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- Tasks: Regulate trade effluent discharges and ensure compliance with environmental standards.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in transforming the water industry.
- Benefits: Up to £50,000 salary, hybrid work, and a company car.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental protection and community health.
- Qualifications: Degree in science or engineering, with strong analytical and communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 58000 £ per year.
Location: Canterbury, Kent - Hybrid (4 office/site days and remaining work from home). Driving licence essential due to site visit requirement.
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum plus business needs car
About the Role
We are currently recruiting for a Trade Effluent Regulatory Officer (internally known as Trade Effluent Inspector) to take the lead in regulating and monitoring trade effluent discharges across South Kent, protecting the environment, our assets, our people, and the communities we serve. As the dedicated point of contact for your area, you’ll build strong relationships with a wide range of traders from micro-breweries to manufacturing giants producing household names, ensuring they meet consent requirements and understand their responsibilities under the Water Industry Act 1991.
You’ll set up and maintain consent documentation, support accurate billing, provide exceptional service to internal and external stakeholders, and support the investigation of pollution incidents. This role is perfect for someone naturally curious, scientifically minded, confident in investigation, and comfortable balancing technical analysis with customer engagement representing Southern Water as the technical expert for your region.
What you will be responsible for:
- Assess and process trade effluent consent applications in line with the Water Industry Act 1991 and retail market codes.
- Monitor, review, and maintain consents and discharges, ensuring compliance through structured consent review programmes.
- Plan and carry out discharge monitoring, including sampling, results analysis, customer communication, while embodying Southern Water's 'Work with Care' health & safety value.
- Manage trade effluent billing by maintaining accurate mass balances, understanding industrial processes, handling account setups, and resolving customer enquiries.
- Identify risks, un-consented discharges, and growth impacts; and support continuous improvement of trade effluent processes and policies.
Additional Requirements specific to the role
This role supports the out of hours rota for Pollution Incidents.
What you’ll bring to the role:
- Knowledge of sampling and laboratory analytical techniques and the limitations of each technique.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills with proven organisational and self-management abilities.
- Ability to prioritise, be flexible and accomplish tasks in a challenging environment; think on their feet.
- Numeracy and IT skills, data processing ability, with an analytical background.
- Ability to assess short- and long-term risk to company performance, human health and SWS infrastructure.
- Ability to understand the best value in different scenarios (short and long term) with excellent decision-making abilities using limited information.
- Degree qualified in a relevant profession (science or engineering) or equivalent experience.
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of municipal and commercial wastewater processes and legislation relating to the waste and sewerage industry.
- Experience in constructing complex mass balance calculations relating to the production of industrial effluents from commercial facilities.
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.
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.
Your potential matters more than a perfect checklist. If this role excites you and you believe you can make an impact, we want to hear from you! Skills can be learned—passion, drive, and fresh perspectives are what truly set candidates apart. Don’t hesitate—take the leap and apply!
If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself.
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.
Trade Effluent Regulatory Officer employer: Southern Water
Contact Detail:
Southern Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trade Effluent Regulatory Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the water industry on LinkedIn or at local events. Building connections can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Southern Water's values and recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Trade Effluent Regulatory Officer, you'll need to explain complex concepts clearly. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen your pitch.
✨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 the Southern Water team.
We think you need these skills to ace Trade Effluent Regulatory Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Trade Effluent Regulatory Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description, especially your knowledge of sampling techniques and communication skills.
Show Your Passion: We want to see your enthusiasm for the role! Share why you're excited about working in the water industry and how you can contribute to Southern Water's mission. A genuine passion can really make 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. This will help us understand your qualifications and experiences without any confusion.
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 directly and can process your application efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Water Industry Act 1991 and understand trade effluent processes. Being able to discuss specific regulations and how they apply to different industries will show that you're not just interested, but knowledgeable.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves liaising with a variety of stakeholders, practice articulating complex information in a clear and engaging way. Think about examples where you've successfully communicated technical details to non-experts.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Mindset
Prepare to discuss your experience with data analysis and mass balance calculations. Bring examples of how you've used analytical techniques to solve problems or improve processes in previous roles.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your decision-making abilities under pressure. Think of scenarios where you've had to balance multiple priorities or make quick decisions, and be ready to explain your thought process.
