Network Technician (Nights

South East Water; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Holiday entitlement

Flexible annual leave

Volunteer days

Cycle to work

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

South East Water is seeking a Network Technician (Nights) to support the mains network and ensure continuous, wholesome water supply. You will perform leakage detection, DMAs validation, and night-time operations, often outdoors in all weather, coordinating with internal teams and contractors.

Responsibilities include fault diagnosis, shutdown planning, data logging, and liaising with customers about leaks. A full driving licence, strong numeracy, and customer service skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Good standard of secondary education with numeracy and literacy.
• National Water Hygiene training.
• Full, clean driving licence.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ability to work effectively alone with minimal supervision at night.
• Proficiency with data systems such as GIS and Maximo.
• Experience in utilities/infrastructure, preferably water.
• Knowledge of water distribution and leakage detection practices.

Responsibilities

• Perform mains shutdowns with risk assessments and interruption reports.
• Locate hidden leaks using correlators and leakage detection techniques.
• Undertake validation, pressure zonal tests and flow tests for DMAs.
• Repair and maintain leakage assets such as valves, meters and data loggers.
• Record asset data and work details in Maximo and GIS.
• Supervise contractors on the distribution network and issue work orders.
• Conduct flushing and water sampling per regulatory guidelines.
• Assist customers with supply pipe leaks and plumbing issues.
• Coordinate night team activities with internal staff and teams.

Skills

Numeracy & literacy

Customer service

Water distribution knowledge

Night shift capability

Education

Secondary education

National Water Hygiene

Tools

Maximo

GIS

Leakage detection equipment

Job description

The Network Technician (Nights) holds a critical operational role focused on the efficient and reliable management of the mains network. Working, Monday to Friday, 10.00pm to 8.00am, they have a responsibility to provide technical support to help identify and resolve customer water supply issues and to ensure the integrity of the water supply system, through the operation of the network asset infrastructure to provide the constant delivery of wholesome water to homes and businesses.
They are responsible for executing planned leakage detection activities, validation, and survey work to achieve and maintain policy levels of leakage reduction, ensuring the effective operation of District Metered Areas (DMAs) and the optimisation of operational pressures. They are also required to undertake maintenance and repair activity on leakage assets to maintain network pressure control and continued network monitoring.
The Network Technician (Nights) is crucial in identifying and locating leaks to minimize water loss, thereby contributing directly to the company's efficiency and environmental targets. This involves using specialised equipment and techniques to survey water networks, validating existing leak data, and reporting findings accurately to inform repair and maintenance schedules.

Main Responsibilities

• Perform essential network activities such as mains shutdowns, including carrying out risk assessments and interruption reports.
• Investigate and locate hidden leaks utilising specialised equipment (e.g. correlators) and leakage detection techniques (e.g. step testing).
• Undertake network validation, pressure zonal tests and flow tests activity to ensure the integrity of network DMAs.
• Undertake repair and maintenance activity on network leakage assets, such as pressure reducing valves, district meters and data logging equipment.
• Accurately collect, record, or correct network asset data and details of all work completed, utilising systems like Maximo and GIS.
• Supervise contractors working on the distribution network, which includes creating work order requests for contractor response.
• Conduct flushing activity and perform water sampling in line with regulatory guidelines.
• Liaise with and assist customers regarding supply pipe leaks and plumbing issues.
• Coordinate with internal staff (e.g., Distribution, Leakage, Contractors, Customer Contact Centre, Production) on night team activities and leak repairs.

• Good standard of secondary education and able to demonstrate a good standard of numeracy and literacy skills.
• National Water Hygiene (provided by the business).
• Full, clean driving licence.
• Strong Customer Service Skills.
• Ability to work effectively alone with minimal supervision at night, often outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Proficiency in accessing, data entry and understanding of work management systems such as GIS.
• Experience in the utilities/infrastructure industry (preferably the water industry).
• Experience in handling customer complaints or queries.
• General knowledge of water distribution such as plumbing and leakage detection practices, including the use of common tools and technologies is preferable.

We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That's why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

Benefits package

• Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
• Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Life assurance.
• Wellbeing related benefits.

Compensation package

£32,527.81 - £41,035.25 depending on experience. A 25% shift allowance for night work will be added on top.