and safety protocols.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think of instances where you identified trends or solved problems effectively. Be ready to share these examples, as they highlight your initiative and collaborative spirit.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and the specific challenges faced at the Pateshill Water Treatment Works. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the company.
