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- Tasks: Monitor pollution incidents and manage environmental impact in stunning landscapes.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, competitive pension, health benefits, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in environmental protection while building your career.
- Qualifications: 5 GCSEs including Maths, English, and Science; IT literate with a full UK driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 28645 - 38917 £ per year.
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 goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
We are currently recruiting a Pollution Technician to join our team in Plymouth. Joining us on a full-time permanent basis, you will receive a salary of £28,645 - £38,917 per annum plus. Core hours are 37 per week, with a 1 in 9 standby rota requirement.
As the Pollution Technician, you will be embedded with the Customer Service & Network team to provide specialised support around all pollution related matters. Working alongside the Flooding and Planned Work Technicians, you will become an integral part of the area Network team, acting as a main point of contact for pollutions and flooding outside of property curtilages.
The Pollution Technician will take the lead at a local area level on pollution management, primarily focused on incident management, recording and reporting on internal systems and providing information to the asset manager for incident updates and impact evidence.
What you'll be doing:
- Monitor and keep track of all pollution incidents in the area and ensure all event information and impact evidence is captured in PIRS in line with the 28-day pollutions process.
- Track remedial actions to conclusion and ensure operational tasks post pollution are completed.
- Responsible for ensuring incident feedback has been provided to the Asset manager to answer regulator questions, seeking assistance and information from the area team where required.
- Preparation of Incident Summary Reports for submission by the Asset Manager to the Regulator covering 'no impact', 'third party' and non-event scenarios.
- Track and manage external flooding incidents (outside property curtilages) through to resolution, ensuring all data is entered onto FIRS in line with the business process timescales.
- Promote further work for asset failures that are outside property curtilages and track to completion.
- Share planned work required as a result of external flooding and pollution investigations with the Planned Work Technician to set up and monitor.
- Supporting operational teams with impact/third party investigations attending site if necessary and supporting the business in the event of environmental incidents.
- Build and maintain constructive relationships with the environmental regulator and provide internal advice and updates on EA guidance and regulations covering pollution incidents.
- Provide support to the Regional Operational Manager to ensure all RCA actions are completed in a timely manner and provide support to other areas of the business as required (Drinking Water Services).
- Take part in an OOH rota if required.
What we are looking for:
- 5 GCSEs at grades A-C or equivalent including Maths, English and a Science subject; or ONC / City and Guilds in relevant subject or NVQ Waste Water Process or Sewerage Control Level 2 standard of competence or HNC / Water Diploma.
- Technical outlook and ability to analyse and administer varied data sources to make decisions and/or present information for action.
- IT Literate, to include use of MS systems.
- Full UK Drivers Licence.
- Ability to undertake out of hours standby duties.
Benefits:
- Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays.
- A discretionary Bonus.
- Competitive Contributory Pension.
- Share-save Scheme.
- Various health benefits.
- Wellbeing support programmes.
- A range of Group Discounts.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Financial support services.
Closing Date: 27th May 2026. 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 every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress.
Pollution Technician in Exeter employer: South West Water
Contact Detail:
South West Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pollution Technician in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at South West Water on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Pollution Technician role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of pollution management and environmental regulations. We recommend having some real-life examples ready to showcase your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for the environment! During your interview, express your commitment to sustainability and how you can contribute to South West Water's goals of lowering carbon footprints and improving water quality.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Pollution Technician in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing your application, make sure to read the job description thoroughly. We want to see that you understand what the Pollution Technician role involves and how your skills align with our goals at South West Water.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job requirements. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for the team!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This helps us see your qualifications quickly!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to submit all the necessary documents in one go. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge about pollution management and the specific responsibilities of a Pollution Technician. Familiarise yourself with the 28-day pollutions process and how to track incidents effectively. This will show that you're serious about the role and understand what it entails.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you've handled challenging situations in the past, especially related to environmental incidents or data management. Think of examples where you’ve successfully resolved issues or improved processes, as this will demonstrate your ability to think critically and act decisively.
✨Get Technical
Since the role requires IT literacy, be ready to talk about your experience with MS systems and any relevant software. If you have experience with data analysis or reporting tools, mention that too! Showing that you can handle varied data sources will give you an edge.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, aim to build a connection with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about the team dynamics and how they collaborate with other departments. This not only shows your interest in the company culture but also highlights your ability to work well with others, which is crucial for a Pollution Technician.