Permitting Data Technician

South West Water; Exeter; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job description

At South West Water we believe that the strongest businesses are built on solid, stable foundations - with a vision and a culture that gives them the freedom to change, improve and innovate.

We’re proud to be responsible for providing reliable, efficient and high-quality drinking water and wastewater services for the beautiful South West area.

And we have huge ambitions.

Not only are we committed to reaching net-zero by 2030, but we’ve also partnered with Wildlife Trusts, National Parks and local partners to help ensure a better future for generations to come.

So, if you want to be part of a diverse team where opportunities flow and fresh ideas are welcomed, #JustAddWater.

We currently have a Permitting Data Technician position available for a motivated individual to join our team in Environmental Performance. Joining us on a full-time basis, you will receive a competitive salary of up to £30,000 - £34,462 per annum plus excellent benefits.

About the role:

The Permitting Data Technician will maintain and continually develop South West Water’s database of environmental permits for all water discharge activities, waste operations and trade permits, handling and updating associated data and documents.

Developing and maintaining collaborative tools used by the Environmental Permitting Team in support of tracking and managing permit applications, variations and surrenders.

Tracking and checking permit costs in partnership with the Finance team.

Assisting with permit variations to accommodate operational and regulatory changes, liaising with the Environment Agency and South West Water's operational teams as required.

What you’ll be doing:

• Take personal responsibility for managing and maintaining South West Water’s environmental permitting database, with a focus on continuous development and optimisation to enhance data accuracy, functionality, and compliance with regulatory and operational needs.
• Update the permits database when new environmental permits are issued, or existing ones are varied or surrendered, and notify others in the business (e.g., operational site managers, project managers).
• Query the permit database, using SQL or similar, to produce reports as and when required.
• Update our asset management database “Ellipse” with relevant permit data as and when required, for example when permit limits change or to add/amend event duration monitoring (EDM) flags.
• Work with IT to update and continually improve the Permits Database to ensure that it continues to meet business needs.
• Take responsibility for collaborative systems used by the Environmental Permitting Team to track and manage permit workloads (e.g., shared OneNote notebooks, SharePoint libraries, Teams channels).
• Track and check permit costs and ensure these are updated in a timely manner when invoices are issued, flagging errors, and liaising with the Finance department if cost discrepancies found.
• Provide appropriate technical training and support to members of the Environmental Permitting Team, such as new starters, and others in the wider business if required.
• Help provide technical support to South West Water teams and individuals in interpreting and understanding environmental permits and associated information.
• Prepare regulatory data in accordance with legal obligations to the Environment Agency and OFWAT, for example waste quarterly and annual returns, end-of-year company annual audits and reports, etc.
• Assist the Environmental Permitting Team with preparing company responses to consultations on regulatory or legislative updates.
• Support development of the wider Environment Team's intranet presence, including its intranet site and SharePoint site collection(s).
• Provide cover and support for the Environmental Permitting Manager as and when required.
• Support the Environmental Permitting Team by assisting with applications for new permits and variations, and reviewing the draft documents to ensure accuracy and completeness prior to final document issue.

What we are looking for:

• Excellent understanding and experience with relational databases such as Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server. Ability to run queries.
• Scientific or mathematical or related degree, or equivalent experience.
• Good understanding of collaborative tools (OneNote, SharePoint, Teams).
• Advanced Data Management using Excel.
• Understands the importance of maintaining data that connects to other interdependent and key systems.

What's in it for you:

• We know that the support and commitment of our staff is key to our success so you will receive the opportunity for ongoing development and training for a long-term career with us. We’re one of the largest companies in the South West and are proud to have been awarded Investors in People recognition. In return, we offer an excellent range of benefits including:
• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays.
• A discretionary Bonus.
• Competitive Contributory Pension.
• Share-save Scheme.
• Various health benefits.
• Wellbeing support programmes.
• A range of Group Discounts.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Financial support services.
• And plenty more!

£30,000 - £34,462 a year

Closing date: 9th May 2025

If you are looking for a new challenge, please click apply now to be considered as our Permitting Data Technician - we look forward to receiving your application.

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values which are essential to our success are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.