Network Operator

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Thames Water Ltd in Reading is seeking a Network Operator to join the Water Control team and help deliver a 24/7 service. You will monitor the water supply, identify risks, and coordinate responses to ensure safe, reliable water for customers.

You’ll work a 6-week rolling pattern with 12-hour days and nights, including weekends. The role supports maintenance, large projects, and data-driven decision making using SCADA and GIS tools.

Qualifications

• Problem-solving mindset and ability to perform under pressure.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Analytical thinking and data-driven decision making.
• IT literacy and adaptability to new digital tools.
• Good numerical and communication skills.
• Familiarity with SCADA and GIS is advantageous.
• Experience in water treatment, networks, or regulation is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and safeguard Thames Water’s supply system by identifying risks and coordinating responses.
• Assist emergency work with technical guidance to prevent environmental damage and maintain service.
• Respond to dynamic supply and demand patterns influenced by weather and other factors.
• Support the delivery of multi-billion-pound engineering projects and routine maintenance.

Skills

Problem-solving mindset

Teamwork

Analytical thinking

IT literacy (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Numerical skills

Communication skills

SCADA familiarity

GIS familiarity

Water industry knowledge

Tools

SCADA systems

GIS systems

Job description

Job title Network Operator Ref 45030 Division Asset Operations & Capital Delivery Location Hybrid - Kemble Court - RG2 6AD Contract type Fixed term/Secondment Full/Part-time Full-time Salary This role will be paid from £32,700 to £37,000 per annum depending on skills and experience Job grade A Closing date 18/11/2026

As 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

As a Network Operator, you’ll play a vital role in safeguarding Thames Water’s supply system by monitoring performance, identifying risks, and coordinating responses to ensure uninterrupted service. You’ll be at the heart of operational decision-making, using data and technology to maintain water quality, support emergency response, and enable essential maintenance and infrastructure projects.

• 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 elevate 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.

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.

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.