Wastewater Process Specialist in Oxford

Do you have a passion for improving our environmental performance? We’re seeking a motivated, technical Wastewater Process Specialist to assist our wastewater Operations teams in achieving their regulatory requirements. The job blends process science, engineering, operations, and regulation to seek and solve non-compliances at our treatment sites. You will be both hands-on in the field solving site issues, and backing this up with data analysis, fault finding, regulatory reporting and process optimisation skills. If you have a passion for making a difference in our role as environmental custodians and helping our teams operate in line with statutory regulations and codes of practice regarding wastewater treatment, this role could be for you.

What will you be doing as a Wastewater Process Specialist?

• Become a subject matter expert in wastewater treatment and regulation, using experience to solve problems across different sites & process streams.
• Gathering, analysing and reporting on wastewater treatment data to inform decision-making.
• Comprehensive understanding of all permitting requirements and innovative idea generation to solve non-compliances.
• Engage with internal project teams and external stakeholders to ensure fluid communication, aid information requests, and minimise risk during periods of change.
• Optimisation of site processes to reduce our cost-of-treatment, with a holistic understanding of cost vs benefit.
• Improve flow compliance of sites, analyse data, and fault-find site issues.
• Proactive in learning about new wastewater technologies and disseminating knowledge – coaching colleagues to enhance their understanding.
• Lead regular progress and risk review meetings – being a confident communicator and a capable rapport builder to drive productive working relationships.
• Produce investigative reports and root cause analysis of any sample or pollution incidents, sharing lessons learned to prevent repeat occurrences.
• Be committed to our development programme and driving for Senior Process Specialist performance in the future, with an opportunity for role progression.
• Out-of-hours rota participation, offering advice during event scenarios.

What should you bring to the role?

• This is a developmental role appropriate for someone with a scientific/engineering degree-level background or similar. Alternatively, 2 years or more of experience in wastewater treatment operations roles would be considered.
• Experience in fault finding, process improvements and delivering change.
• Curious, self-driven & motivated – willing to learn and develop at pace.
• Confident in holding in-depth, technical conversations and being a great communicator who can relay complex information to non-technical audiences.
• Strong with data handling, processing, reporting, and adapting to IT systems.
• Superb time management skills, able to self-organise and be a true self-starter who is comfortable working alone on site.
• A full UK driving licence is mandatory, with access to your transport and business-use insurance. (Car allowance is provided).

What’s in it for you?

• Offering a salary of up to £44,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience, plus car allowance.
• Annual Leave – 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
• Generous Paternity Leave, including 4 weeks paid and an optional 2 weeks unpaid.
• Enhanced Maternity Leave, 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay.
• Ongoing performance development reviews to help you be your best and identify growth opportunities.

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job, and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits. Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is a great, diverse and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. We aim to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support.