Catchment Controller

United Utilities; Hadfield; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Healthcare plan

26 days annual leave (increases to 30)

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking a Catchment Controller to manage water resources and catchment assets across the North region. In this field-based role, you'll monitor, operate and maintain reservoirs, boreholes, river intakes and surrounding land to support safe, sustainable and efficient water supply operations.

You'll work with communities, landowners and partners to protect water quality, support access and deliver environmental and operational objectives, while ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence is essential and travel across the region is required.
• GCSEs with pass grades evidence is required.
• Good understanding of water, land and environmental management principles.
• Experience in water engineering or reservoir operations is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Build positive relationships with stakeholders to promote sustainable land and water management.
• Monitor and inspect reservoirs and catchments to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Deliver maintenance and environmental programmes, ensuring safe, efficient work.
• Support incident response to protect water quality and service resilience.
• Contribute to water quality risk management through data collection and reporting.
• Support public access management and promote positive visitor experiences.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to improve operations.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Driving licence

Water quality awareness

Field-based operations

Environmental compliance

Education

Five GCSEs (A*-C / 9-4)

Job description

Job number UU05830 Country United Kingdom Region Cheshire East Location name Bottoms Office, Woodhead Road, Hadfield, Via Hyde, Cheshire, SK13 1HS Posting End Date 01/09/2026 Band 6a Role Type Permanent Work hours 37 Hours per Week Salary £40,232

Where water, nature and people connect

The Role

We're looking for a Catchment Controller to help manage and protect vital water resources and catchment assets across the North region. In this varied field-based role, you'll be responsible for monitoring, operating and maintaining reservoirs, boreholes, river intakes, aqueducts and surrounding land to support safe, sustainable and efficient water supply operations.

Working across a diverse portfolio of assets, you'll play a key role in ensuring reservoir safety, protecting water quality, maintaining public access, conserving natural and built heritage, and delivering environmental and operational objectives.

What you'll be doing

• Build positive relationships with local communities, landowners, environmental organisations and other stakeholders, supporting initiatives that promote sustainable land and water management.
• Monitor and inspect reservoirs, catchments and associated infrastructure, including scheduled safety inspections, to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and operational standards.
• Deliver planned maintenance, improvement and environmental programmes, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently and in line with relevant legislation and quality standards.
• Support operational and environmental incident response activities, helping to protect water quality and maintain service resilience.
• Contribute to water quality risk management through monitoring, data collection and reporting activities.
• Help preserve natural habitats, historic assets and the wider environment across the catchment area.
• Support the safe management of public access and recreational use of catchment land, working with partners to promote a positive visitor experience.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to drive continuous improvement and achieve operational objectives.

What we're looking for

• Experience in water engineering, reservoir operations and maintenance, or a related asset management environment would be advantageous.
• Practical experience in countryside, environmental or land management.
• Good understanding of water, land and environmental management principles.
• Knowledge of reservoir operations, safety requirements, civil engineering or hydraulic systems.
• Understanding of water quality risk management and environmental compliance.
• Awareness of countryside access management, visitor management and relevant legislation.
• Knowledge of wildlife, habitat conservation and environmental legislation.
• Strong practical countryside management and maintenance skills.
• Good communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A full UK driving licence is essential, as travel across the region is required.
• A minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent) grades A*-C / 9-4, which you will be required to evidence.

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discountsEVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

About Us

Salary - £40,232
Work Type - Onsite
Job Location - Bottoms Office, Woodhead Road, Hadfield, Via Hyde, Cheshire, SK13 1HS
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities' (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We've got a lot to offer. You'll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.