At a Glance
- Tasks: Monitor alarms and respond to incidents, ensuring smooth operations 24/7.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector with a green mission.
- Benefits: Enjoy 23 days annual leave, health plans, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values your unique contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a fast-paced environment while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, plus experience in busy environments.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
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 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.
Whether you're starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career. Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
Job Role: Are you looking for a role where no two days are the same, and where your actions make a real difference to operational performance and customer service? As an Alarm Technician, you will play a vital role within our Control Room team, monitoring and responding to critical alarm notifications, supporting operational teams across the business, and ensuring business-critical processes continue to run effectively 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
You'll be responsible for triaging alarms, coordinating responses to incidents, supporting customer contacts, and maintaining key systems and records. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can remain calm under pressure, and enjoys working collaboratively to solve problems and support operational excellence.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Alarm Monitoring & Incident Response: Monitor, assess and triage SCADA alarms and system notifications. Identify alarm ownership, priority levels, and required response times. Investigate alarms using system and site data to determine appropriate actions. Maintain accurate alarm records and annotations to provide a comprehensive audit trail. Prioritise alarms effectively, particularly during operational incidents and adverse weather events. Conduct basic trend analysis to identify recurring issues and support proactive responses. Work closely with Central Process Control Technicians and operational teams to ensure effective service delivery.
- Emergency Response: Manage emergency line calls, ensuring urgent contacts are immediately prioritised. Respond to welfare alerts, panic alarms and lone worker notifications in accordance with established procedures. Escalate incidents appropriately and support emergency response processes.
- Administration & Operational Support: Coordinate National Grid shutdown notifications and communicate impacts to relevant stakeholders. Manage team mailboxes and ensure urgent communications are appropriately actioned. Process emergency work orders and maintain standby rotas. Produce detailed shift handover reports to support operational continuity. Support password resets and out-of-hours system administration activities. Record and escalate emergency service and media enquiries where required.
- Customer Contact Support: Record, investigate and action customer contacts through CRM and associated systems. Support wider customer service operations when required. Ensure customer issues are recorded accurately and escalated appropriately.
- Security, Safety & Monitoring: Monitor CCTV systems and carry out routine checks. Respond to building, hatch and security alarms. Manage welfare monitoring processes for colleagues working alone or remotely. Ensure all activities are completed in accordance with company Health & Safety requirements.
What We're Looking For:
- Essential Qualifications: GCSE (or equivalent) Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths.
- Essential Experience: Experience working in a busy, high-volume environment. Experience within an office-based or administrative setting.
- Skills & Knowledge: Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications. Ability to analyse and interpret information to support decision making. Good organisational and prioritisation skills. Awareness of the importance of following procedures and business processes. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Personal Qualities: Calm and resilient under pressure. Positive and proactive approach. Strong team player with excellent relationship-building skills. Flexible, adaptable and open to change. Able to work independently and use sound judgement when handling incidents.
- Additional Requirements: Ability to work a 24/7 shift rota, including weekends and public holidays. Commitment to delivering excellent service to both internal and external customers. Willingness to work in a fast-paced operational environment where priorities can change quickly.
Working pattern consisting of 6 days on, 4 days off. Supplement for working shifts shall be paid on top of basic wage.
Why Join South West Water? At South West Water, our people are the heart of everything we do. We believe in creating an environment where everyone can thrive, bring their best every day and feel truly valued. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, financial security and work-life balance.
Our Benefits Include: 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing with service. Holiday buy & sell scheme. Competitive pension scheme with company contribution matching. Life assurance cover. Group income protection. Enhanced family leave provisions. Share schemes with discounted and matched share opportunities. Health cash plan. Free annual flu vaccination. Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 support). Free on-site parking at our Exeter headquarters. Cycle to Work scheme. Give As You Earn charitable giving scheme. Paid volunteering day. Access to a wide range of retail discounts.
Closing Date: 2nd Oct 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 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.
Alarm Team Technician in Heavitree employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee health and wellbeing. With a commitment to sustainability and community engagement, our Occupational Health and Wellbeing Lead will have the unique opportunity to shape impactful programmes while enjoying generous benefits, including 30 days of annual leave. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of our employees and the environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Alarm Team Technician in Heavitree
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Alarm Team Technician role you’re after at South West Water.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at South West Water a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at South West Water.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Alarm Team Technician at South West Water, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Alarm Team Technician in Heavitree
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Alarm Team Technician, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at South West Water a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to South West Water specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with South West Water, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like South West Water want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
