Network Operational Specialist

Yorkshire Water; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional water services company in the UK is seeking a Network Operational Specialist to support their Customer Field Services department. This permanent position entails working 37 hours a week and providing technical guidance on sewer operations, alongside ensuring excellent customer service. The successful candidate will possess a strong technical understanding of sewer systems, experience in customer-facing roles, and a solid health & safety background. This role offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary range

Annual bonus opportunity

Attractive pension scheme

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Life assurance cover

Health cash plan scheme

Gym membership discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in customer communication essential.
• Technical knowledge of sewer systems.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support on sewer operations.
• Coach field operatives for quality investigations.
• Manage CSO asset base ensuring effective operation.

Skills

Technical understanding of sewer systems

Customer service experience

Health & Safety background

Interpersonal skills

Proficient in IT

Education

Understanding of vehicle and equipment operation

Tools

High-pressure jetting equipment

Microsoft Office Suite

SAP

Job description

Benefits

• Competitive salary range from £41,477 to £51,846 depending on experience
• Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Development opportunities in line with the Network Operational Specialist progression plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus an extra wellness day! Additional days in lieu of working bank holidays
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• Great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover
• Retail savings scheme
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more

Location

We currently have a vacancy for a Network Operational Specialist in our Customer Field Services department. This role will cover Knostrop and surrounding areas in West Yorkshire, helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to customers. Could this be you?

Working type

This is a permanent opportunity working 37 hours per week. Once fully trained, you will be expected to take part in an out of hours standby, therefore flexibility outside of working core hours is essential.

What we do!

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this.

We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. Customer Field Services are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

The Network Operational Specialist role is split between field and office-based work in a geographical area working to improve customer service and sewer performance and response to escalated incidents.

The Network Operational Specialist is responsible for coaching and supporting field-based operatives to ensure a quality investigation is undertaken, evidenced, and documented, promoting a first‑time fix solution for customers and the environment in accordance with our standards and specifications. You will work to minimise repeats. You will review customer complaints and ensure the right action is taken to resolve these.

Where you fit in!

Key responsibilities

• The Network Operational Specialist will provide technical support on the safe operation of the Customer Field Services fleet and equipment including all aspects of jetting, CCTV, Recycler/Vactor operation, sewer network investigations. You will review RAMS for all works to be delivered on the gravity sewer network.
• The Network Operational Specialist provides technical support and guidance to Wastewater on all aspects of the gravity sewer network. You will support significant incidents (pollution / flooding) and support field‑based teams to incident‑manage the situation.
• The Network Operational Specialist provides expert advice to ensure safe operation and restoration of operational failure on the sewer network. Support will be provided to the whole of the Customer Field Services department as well as the wider business.
• In addition, you will support the Operational Delivery Manager’s with the escapes review process for all aspects of sewer network escapes, Internal and External Flooding and Pollution. Provide technical and financial validation to all aspects of follow‑on work for both YW and service partners. Ensuring all work promoted resolves operational issues and prevents repeat calls.
• The role works with the operational contracts team to drive improvements and efficiencies within the WWSA such as remedial activity, prolonged work activity and poor work practices.
• You will also manage the CSO asset base ensuring safe and effective operation. Working closely with central control and CSO teams to ensure the delivery of maintenance plans.

Qualifications

• The successful applicant will have a technical understanding of the sewer systems and network performance issues and associated assets and a basic knowledge of sewage treatment works. Although, your technical experience may lie within the wider wastewater services, broader industries.
• The successful applicant will have knowledge, experience and understanding of the vehicles and equipment used to resolve issues on the sewer network. You will have previous experience in the operation of high‑pressure jetting equipment with appropriate accreditation.
• You will have a previous experience in a customer service‑related role with face‑to‑face communication with customers is an essential requirement of this role.
• You will have proven ability to work in a busy environment, managing day to day workloads, whilst being able to review workloads in a short space of time to intervene and mitigate risks.
• You will have a strong Health & Safety background and have a previous experience of Health and Safety management processes and systems which can be demonstrated within previous roles.
• You will have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work as part of a team, develop and maintain effective internal and external relationships as you will be dealing with several key stakeholders to complete the required work.
• You will be able to demonstrate strong influencing skills and can influence outcomes and make decisions, show rigorous attention to detail to ensure ‘right first time’ approach and have the experience of evidence capture and feedback.
• You will be proficient in the use of IT as you will be using the Microsoft suite of applications and company‑based systems such as SAP. Training will be provided for the company‑based systems.
• You will also be required to travel to different operational sites across the region therefore a full valid driving licence (with no more than 6 points) is required for this role.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy!

How to apply

If you’ve got experience in Sewer Network and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.

Closing Date: 26th January 2026.

Interviews will be ongoing until the middle of February 2026.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre‑employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third‑Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.

All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are proud to serve the Yorkshire region and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds to apply.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.