Instrument Control Automation Technician (Control and Instrumentation Technician)

Pertemps Thames Water; Hatfield; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary up to £47,000 p.a.

Contributory pension

Annual leave 24–28 days + bank hols

Performance-related pay

Health & wellbeing benefits

Company vehicle & fuel card

Job summary

Thames Water seeks an experienced Instrumentation, Control & Automation Technician to support the Hatfield region with maintenance and fault-finding across numerous pumping stations. Based at Mill Green STW, you’ll work a 38-hour week with overtime opportunities and a company van provided.

You will apply your skills in PLCs, HMI systems, calibration and safety procedures, contributing to reliable wastewater services for customers and communities.

Qualifications

• Qualified to HNC level or NVQ Level 3 in instrumentation, control and automation.
• 18th Edition (BS7671) qualification preferred.
• Strong understanding of operational plant and control systems.
• Experience with Wonderware and ClearSCADA.
• Knowledge of relay logic and PLCs (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley), including programming.
• Ability to read circuit diagrams and fault-find.
• Experience with inverter drives and calibration/maintenance of instrumentation.
• Strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach.
• Excellent communicator with internal/external staff.
• Resilient under pressure in a changing environment.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and initiative to design to standards.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety in the industry.
• Team player across multiple teams.
• Hold a full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair pumps and associated control equipment.
• Investigate plant faults and carry out repairs quickly to avoid customer interruptions.
• Carry out scheduled maintenance on instrumentation, control and automation equipment per standards.
• Work at Mill Green STW – AL9 5PE.
• 38 hours per week, Mon-Fri, 7:30am–3:36pm, with overtime opportunities.

Skills

HNC/NVQ3 in instrumentation

18th Edition (BS7671)

Operational plant & control systems

Wonderware & ClearSCADA

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLCs

Fault finding from circuit diagrams

Inverter drives

Instrumentation calibration & maint.

Problem solving

Communication skills

Resilience under pressure

Autonomy & initiative

Health & safety knowledge

Team collaboration

Full UK driving licence

Education

HNC level or NVQ Level 3 in instrumentation, control & automation

18th Edition (BS7671) qualification

Tools

Wonderware

ClearSCADA

Rockwell PLCs

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Job description

About the role

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced instrumentation, control, and automation technician to join the Hatfield-based sewage pumping team at Mill Green STW. You will be working in and around the Hatfield and surrounding areas, covering approximately 270 pumping stations of different sizes and complexities, ensuring sewage is removed from customers properties as efficiently as possible. You will be part of a close-knit, high performing team with a variety of different skills and will gain experience on a wide range of plant and equipment some of which are unique and innovative. This role offers great learning potential with the ability to cross skill into other disciplines.

What you’ll be doing as an Instrument Control Automation Technician (Control and Instrumentation Technician)

To assist in keeping such sites running, the instrumentation, control and automation role will enable you to work on various pumps and associated control equipment, automated actuated valves and penstocks, flow, level and pressure measurement, programmable logic controllers, variable speed drives and controls, chemical handling, and dosing equipment.

You will be expected to investigate plant failures and carry out repairs as quickly and efficiently as possible to avoid interruptions for our customers. This may involve investigating and diagnosing complex faults and carrying out repairs during incidents.

Carrying out scheduled planned maintenance work on instrumentation, control, and automation equipment in compliance with company standards and procedures to improve plant resilience.

Base Location – Mill Green STW – AL9 5PE

Working Pattern: 38 hours per week Monday-Friday. 7:30 am -3:36pm Plus overtime opportunity, increasing earnings by a potential £5,000 upon completion of essential company training.

Equipment: All PPE, tools, a company van and a fuel card are provided.

What you should bring to the role

• Ideally, you will be qualified to HNC level or otherwise NVQ level 3 (or equivalent) in an instrumentation, control and automation discipline.
• Preferably, for you to have an 18th Edition (BS7671) qualification.
• A good, practical understanding of operational plant and control systems is essential.
• An understanding of Wonderware and ClearSCADA is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience working with relay logic and PLCs (Rockwell & Alan Bradley), which will include management and programming.
• The ideal candidate will have the ability to read and fault-find from circuit diagrams, as well as have previous experience with inverter drives.
• We are looking for someone with experience in calibration and maintenance of front-line instrumentation.
• A problem solver, able to identify potential issues and implement solutions, or escalation if required.
• An excellent communicator, providing technical expertise to Internal and External staff and contractors.
• Resilient, adapting to the pressures of work and working in a constantly changing environment.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, under own initiative to design and standards.
• Knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety issues relevant to the industry.
• Team player who can work in many different teams, showing respect for others, providing helpful feedback and supporting the development of others.
• Full UK driving licence.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £47,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Annual Leave: 24 days holiday per year, increasing to 28 with length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Generous Paternity Leave, including 4 weeks paid and an optional 2 weeks unpaid.
• Enhanced Maternity Leave, 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay!
• 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.
• 24 days holiday per year, increasing to 28 days with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• Wider benefits scheme, including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your well-being.
• 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

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? Learn more.

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.