Potable Water Sampling Technician

Tetra Tech Europe; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Tetra Tech Europe is seeking a Potable Water Sampling Technician to collect drinking water samples from domestic and commercial premises across a designated region in the UK. The role requires accurate recording, adherence to UKAS/ISO 17025 standards, and safe transport of samples to accredited laboratories.

You will manage daily fieldwork, maintain chain-of-custody records, and interact with customers to arrange appointments and explain sampling processes.

Qualifications

• Must have strong literacy and numeracy.
• Excellent communication with customers and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently in a field-based role.
• High level of attention to detail and quality controls.

Responsibilities

• Collect potable water samples from domestic and commercial sites.
• Maintain accurate sampling records and chain-of-custody documentation.
• Plan daily routes to meet laboratory submission deadlines.
• Ensure sample labelling, preservation and transport follow procedures.
• Represent the organisation professionally at customer premises and sites.

Skills

Strong customer service

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Education

Relevant vocational or scientific qualifications

Job description

Purpose and Scope of the Role

As a Potable Water Sampling Technician, you will be responsible for collecting drinking water samples from domestic properties, commercial premises, public buildings, and water network assets across a defined geographical area. The role supports regulatory monitoring, water quality assurance programmes, and customer investigations by ensuring that representative samples are collected, handled, and transported to accredited laboratories for analysis.

You will be responsible for maintaining accurate sampling records, preserving sample integrity, completing chain-of-custody documentation, and ensuring all activities are carried out in accordance with UKAS accredited procedures, ISO 17025 requirements, internal quality standards, and health and safety policies.

The role requires regular interaction with customers and stakeholders, delivering a professional service while representing the organisation in customers' homes and places of business.

From day one, you will play a critical role in safeguarding public health by ensuring drinking water samples are collected accurately and delivered to the laboratory within required holding times.

Y ou will develop detailed knowledge of potable water sampling procedures, water quality standards, regulatory requirements, and customer engagement practices. Your ability to collect compliant samples and accurately record information will directly support regulatory reporting, operational decision-making, and customer confidence in drinking water quality.

Core Capabilities Required For Success

• Competent collection of potable water samples in accordance with documented sampling procedures.
• Understanding of sterile sampling techniques and contamination prevention.
• Accurate labelling, preservation, storage, and transportation of samples.
• Completion of sample records and chain-of-custody documentation.
• Adherence to UKAS-accredited sampling procedures and ISO 17025 quality requirements.

Quality, Compliance and Attention to Detail

• Strong focus on accuracy and procedural compliance.
• Ability to follow documented methods precisely and maintain complete audit trails.
• Understanding of the importance of sample traceability and data integrity.
• Recognition and reporting of sampling anomalies, non-conformances, and quality concerns.
• Commitment to maintaining standards required for regulatory and accreditation compliance.

Customer Service and Communication

• Professional and courteous interaction with household and business customers.
• Ability to explain sampling activities clearly and confidently.
• Strong interpersonal skills when arranging appointments and accessing customer premises.
• Handling customer enquiries professionally and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Representing the organisation positively at every customer touchpoint.

Organisation and Route Planning

• Effective planning of daily sampling schedules to meet laboratory deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple appointments across a wide geographical area.
• Accurate maintenance of sampling records, digital systems, and work schedules.
• Reliable time management and prioritisation skills.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

• Compliance with all health, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Safe working practices when visiting customer properties and operational sites.
• Ability to carry out dynamic risk assessments and identify hazards.
• Safe driving and handling of sampling equipment.
• Commitment to personal and public safety at all times .

Essential

Qualifications and Training

• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Good standard of literacy and numeracy.
• Ability to work independently and manage a field-based workload.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• High level of attention to detail and commitment to quality standards.

Desirable

• Experience within the water, utilities, environmental, or laboratory sectors.
• Knowledge of potable water sampling methods.
• Understanding of UKAS, ISO 17025, or regulated quality management systems.
• Experience working in customer-facing field roles.
• Relevant vocational or scientific qualifications.

Full training will be provided, including water sampling procedures, quality requirements, health and safety, customer engagement, and company systems.

Work Patterns and Location

Field-based role covering domestic, commercial, and operational sites across the designated region.

Typical working pattern is Monday to Friday (40hrs), with occasional early starts, flexible working hours, or overtime required to meet customer appointments and laboratory submission deadlines.

The role involves regular driving, working independently, and visiting a broad range of customer locations each day.

We have opportunities available across the North of England and the Midlands.

Why join Tetra Tech?

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.

We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science® to solve our clients’ most complex problems.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role. #AS&I