At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage water network events and ensure quality supply for customers.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in transforming the UK's water industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, health benefits, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and community involvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vital industry while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Strong problem-solving skills and confidence with IT systems required.
The predicted salary is between 29800 - 29800 £ per year.
Location: Durrington, Worthing
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 38
Salary: £29,800 + 15% Shift Allowance
About the role: As a Water Network Controller, you’ll manage all planned and reactive events on our water network from start to finish. You’ll work closely with operations teams, field engineers, and service providers to keep customers in supply and maintain water quality. At Southern Water, our purpose is simple: Water for Life. We supply safe, high-quality drinking water to 2.5 million customers and protect the environment in one of the most water-stressed regions in the UK. Every role here matters—and yours will help keep life flowing. We’re transforming our Operational Control Centre and looking for Water Network Controllers to join our team. If you’re proactive, analytical, and enjoy problem-solving, this is your chance to make a real impact.
What you will be responsible for:
- Monitoring and managing network performance
- Coordinating responses to incidents and planned works
- Liaising with multiple stakeholders and providing clear updates
- Thinking on your feet and finding solutions quickly when challenges arise
- This is an office-based role requiring confidence with IT systems and strong communication skills.
- You’ll use systems such as Waternet and ArcGIS to manage and monitor the network. Experience in water distribution is preferred but not essential; full training will be provided.
Shift Pattern & Summary: 12-hour shifts, rotating days and nights. Example cycle: 3 days on → 7 days off, 4 days on → 7 days off, 3 nights on → 7 days off, 4 nights on → 7 days off.
Additional Duties: Standby periods and extra cover will be required, which will be discussed at interview. These may increase total hours beyond the average.
Annual Leave: Built into the shift pattern, giving extended time off throughout the year.
We’re looking for candidates who:
- Live within approximately one hour’s commute of our Durrington office, or are willing to relocate if successful (relocation support can be discussed at interview).
What you’ll bring to the role:
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Ability to work proactively and use your own initiative
- Confidence with multiple IT systems and excellent communication skills
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. You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation.
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. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need.
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 with up to 11% company contribution
- Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary
- Health benefits through a Cash Plan
- Two paid community volunteering days a year
- 25 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 Controller employer: Southern Water group
Southern Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Durrington, Worthing, where every role contributes to our mission of providing safe, high-quality drinking water. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide comprehensive training, generous benefits including a competitive pension scheme and health plans, and a culture that values diversity and innovation. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the water industry while enjoying a supportive workplace that prioritises your well-being and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Water Network Controller
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Southern Water and understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to problem-solving and IT skills. Think of examples from your past experiences that showcase your analytical abilities and proactive approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Southern Water and ready to make a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Water Network Controller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Water Network Controller role. Highlight your problem-solving skills and any relevant experience, even if it’s not directly in water distribution. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Show Your Enthusiasm:Let your passion for the role shine through! Mention why you’re excited about working at Southern Water and how you align with our mission of providing 'Water for Life'. A bit of personality goes a long way in making your application stand out.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. We appreciate clarity, and it helps us understand your qualifications better!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details and consider you for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water group
✨Know Your Water Networks
Familiarise yourself with the basics of water distribution and network management. Understanding how systems like Waternet and ArcGIS work will give you a leg up in the interview, showing that you're proactive and ready to dive into the role.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully tackled challenges. Think about times when you had to think on your feet or coordinate responses to incidents—these stories will highlight your analytical skills and ability to work under pressure.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since the role involves liaising with multiple stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to do a mock interview with a friend to refine your communication style and ensure you can convey updates effectively.
✨Be Ready for Shift Discussions
Understand the shift patterns and be prepared to discuss your availability and flexibility during the interview. Showing that you're open to the demands of the role will demonstrate your commitment and readiness to adapt to the needs of the team.
