At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspect water networks, resolve customer issues, and ensure clean water supply.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in transforming the UK's water industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, business van, and fuel card.
- Other info: Great career progression and training opportunities await you!
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community health and sustainability while working outdoors.
- Qualifications: Must have a valid UK driving licence and be comfortable working in all weather.
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.
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.
Water Network Inspector in Chatham employer: SouthernWaterServices
Southern Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where employees can make a meaningful impact on the community by ensuring a continuous supply of clean water. With a strong commitment to employee growth through training and career progression opportunities, coupled with a supportive and inclusive culture, Southern Water stands out as a leader in the water industry. Located in Chatham, Kent, the role of Water Network Inspector not only provides competitive benefits such as a business van and fuel card but also allows for diverse experiences across multiple sites, making every day unique and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Water Network Inspector in Chatham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Southern Water and understand their values, mission, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews 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 local industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info about the role and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the unexpected! As a Water Network Inspector, you'll face various challenges. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've solved problems or handled emergencies effectively. This will showcase your skills and adaptability.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Southern Water and ready to contribute to their mission of delivering excellent water services.
We think you need these skills to ace Water Network Inspector in Chatham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about being a Water Network Inspector and making a positive impact on our customers' lives.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the job description. Highlight any relevant experience or skills that match what we’re looking for, especially your ability to work outdoors and handle customer incidents.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and helps us keep track of all the amazing candidates like you.
How to prepare for a job interview at SouthernWaterServices
✨Know Your Water Networks
Familiarise yourself with the basics of water networks and utilities. Understanding how they operate will not only impress your interviewers but also help you answer questions more confidently.
✨Show Your Customer Service Skills
As a Water Network Inspector, you'll be dealing with customers regularly. Prepare examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in the past, especially in challenging situations.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Think of scenarios where you've had to resolve issues quickly and effectively. Be ready to discuss how you approach problem-solving, particularly in high-pressure situations like emergencies.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to work outdoors and handle various weather conditions. Be honest about your experiences and express your willingness to learn and adapt to different environments.
