Drinking Water Specialist in Edinburgh

Do you want to use your technical expertise to protect drinking water quality and make a real difference to public health in Scotland? The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland is looking for a Technical Specialist to join the Drinking Water Quality Regulation Team to support the regulation of drinking water quality. This is a key role in protecting public health and maintaining confidence in drinking water through strong, effective regulation.

As the Drinking Water Specialist, you will assess compliance with regulatory requirements, provide expert technical advice, and carry out regulatory assessments and investigations. The focus of the role is to drive continual improvement in drinking water quality by shaping policy, guidance, and regulatory decisions that make a real impact.

• Lead technical inspections of Scottish Water assets and activities, engaging with all levels of the organisation, recommending improvements and reporting on findings.
• Lead liaison and supervision of Local Authorities in their duties concerning private water supplies.
• Classify and investigate water quality incidents, reporting findings and initiating and managing enforcement action where appropriate.
• Provide expert specialist advice to assist with policy development and drinking water research, delivering technical leadership on key strategies.
• Act as a credible, independent source of advice on drinking water quality to Scottish ministers, industry stakeholders and members of the public.
• Assist with the management of the public profile of the DWQR, including website, correspondence and media relations.

You must have a Degree or equivalent in a relevant science or engineering subject (BSc (or MSc) within a scientific discipline such as biology, biological sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, medical microbiology, biomedical sciences, or various engineering disciplines). Candidates should, at minimum, be showing willingness to gain chartership with a relevant industry body (e.g. C.Si, Institute of Water). Please confirm in your CV that you hold the qualifications required.

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

• Building and applying knowledge - Uses experience and expertise to assess Scottish Water’s performance against regulatory frameworks.
• Technical Oversight and Management - Investigates technical problems methodically to arrive at clear and defensible conclusions, with outcomes expressed succinctly and credibly.

Previous experience in a similar role, including relevant operational experience in the water industry or supply chain.

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi‑leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid‑compatible roles should aim to work in‑person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location.

Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered. Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre‑employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.