Network Operator

JAM Recruitment Ltd; Reading; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension scheme

Flexible benefits package

Health and wellbeing programs

Job summary

Thames Water is recruiting for a Network Operator in Reading. You will monitor the water supply network, identify risks, and coordinate responses to maintain an uninterrupted 24/7 service.

The role involves working with SCADA/GIS systems and providing technical guidance during emergencies. You’ll join the System Operations team to protect water quality, support maintenance, and enable major engineering projects.

Qualifications

• Ability to monitor network performance and respond to risks.
• Strong numerical and communication skills for liaison with colleagues and customers.
• Experience or familiarity with SCADA/GIS systems is advantageous but not required.
• Problem-solving mindset and ability to work under pressure.
• Experience in water treatment, networks, or regulation is beneficial but not required.

Responsibilities

• Monitor network performance and spot risks to maintain uninterrupted supply.
• Coordinate responses and emergency actions to protect customers and environment.
• Use technology to detect issues and prevent disruptions.
• Ensure water quality standards are met and safety is maintained.
• Provide technical guidance during maintenance and emergency work.
• Respond to changing supply/demand patterns influenced by weather and other factors.
• Support delivery of major engineering projects within Thames Water.
• Assist with maintenance of assets and customer service standards.
• Assess information from events and control systems to prioritise risks.

Skills

IT literacy

Analytical thinking

Data-driven decisions

Teamwork

Communication skills

SCADA familiarity

GIS familiarity

Water networks knowledge

Tools

SCADA systems

GIS systems

Job description

Based in Reading, the Network Operator joins Thames Water’s System Operations team, the sole operations group overseeing supply from source to tap. Within the Water Control team, the post-holder helps deliver a 24/7 service, ensuring safe, reliable, high-quality water for customers. Duties include monitoring network performance, spotting risks, and coordinating responses to maintain uninterrupted supply. The role sits at the centre of operational decision-making, drawing on technology to protect water quality, support emergency response, and enable essential maintenance and infrastructure projects.

This full-time contract pays £32,700 to £37,000 annually, dependent on skills and experience. s a Network Operator, you’ll be part of Thames Water’s System Operations team—the only operations team that oversees water supply from source to tap. Working within the Water Control team, you’ll help deliver a 24/7 service, ensuring safe, reliable, and high-quality water for our customers.

What you’ll be doing as a Network Operator

• Duties include monitoring network performance, spotting risks, and coordinating responses to maintain uninterrupted supply.
• Monitoring and managing our water supply system to identify emerging risks and implement timely solutions.
• Using advanced technology to detect and prevent issues before they impact customers.
• Ensuring water quality standards are consistently met to protect public health.
• Providing technical guidance during emergency work to prevent environmental damage and maintain service continuity.
• Responding to dynamic supply and demand patterns influenced by weather, social behaviours, and other external factors.
• Supporting the delivery of multi‑billion-pound engineering projects.
• Facilitating essential maintenance of Thames Water’s vast asset base while maintaining customer service standards.
• Assessing incoming information from emails, calls, direct messages, and control room systems to prioritise risks and escalat[e] high‑consequence issues to the incident team.

Location

Kemble Court, Reading, RG2 6AD

Working pattern/hours

You’ll work on a 6‑week rolling shift pattern with 12-hour day and night shifts, including weekends. Across the 6 weeks, you’ll have both a full week and a full two weeks off. Annual leave is built into this pattern.

What you should bring to the role

• A problem‑solving mindset and ability to perform under pressure.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Analytical thinking and data‑driven decision‑making.
• IT literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook) and adaptability to new digital tools.
• Good numerical and communication skills for effective liaison with colleagues, stakeholders, and customers.
• Familiarity with SCADA and GIS systems is advantageous but not essential.
• Experience in water treatment, networks, or regulation is beneficial but not required.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary from £32,700 to £37,000 per annum.
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to both company and individual performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• 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.

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.

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.