Laboratory Technician

Portsmouth Water; Havant; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water service provider in Havant is looking for a Laboratory Technician to join their Water Quality Team. This role involves conducting vital microbiological and chemical analyses, ensuring compliance with ISO 17025 standards, and effectively collaborating with internal and external teams. Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical skills, previous laboratory experience, and a relevant scientific background. Comprehensive benefits include generous leave, pension contributions, and wellbeing support.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Non-contractual bonus up to 6%

Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave

Social events

Life assurance scheme

Wellbeing support

Retail discounts

Qualifications

• Ability to gather and analyze large data sets.
• Empathetic and self-aware with constructive feedback.
• Previous laboratory experience or water industry knowledge is desirable.
• Full UK driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct microbiological and chemical analysis of water samples.
• Interpret test results to meet regulatory standards.
• Maintain equipment for water quality evaluation.
• Ensure proper storage and handling of samples.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Adaptability

Team collaboration

Education

A level in a Science subject

Relevant degree or experience

Pass grade in GCSE English and Maths

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We’re making a difference: Together, we can ensure that there is enough water for everyone, now and in the future.

Portsmouth Water is thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for a Laboratory Technician to join our Water Quality Team! In this dynamic role, you’ll work closely with our Water Quality, Customer Services, Network, and Production teams, alongside both internal and external stakeholders. As a key part of the team, you'll be responsible for analysing water samples and ensuring you are working inline with ISO17025 standards. This position is perfect for someone who is adaptable, detail-oriented, and possesses a keen analytical mind.

What will you be doing?

Key Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the day to day running of allocated analyses and tasks.
• Microbiological and chemical analysis of water samples.
• Interpret test results, ensuring they meet regulatory requirements and adhere to ISO 17025 standards, registering results on central systems.
• Prepare, calibrate, operate and maintain equipment and instruments used to evaluate the quality of water samples
• Ensure the proper storage, handling, transportation and analysis of drinking water samples.
• Maintain housekeeping standards.
• Participate in Departmental Projects.
• Report any work area issues directly to the Work Area Supervisor.
• General laboratory duties (Solution prep, bottle prep, result data entry etc.).
• Daily check of monitoring systems.
• Adherence to the quality system (AQC, PT etc.).
• Provide technical support for WQ customer enquiries.
• Registration of adhoc samples into the laboratory system.
• Receipt and registration of goods received into the laboratory system.
• Perform Validation/Verification of Methods as required.

What do you need?

Skills, Qualifications & Competencies

• Adaptable with good attention to detail, effective analytical and communication skills.
• Able to gather, analyse and interpret large amounts of data using a variety of different output methods.
• Accountable for own actions with a willingness to collaborate with others, whilst developing and sharing knowledge, ideas and best practice with others.
• Empathetic, Self-Aware and Comfortable with constructively challenging areas that could be improved.
• Systems based skills, open to learning new technology.
• Passionate about providing an excellent service, to our customer, colleagues and across teams within Portsmouth Water.
• Be flexible in your work to maintain operational requirements and to ensure positive outcomes are always achieved.
• Able to effectively plan workload.
• Maintains a helpful, customer focused work environment.
• Exceptional record keeping skills to ensure audit trails are maintained.
• Pass rate GSCE in English and Maths.
• A level in a Science subject and relevant degree or relevant experience is desirable.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and computer literate.
• Full UK driving licence (You will be required to undertake our driver assessment).
• Previous laboratory experience and a good understanding of water treatment processes and / or water industry exposure is desirable.
• Full membership of a relevant professional body is desirable.

We recognise people want to work in a variety of different ways, and that’s why we’re happy to consider flexible working arrangements. Please feel free to talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may be looking for.

We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from all sections of society.

Please be aware, the Company has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

What can Portsmouth Water offer you?

At Portsmouth Water, We Believe In Rewarding Our People. Here’s Just a Taste Of What’s Waiting For You When You Join The Team

• Holidays Made Better: Enjoy 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, giving you plenty of time to relax, recharge, and explore.
• A Pension That Works for You: We’ll help secure your future with a generous pension scheme, contributing up to 15% because your tomorrow matters as much as your today.
• Performance Pays Off: You could earn a non-contractual bonus of up to 6% of your basic salary, linked to company performance because when we succeed together, you should benefit too.
• Family Comes First: Whether you’re welcoming a new arrival through birth or adoption, we’ve got your back with enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave and pay.
• Social Events: All expenses covered summer and winter social events.
• Peace of Mind, Always: Our life assurance scheme gives your loved ones extra security, with a 4x salary lump sum benefit in case the unexpected happens.
• Comprehensive Wellbeing Support: Whether you need confidential mental health and wellbeing advice 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme, or physical health support via our Virtual GP service (available 8am-10pm, 7 days a week for you and your immediate family), help is always close at hand with the HealthHero app.
• PW Perks Treat Yourself!: Enjoy exclusive discounts at thousands of retailers, plus exciting benefits like Electric Vehicle Scheme (after 1 year), Cycle to Work Scheme, Health Cash Plan and so much more!