At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspect water networks and ensure a continuous supply of clean water for customers.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in transforming the UK's water industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and health benefits.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities by ensuring water quality and service excellence.
- Qualifications: Must have a valid UK driving licence and be comfortable working outdoors.
The predicted salary is between 31050 - 31050 £ per year.
Location: Chatham, Kent - you will also need to be willing to travel across multiple sites and have a current full driving licence.
Contract Type: 6 Month Fixed Term Contract
Hours: 37 hours (Mon - Thurs 8:30 am - 16:30 pm, Fri 8:30 am - 16:00 pm)
Salary: £31,050 per annum
Benefits:
- Business van and fuel card
About the role
Join our customer‐facing frontline operations team to help ensure our customers receive a continuous supply of clean, fresh water. As a Water Network Inspector, you play a vital role in safeguarding service quality, resolving customer incidents, and protecting water quality across the distribution network. Every day is different — you will work outdoors in all weather, respond to customer issues, carry out inspections, plan shutdowns, and take ownership of incident resolution. This role is crucial in keeping water flowing, maintaining customer satisfaction, and supporting operational excellence.
What you will be responsible for:
- Providing a courteous and efficient service to all customers, from domestic households to large industrial sites.
- Planning, organising, and executing shutdowns to the distribution system, minimising disruption and maintaining supply wherever possible.
- Ensuring procedures for protecting water quality during mains repair work are always followed.
- Acting as the first point of contact during emergencies, determining an appropriate course of action and escalating as required.
- Carrying out inspections and, where possible, resolving customer-related incidents directly.
- Identifying when issues need referral to service partners or internal specialists for further action.
What you’ll bring to the role:
Essential
- A valid UK manual driving licence (MUST have).
- Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Able to work effectively and efficiently on your own.
- Keen to learn and operate complex processes with high-quality controls.
Desirable
- Interest or experience in water networks or utilities.
- Interest in developing skills in mechanical or electrical fields (supported through training and apprenticeships).
Progression opportunities
Southern Water offers career progression, training, and development opportunities.
About Southern Water
Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.
At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you—even if you don’t tick every box. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Our Commitment to Diversity
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Additional information:
In line with Southern Water’s security requirements, successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record check (DBS) and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years. Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all pre-employment checks, including security vetting. Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment. Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation.
Interested in the role?
We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so if you are interested in the position please do send your application over today to ensure consideration. We truly appreciate every application. Please note, that due to the volume of interest, we may not be able to provide personalised feedback to all applicants.
Our Benefits
- Company and performance-related bonus
- Generous pension
- Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary
- Health benefits through a Cash Plan
- Two paid community volunteering days a year
- 28 days annual holiday
- Occupational health service
- Retail discount app
- We offer competitive maternity leave, and flexible return to work options
Everybody Welcome
We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to facilitate your participation in the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Need flexibility in your work?
Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?
Water Network Inspector in Chatham employer: Southern Water group
Southern Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Chatham where you can make a tangible impact on the community by ensuring a continuous supply of clean water. With a strong commitment to employee development, generous benefits including a company van, performance bonuses, and a focus on diversity and inclusion, Southern Water fosters a culture of innovation and support, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Water Network Inspector in Chatham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Southern Water. Understand their values, recent projects, and how they’re transforming the water industry. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Think about common interview questions for a Water Network Inspector role and rehearse your responses. Focus on your problem-solving skills and how you handle customer interactions, as these are key in this job.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! Even though this role involves working outdoors, showing up smartly dressed for your interview can make a great first impression. It shows you take the opportunity seriously and respect the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation for the opportunity and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Water Network Inspector in Chatham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Water Networks:When writing your application, let us know why you're excited about working in the water industry. Share any relevant experiences or interests you have that connect to the role of Water Network Inspector.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate straightforward applications! Make sure to get to the point and highlight your key skills and experiences that match the job description. Avoid fluff and keep it professional yet friendly.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific responsibilities and requirements mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’re genuinely interested.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets seen, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can consider you for the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water group
✨Know Your Water Networks
Familiarise yourself with the basics of water networks and utilities. Research Southern Water's operations, their commitment to sustainability, and any recent projects they've undertaken. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the company during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
As a Water Network Inspector, you'll need to resolve customer incidents effectively. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully tackled challenges or emergencies. Highlight your ability to think on your feet and make decisions under pressure.
✨Emphasise Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role involves direct interaction with customers, be ready to discuss how you provide excellent service. Share specific instances where you've gone above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction, especially in challenging situations.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about how you'd handle specific situations related to water quality and network inspections. Think through potential scenarios, such as planning a shutdown or responding to an emergency, and outline your approach clearly and confidently.
