Network Process Scientist

Southern Water; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional water supply company is seeking a Network Process Scientist to monitor and optimize drinking water quality from source to tap. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with drinking water legislation and conducting audits. The ideal candidate will have excellent IT skills, strong analytical abilities, and a good understanding of water chemistry. Competitive compensation and a range of benefits are offered, including flexible working options.

Benefits

25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays

BUPA cash plan cover

Free annual flu jab

Pension contributions up to 11%

Employee assistance program

Company and performance-related bonus

Life assurance equal to 4x salary

Health Cash Plan

Two paid volunteering days a year

Discounts with over 800 popular retailers

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of chemistry and microbiology related to water quality.
• Ability to conduct audits and checks on existing assets.
• Knowledge of health significance of water quality parameters.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and optimize drinking water quality from source to tap.
• Ensure compliance with UK and EC legislation for drinking water quality.
• Collect and analyze data for quality compliance investigations.

Skills

Excellent IT skills including data analysis in Excel

Good mathematical fluency

Analytical thinking

Self-motivated and assertive

Good understanding of water chemistry/biology

Knowledge of regulatory principles governing UK water supply

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Overview

As a Network Process Scientist, you will be responsible for monitoring and optimising drinking water quality from source to tap to ensure we meet our customer promise of a constant, high quality supply. This role base is flexible and responsible for all Water Supplies in our area.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that all relevant UK and EC legislation is adhered to, in particular that relating to drinking water quality
• Monitoring and analysis of telemetry and laboratory data
• Working within the Process Science team responsible for maintaining or improving the quality of water supplied to customers from the distribution network
• Assist SWS to meet Output Delivery Incentive low level targets for contacts relating to appearance, Taste and Odour and help improve our rankings within the industry against both the Compliance Risk Index (CRI) and Event Risk Index (ERI).
• You will be responsible for audits and checks on existing assets and assist in the development and implementation of system improvements.
• You will investigate and report on water quality compliance breaches.
• Day to day activities include, but are not limited to, distribution network water quality reporting, assessing the impacts of new mains connections, follow up sampling after mains repair sample failures, monitoring network water age and reservoir turnover, and ensuring that water distribution impingement activities comply with the SWS hygiene code of practice.
• Collecting and analysing data to investigate scientific issues and draw out conclusions and recommendations.

Qualifications / Experience

• Excellent IT skills including data analysis in Excel
• Good mathematical fluency
• Analytical thinking
• Self-motivated, assertive, and independent thought whilst being a good team worker too.
• The following experience will be advantageous: Good understanding of water chemistry/biology and the principles of water treatment
• A sound understanding of chemistry and / or microbiology, health significance of water quality parameters
• Knowledge of the regulatory principles and framework governing the UK water supply industry
• Ability to use GIS software

Additional information

• This role is both challenging and rewarding. You will be a part of a high performing technical function, working at a fast pace, conducting desktop analysis/reviews along with site visits to ensure industry and internal best practice, and water quality compliance.
• This is a key role to ensure that Southern Water maintains the high standards set out by our regulators. This role will require travel around your allocated area and therefore it is essential you have a full, clean UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.

Benefits

• Here at Southern Water, not only do we offer a competitive salary but great benefits too!
• 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays
• BUPA cash plan cover (with options to upgrade for family coverage)
• Free annual flu jab and eye test vouchers
• Pension contributions up to 11% (depending on your contribution)
• An employee assistance program
• A network of sports and social clubs
• Company and performance-related bonus
• Life assurance equal to 4x salary
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
• Health Cash Plan
• Two paid volunteering days a year
• Occupational health service
• Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
• Digital GP service
• Study support may be available for job-related qualifications
• Competitive maternity & paternity leave and flexible return to work options

Does this opportunity excite you but you're not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that 'normal' office hours aren't possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can't accommodate every flexible working request, we'll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?

Privacy Statement: Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your manager is aware of your application.