Water Treatment Technician in Exeter

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes. We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goal? Net zero by 2030, supported by partnerships with Wildlife Trusts and National Parks.

We currently have a fantastic opportunity available for a Water Treatment Technician to join our team based near Helston. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis, and in return, you will receive a starting salary of £26,812 per annum and a flexibility payment of £833 per annum. In the development of this role, you will be supported with a Water Treatment Technician levels 1 to 5 progression scheme where you can receive up to £43,083 per annum, plus overtime opportunities, company benefits + rewards.

As part of your employment package, the successful candidate will enrol onto a bespoke progression scheme framework consisting of qualifications, skills and experiences to meet the requirements of the nationally recognised Competent Technician Scheme. The Company will fully fund the entire £7,280 of the training costs associated with obtaining a number of industry recognised professional qualifications and licences, including a Level 3 Water Treatment Operations Diploma.

About the role: As our Water Treatment Technician (Flexible), you will play a vital role to ensure that the operations of our water treatment site, associated plant and equipment effectively work every day. The ideal candidate will be hands on, have a dedicated team player philosophy and looking to get stuck into the process by providing clean water for our customers by ensuring that water quality and quantity is kept within the company high standards. Due to the nature of the role, you will provide out of hours standby cover as part of the works’ operational rotation to ensure the sites are maintained out of hours. This role will have the use of a company vehicle to travel across the operational area within working hours and standby. The team are scheduled to work a 5-week (working one weekend in five) rolling shift pattern and this is something that you will need to be signed onto from your first day. The full shift pattern and non-working days can be discussed at screening stage.

What you’ll be doing:

• Ensuring that potable water quality and quantity is maintained within company standards having due regard to abstraction licences and the requirements of the distribution system.
• Ensuring that all chemicals are stored, handled and used safely, effectively and economically, in line with company procedures.
• Carrying out operational maintenance on equipment and instrumentation in accordance with work’s schedules and instructions.
• Taking water quality samples and carrying out on site analysis as required in accordance with works’ instructions.
• Completing water quality and operational procedures, records/log sheets.
• Performing routine and non-routine tasks in accordance with the operational requirements of sites.
• Ensuring that good housekeeping is carried out, maintaining the works in a clean and tidy condition.
• Ensuring that all abnormal events are dealt with in accordance with company procedures and are reported to the Resources and Production Site Manager or the Duty Functional Manager out of hours.

What we are looking for:

• A good level of Maths, English and IT.
• To be able to understand the principles of COSHH, Lone Working procedures and Basic First Aid.
• The ability to build strong relationships with people at all levels of the business.
• The ability to reach sound judgements and decisions when dealing with complex issues and operating in highly pressurised situations.
• A Full UK Drivers Licence.

• NVQ 2 in Operating Process Plant / or a HNC in Water Operations - or working towards it.
• Mechanical, electrical, ICA or scientific background.
• Experience in Water Treatment or other relevant process.

What’s in it for you:

• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays.
• Buy or sell annual leave to offer you extra flexibility.
• Buy a bike and safety equipment tax-free, through our Cycle to Work scheme.
• We offer free car parking at the majority of our sites.
• Take up to 26 weeks’ additional maternity leave.
• Share your parental leave and split your time off to care for your child how you choose.
• Invest in Pennon Group plc through our employee share schemes.
• We support our people by offering a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme.
• Look after your wellbeing with our Champion Health support platform.
• Enjoy free eye tests and discounts on frames and lenses at Specsavers.
• Enjoy access to thousands of deals and discounts on supermarkets, high street shops, online retailers, travel, eating out, cinemas, gyms and much more through Perkbox.
• A range of group discounts: The Dell Advantage Programme, Virgin Media Affinity Scheme, Vodaphone Advantage and more.
• A discretionary Bonus.
• Competitive Contributory Pension.
• And plenty more!

Closing Date: 13th February. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness. Our core values which are essential to our success are: Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on. Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way. Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.