Customer Support Technician

United Utilities; Rochdale; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave (rises to 30) + 8

Competitive pension up to 14% employer

Performance-related bonus up to 7.5%

Healthcare plan

Gym & wellness discounts

Best Doctors

EVolve Car Scheme

Employee Assistance Plan

Flexible benefits

Enhanced parental leave

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking a Customer Support Technician to respond to wastewater incidents, investigate root causes and guide customers through resolution in Rochdale and surrounding areas. You’ll work out in the field, communicate clearly, and capture accurate data while supporting incident response.

The role operates 37 hours per week on a rotating 10-hour shift, with base locations at Manchester or Rochdale hubs.

Qualifications

• GCSEs (A–C) including Maths and English with evidence.
• Full UK Driving Licence and ability for regional travel.
• Ability to work in confined spaces.
• Awareness of Water Industry regulators and industry standards.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organisational, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure, manage conflict and set realistic customer expectations.
• Strong reporting skills with ability to produce clear, accurate and well-structured technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Act as first responder to wastewater incidents including flooding, pollution, odour, collapse, blockages.
• Investigate root causes, support on-site works such as high pressure water jetting and CCTV surveys.
• Liaise daily with Field Teams, Direct Service Providers, Alliance partners, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety policies, wastewater procedures, and Environment Agency protocols.
• Collect and report regulatory data, ensuring accuracy and completeness for all attended incidents.
• Issue Section 159 emergency notices where access to private land is required to complete essential work.
• Keep customers fully informed throughout the end to end process, arranging payments where applicable.
• Completing end of day close down activity and capturing learning from each incident.
• Attend and manage planned customer appointments and respond to customer complaints via phone, written or face to face.
• Support the Local Incident Team during major events or escalations.
• Contribute to proactive campaigns such as “what not to flush” and elevate ongoing FOG issues.

Skills

GCSEs including Maths & English

UK Driving Licence

Confined spaces

Regulatory awareness

Strong communication

Organisational & analytical

Calm under pressure

Reporting skills

Job description

The Role

As a Customer Support Technician, you’ll play a vital role in protecting our customers, communities and the environment. Working out in the field, you’ll respond to wastewater related issues, investigate the root cause, and ensure the right actions are taken to put things right. You’ll become a trusted point of contact for customers, guiding them through incidents with clear communication and a focus on delivering excellent service. Alongside resolving issues on the ground, you’ll capture accurate data, support incident response activity, and contribute to improving the performance of our wastewater network. Every day in this role is different — you'll be using your technical skills, problem solving abilities and customer focus to make a real, visible impact across the area you serve.

What You'll Be Doing

• Act as the first responder to wastewater incidents including flooding, pollution, odour, collapse, blockages and defective apparatus.
• Investigate root causes, support on site works such as high pressure water jetting and CCTV surveys, and raise further work as required
• Liaise daily with Field Teams, Direct Service Providers, Alliance partners, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety policies, wastewater procedures, and Environment Agency protocols.
• Collect and report regulatory data, ensuring accuracy and completeness for all attended incidents.
• Issue Section 159 emergency notices where access to private land is required to complete essential work.
• Keep customers fully informed throughout the end to end process, arranging GSS or discretionary payments where applicable.
• Completing end of day close down activity and capturing learning from each incident, ensuring insights are shared to improve future responses and prevent repeat issues.
• Attend and manage planned customer appointments and respond to customer complaints via phone, written communication or face to face.
• Support the Local Incident Team during major events or escalations.
• Contribute to proactive campaigns such as “what not to flush” and elevate ongoing FOG issues.

Essential Skills & Experience

• 5 GCSEs (A–C or equivalent), including Maths and English and you must be able to evidence these
• Full UK Driving License as regional travel is required.
• Ability to work in confined spaces.
• Awareness of Water Industry regulators and industry standards.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across multiple teams and departments.
• Excellent organisational, analytical and problem solving abilities.
• The ability to remain calm under pressure, manage conflict, and set realistic customer expectations.
• Strong reporting skills with the ability to produce clear, accurate and well-structured technical reports.

What will I be working

The normal working week for your role is 37 hours per week Monday to Sunday. You will be required to work a rotating shift pattern comprising 10-hour shifts. Normal operational hours are 08:00 to 22:00 Monday to Sunday (inclusive) on a shift pattern.

• Please specify on your CV/Covering letter the location (Manchester or Rochdale) that you would like to be considered for

We’d love to hear from you if

• You enjoy helping people and can stay calm, patient and reassuring when situations are challenging.
• You’re comfortable talking to customers in person or over the phone and can explain things clearly and simply.
• You like practical, hands on work and enjoy figuring out what’s causing a problem.
• You can work well on your own but also enjoy being part of a wider team.You’re organised, reliable and able to manage your time when each day looks a little different.
• You can confidently use basic technology and are happy learning new systems (we’ll train you).
• You’re someone who notices details and takes pride in doing things thoroughly and safely.
• You’re motivated, ‘hands‑on’ and happy supporting colleagues or customers — whether the task is big or small.

What's In It For You

• Salary £40,232 plus a shift allowance premium of £9,108 per annum
• This role will be field based, based out of one of our operational hubs either Davyhulme in Manchester or Rochdale.
• 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 discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

The application journey has 3 key stages

• Our Talent Acquisition team will review your CV
• If skills match, you’ll receive online assessments-keep an eye on your inbox
• If successful, you’ll be invited to interview with our operational team

About Us

Salary - 40,232

Work Type - Onsite

Job Location - Rochdale Wastewater Treatment Works, Roch Valley Way, Rochdale, OL11 4QH (main) or Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works, Trafford Way, Urmston, Manchester, M17 8DD

Role Type - Permanent

Employment Type - Full Time

Working Hours - 37.0 Week 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.