GIS Specialist

JAM Recruitment Ltd; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Generous Pension Scheme through AON

Annual medical assessments

Job summary

Thames Water's System Insights team in Reading is hiring a GIS Specialist to apply spatial analytics and modelling to inform billions of pounds of investment. You’ll work with engineers, modellers and environmental specialists to shape decisions on resilient wastewater networks and community benefits.

Hybrid role based in Reading with 2–3 days in the office. Join a multidisciplinary team driving strategic programmes like Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans and Price Reviews, using ArcGIS,

Qualifications

• Experience in GIS, spatial analytics or geospatial data work.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS tools and related GIS software.
• Ability to turn data into actionable insights for decision making.
• Experience handling large datasets and data-driven analysis.

Responsibilities

• Analyse spatial and operational datasets to identify patterns and opportunities.
• Deliver GIS-based analysis and modelling to inform investment planning.
• Develop visualisations and dashboards for accessible insights.
• Support QA to ensure data accuracy and integrity.
• Collaborate with analysts, modellers and stakeholders to solve challenges.
• Explore automation and data science to improve data use.
• Contribute to AMP8 programmes and major strategic initiatives.

Skills

GIS analysis

ArcGIS

Data visualization

Python/R

Tools

ArcGIS Suite

Power BI

Python

Job description

The GIS Specialist position in Reading sits within Thames Water’s multidisciplinary System Insights team, supporting the sector’s largest capital investment programme.

You will apply spatial analytics and mapping expertise to shape decisions on billions of pounds of infrastructure spending, focusing on resilient wastewater networks and community benefits.

Collaborating with modellers, engineers, and environmental professionals, your work will underpin strategic initiatives such as Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans and Price Reviews.

This full-time role offers a competitive salary between £47,000 and £60,000, dependent on experience.

Your outputs will directly guide future investment, addressing pressing challenges like climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience.

Join Thames Water's multidisciplinary System Insights team and help shape the water industry's biggest-ever investment programme.

Using GIS, spatial analytics and data-driven insight, you'll influence how we invest billions of pounds in critical infrastructure, helping create more resilient wastewater systems while delivering lasting benefits for customers, communities and the environment.

Working alongside hydraulic modellers, data analysts, engineers and environmental specialists, you'll help build the evidence that underpins major strategic programmes, including our Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans and Price Reviews.

This is a unique opportunity to see your work directly inform future investment decisions and help tackle some of the sector's biggest challenges, including climate change, population growth and environmental sustainability.

What you'll be doing as a GIS Specialist?

• Analysing spatial and operational datasets to identify patterns, trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Delivering GIS-based analysis and modelling to support investment planning and asset management decisions.
• Using spatial analytics to help define and prioritise AMP8 projects and programmes, with support from colleagues where needed.
• Developing visualisations, dashboards and self-service tools that make complex information accessible and actionable.
• Supporting quality assurance activities to ensure data accuracy and integrity.
• Collaborating with analysts, modellers and operational stakeholders to solve real-world challenges.
• Exploring innovative technologies, automation and data science techniques to improve how we use data across the business.
• Contributing to strategic programmes that address challenges such as climate change, population growth and environmental resilience.

What you should bring to the role

• Experience working in a GIS, spatial analytics, geospatial science, data analytics or similar role.
• Experience using Esri ArcGIS and related GIS tools, or a willingness to build on existing GIS knowledge.
• Knowledge of spatial analysis, data visualisation and geospatial modelling techniques.
• Good analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to turn complex datasets into clear, useful insights.
• Experience working with large datasets and applying data-driven approaches to support decision-making.
• Experience within the water or wastewater sector would be beneficial, but we also welcome candidates from utilities, infrastructure, environmental services, local authorities, councils, engineering consultancies and other asset-intensive industries.
• Experience automating GIS workflows using ArcGIS Model Builder, FME, Databricks or similar tools would be helpful, but is not essential.
• Knowledge of Python, SQL, R or other programming languages used for analytics and modelling would be an advantage.
• Experience developing dashboards and visualisations using Power BI, Tableau, ArcGIS Online Dashboards or Experience Builder.
• Exposure to GeoAI, machine learning or other analytical techniques within a spatial data environment would be useful, and there will be opportunities to continue learning.

This is a hybrid role based at either Clearwater Court in Reading or Reading Sewage Treatment Works, with an expectation of being in the office 2-3 days per week. You'll benefit from a collaborative team environment while maintaining flexibility to balance office and home working.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive salary of £47,000 - £60,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• 26 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with length of service, plus bank holidays.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Annual personal medical assessments available to all employees.
• 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.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.

Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

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 meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits. 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 of 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?

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, 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.