Water Quality Scientist

This role is part of a dynamic and fast-paced team, focused on ensuring we always protect public health in the delivery of a wholesome water supply. In this key role you’ll be responsible for assessing risk at Water Treatment Works (WTW) to deliver regulatory obligations associated with Drinking Water Safety Plans (DWSPs).

You will be utilising knowledge in the field of drinking water quality and water treatment, you will carry out Regulation 27 DWSP risk assessments to identify residual risks to water quality that require additional mitigation.  You will lead a programme of Water Treatment Works Drinking Water Safety Plans Audits (DWSPAs), collating and interpreting the outputs alongside water quality monitoring data as well as other company and third-party datasets to determine risk. You will participate in sessions to validate existing DWSP risks and identify emerging ones.

What you’ll be doing as a Water Quality Scientist

You will assist in managing a programme of Hazard Review (Haz Rev) meetings to enable a holistic review of risk for water treatment, contributing to the meeting content for assets you assess. You will facilitate the identification of appropriate measures to mitigate residual risks and monitor the delivery of these.

• You will use the company’s bespoke DWSP IT system to ensure that the water treatment risk assessment data is captured and reported appropriately, both internally and externally to the regulator.
• Complete Drinking Water Safety Plan Audits (DWSPAs) of water treatment works to the required annual programme.
• Utilise information from site audits and other data to complete relevant risk assessments for the sites you assess, presenting your findings at Haz Revs.
• Actively seek to develop expertise in drinking water quality and water treatment, as well as regulatory requirements relating to DWSPs.
• Lead the Water Quality Risk Review process to validate existing DWSP risks and identify emerging ones, escalating significant risks within governance parameters.

Base location: is flexible, but you must be willing to travel across the Thames Valley and London.

Working pattern or hours: 36 hours; this is a hybrid position.

Requirements for the role: You must hold a valid UK driving license and be willing to travel.

What you should bring to the role

• Previous experience in risk assessment and water quality.
• Be educated to degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline is desirable.
• Good written and verbal communication skills and an ability to build positive relationships with stakeholders across the business.
• Be competent in using Microsoft Office software and adept in using company systems e.g. DWSP IT, EQUIS, Sample Manager.
• Possess a proactive, can-do attitude as this is key to success in the role.
• Be open-minded, supporting and developing new methods of working, and be able to manage workloads.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary from £30,000 to £40,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays) 
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• 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.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?

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.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

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.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world's water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

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.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.