Process Science Technician

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water; Chester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility provider in Chester is seeking a temporary Scientist to improve and optimize wastewater treatment processes. You will support day-to-day operations, assist with research innovations, and ensure compliance with regulations. This position requires a scientific background and knowledge of wastewater treatment legislation. Join a diverse team committed to delivering high-quality services. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Enhanced pension contributions

Free mortgage brokering services

Gym and fitness discounts

Car-leasing scheme

Health CashBack scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum of HNC or equivalent experience required.
• Knowledge of wastewater legislation and processes.
• Ability to communicate ideas effectively.

Responsibilities

• Identify and deliver solutions for wastewater treatment improvements.
• Support day-to-day operations of treatment processes.
• Assist in the Research & Innovation programme.

Skills

Scientific background

Wastewater and sludge treatment experience

Effective communication skills

Root cause analysis

Health and Safety awareness

Education

HNC or equivalent experience

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Job description

Job Requisition Number: 7902

Work Type: Temporary (10 month FTC)

Job Function: Scientist

Salary Range: 30305.00-34442.00

Base: Chester

Closing Date: 23 : 59 on 04 / 09 / 2025

What you'll be responsible for

• Working closely with our operational colleagues for the identification, planning, and delivery of solutions to improve and optimise our wastewater treatment plants.
• Supporting our operational colleagues with ensuring smooth day‑to‑day running of our wastewater treatment processes in line with our regulatory obligations and business targets such as:
  • 100% environmental compliance with UWW, UV nutrients, habitats, PFF
  • Reducing operational costs
  • Customer satisfaction
  • Delivery of environmental monitoring programmes
• Assisting with the delivery of our Research & Innovation programme for wastewater treatment.
• Implementing best practices for wastewater treatment processes and ensuring adequate governance is observed.
• Attending escalations and providing practical solutions in a real‑time fashion to prevent failures.
• Delivering proactive investigations and health checks as indicated by the management team.
• Assisting with:
  • Determining the best strategy for alarm management.
  • Monitoring the completion of OSM sampling and compliance outcomes.
  • The use and management of remote technology for monitoring the treatment process and performance.
  • Communications with the regulator such as control issues and recording of OpNOTs and UVNOTs.
  • Assist in influencing, developing and implementing improvement programmes in line with QMS procedures.
  • Ensuring that all sampling and analytical equipment is fit for purpose and calibrated as needed.
  • Collating, analysing scientific data and preparing reports to deadlines.
  • Working closely with the Trade Effluent team to identify remedial actions, assist with the collection of trader samples or pollution investigations as required.
  • Assisting in the commissioning of new capital schemes and, as requested, providing process support to capital schemes.
  • Attending meetings as necessary and representing wastewater science.
  • Ensuring procedures and activities comply with all H&S legislation and DCWW Health & Safety policy in maintaining a safe working environment.
  • Supporting the management team with developing and maintaining a database of process equipment, biological and analytical information on DCWW wastewater assets.
  • Undertaking any other duties as required to meet the needs of the business.

Who you'll work with

Internal

• Welsh Water management team – Operations, Assets, Energy, Biosolids, SmartHub, H&S, HR
• Welsh Water Contract Partners – suppliers, alliance partners, and delivery managers
• Welsh Water Wastewater Service management team – colleagues

External

• Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales
• Local Authorities

About you

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Scientific background with the minimum of HNC or equivalent experience.
• Experience of wastewater and sludge treatment processes and legislation.
• Experience of influencing people and demonstrating performance.
• Ability to deliver root cause analysis plan and deliver solutions.
• Ability to communicate ideas and targets to others, especially other team members.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer literate, particularly good knowledge of MS Word and Excel; ability to be quickly trained in mainframe scientific database systems.
• Health and Safety awareness.
• Full driving licence and ability to travel as job requires.

Good to know

• This is a temporary position.

For more information on the role please contact.

Benefits

As well as a market‑competitive salary 33 days annual leave (pro‑rata including public holidays) we offer a range of employee benefits and rewards including:

• Option to buy additional annual leave up to 5 days per year
• Enhanced employer pension contributions – up to 11% employer contributions
• Free mortgage brokering services
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies
• Progression opportunities including the ability to apply for funded training and coaching and mentoring programmes
• Gym and fitness discounts as well as high‑street shopping
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme
• Discount off all Welsh Water visitor attraction centres and gift shops
• Car‑leasing scheme and free on‑site parking at all sites
• Health CashBack scheme and access to an online GP service
• An employee assistance programme for employees and their immediate family
• Many more can be found on our website.

Please note we may close this role sooner if required. We may also extend the original closing date depending on interest.

Due to the nature of the industry we require satisfactory references post‑offer, medical clearance and a criminal records Basic Disclosure check on all new employees joining the business.

Who we are

Dr Cymru Welsh Water keeps 3 million people healthy each day with safe, reliable water and takes away wastewater to clean before returning it safely to our beautiful rivers and seas.

To be able to deliver high‑quality essential services which help to protect the health of our customers, colleagues and our environment we need the right people to deliver on our vision. This is achieved by living our core values and demonstrating the core behaviours that underpin them. The security of our people, assets and information is key to us so we are looking for people who understand and comply with the company’s required security objectives.

We know that the most successful teams are the most diverse teams. Equality, diversity and inclusion provide the very foundation to our culture at Welsh Water. We want every individual to feel confident, proud and able to bring their whole selves to work.

To ensure an improved representation in our workforce applications are particularly welcome from minority groups including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people, Females, LGBT, Non‑binary and people with disabilities. Together we continue to build a workplace that not only celebrates the diverse voices of our colleagues but also represents each customer we serve.

In essence ours is a company based on trust, openness, respect, commitment and honesty. A company that our colleagues are proud to work for.

Dr Cymru Cyf a limited company registered in Wales No.. Registered office: Linea Fortran Road St. Mellons Cardiff CF3 0LT.

Dr Cymru Cyf 2019.