At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure safe and efficient wastewater treatment operations.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, bonuses, pension, and health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic work culture with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Management experience and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ 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.
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.
Join us and help shape a cleaner, greener future for the South West
We're looking for a Recovery and Treatment Area Manager to join our team in Totnes. This is a fantastic chance to join an established and trusted company, play a key part in protecting the environment, and lead a team responsible for delivering vital services to our customers.
About the role:
As the Recovery and Treatment Area Manager, you will lead the Waste Water Service Field Delivery Team, managing performance, development and day-to-day operations across wastewater treatment assets. You'll ensure treated effluent and recycled sludge consistently meet regulatory standards and support the effective running of wastewater pump stations and networks.
You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the business to keep our sites running smoothly, ensure a robust planned maintenance schedule, respond to operational needs, and maintain exceptional levels of environmental protection.
What you'll be doing:
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Leading a team of operatives to deliver safe, compliant and efficient operation of Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW), meeting key targets including compliance, energy, income and pollution prevention
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Minimising pollution risks and maintaining a Pure Environment
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Owning root cause investigations and ensuring internal SLA targets are met
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Taking accountability for meeting Health and Safety requirements and driving a positive safety culture
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Working with Maintenance Managers and Asset Management teams to plan and deliver asset repair and improvement work
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Managing strategic contracts within Waste Water Services, including JVT, Interworks, Biosolids and Pump Repair
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Ensuring the welfare, training and development needs of the field team are continuously met
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Partnering with the Control Centre and SCADA teams to optimise remote operation, reduce reactive events and manage operational costs
What we're looking for:
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A management qualification or equivalent operational leadership experience (WAMITAB and IOSH desirable or willingness to complete)
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Proven experience managing an operational team
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Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels
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Confident using MS Office and software systems, with strong presentation skills
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Ability to manage conflict and handle sensitive issues effectively
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Willingness to participate in standby rotation for the Duty Recovery & Treatment Area Manager role
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Full UK driving licence and ability to travel within the area
Why join us?
We recognise the commitment our people give every day, and in return we offer outstanding training, career opportunities and a generous benefits package, including:
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Generous holiday allowance + bank holidays
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Discretionary bonus scheme
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Competitive contributory pension
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Share-save scheme
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A range of health and wellbeing benefits
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Wellbeing and employee support programmes
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Access to a wide range of discounts
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Cycle to Work Scheme
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Financial support services
Closing Date: 18th November 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. Own the challenge.
Recovery and Treatment Manager in Totnes 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 Recovery and Treatment Manager in Totnes
✨Get Involved in Local Environmental Initiatives
Dive into your local environmental scenes, like community clean-up projects or eco-focused events. Not only will you meet like-minded people, but it's a surefire way to showcase your passion and skills in environmental engineering tech.
✨Join Industry-Specific Organisations
Check out organisations like the Institution of Environmental Engineers for networking opportunities and resources. They often host events and seminars that can help us connect with key players in the industry, including potential employers like South West Water.
✨Show Off Your Projects and Passion
Create a portfolio that highlights any relevant projects, whether it's coursework, internships, or personal initiatives. Share this online, perhaps even on platforms like GitHub or your own website, to grab the attention of hiring managers looking for talent like us.
✨Utilise Environmental Job Boards
Take advantage of niche job boards dedicated to environmental careers. Sites like Green Jobs, Environmental Career and EcoJobs often feature openings from companies like South West Water and can help us land that full-time gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Recovery and Treatment Manager in Totnes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at South West Water.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability:In this field, showcasing your passion for sustainability and environmental protection can set you apart. Include any relevant projects, volunteer experience, or courses that underline your commitment to these causes. South West Water will appreciate candidates who genuinely care about making a difference.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Recovery and Treatment Manager at South West Water. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have certifications related to environmental engineering or technology, like LEED Accreditation or any relevant software certifications, make sure to mention them. These qualifications can boost your application and show that you’re serious about your professional development in this competitive field.
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at South West Water, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with relevant tools and software, such as AutoCAD or GIS. You might be given a practical problem to solve during the interview, so it’s a great idea to brush up on these skills and perhaps even bring a portfolio of your projects to showcase your technical prowess.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
In a full-time role, employers are looking for commitment and enthusiasm. Share your experiences, studies, or projects that reflect your passion for environmental sustainability. This will show South West Water that you're not just qualified but genuinely invested in the field.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.
