Environmental Permitting Specialist

Thames Water; Reading; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company in the UK seeks an Environmental Permitting Specialist to manage environmental permits for water discharge operations. The role involves advising teams, negotiating with regulators, and ensuring compliance with environmental standards. Ideal candidates will have a degree in relevant fields and strong skills in communication, organisation, and technical writing. This position offers a competitive salary and numerous benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary up to £55,000

26 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Performance-related pay plan

Health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Experience or interest in environmental permitting, regulation, or compliance.
• Strong technical writing skills for clear permit applications.
• Understanding of Environment Agency guidance and permitting frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Manage environmental permits linked to water discharge activities.
• Provide expert advice on environmental permitting for projects.
• Negotiate with the Environment Agency on permits.

Skills

Environmental permitting

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Collaboration skills

Technical writing

Microsoft Excel

Data management

Education

Degree in Environmental Science

Degree in Environmental Management

Degree in Data Management

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Environmental Permitting Specialist

Exciting opportunity at Thames Water to ensure our water discharge operations meet the highest environmental standards and regulatory expectations.

Responsibilities

• Managing environmental permits linked to our water discharge activities, ensuring accurate, up‑to‑date regulatory information.
• Providing expert advice to internal teams on how environmental permitting affects operational and capital delivery projects.
• Negotiating with the Environment Agency on new permits or changes to existing ones to meet regulatory requirements while protecting Thames Water’s interests.
• Supporting AMP8 and WINEP programme delivery, helping projects achieve compliance through strong permitting foundations.
• Representing the business in discussions with regulators and across internal teams to ensure accurate, timely, and high‑quality submissions.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of permitting processes, internal reporting, and compliance tracking.

Essential Qualifications

• Experience or interest in environmental permitting, regulation, or compliance.
• Excellent communication, organisation, and collaboration skills.
• A passion for sustainability and improving environmental outcomes.
• Strong technical writing skills and ability to write clear, structured technical documents and coordinate complex permit applications.

Additional Skills and Experience

• Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Data Management, or similar.
• Experience working in regulated environments (water, wastewater, emissions, waste).
• Understanding of Environment Agency guidance and permitting frameworks.
• Experience in operational or project delivery teams within the utility or infrastructure sector.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Excel and data systems (Power BI experience a plus).

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary up to £55,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual leave – 26 days per year, increasing to 30 with length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Generous pension scheme through AON.
• Performance‑related pay plan linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Health and wellbeing benefits: annual health MOTs, access to physiotherapy and counselling, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers, and life assurance.

About Thames Water

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. Thames Water is committed to building a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments – extra time, accessible formats, or anything else – just let us know, we’re here to help and support.