Production Operative

South Staffs Water; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work

Staff discounts

Career development

Long service awards

Job summary

South Staffordshire Water is seeking a Production Operative to support operation, maintenance and monitoring of water treatment facilities, booster stations, pumping stations and reservoirs to ensure a safe, reliable supply of high-quality drinking water. Based at Seedy Mill Water Treatment Works in Lichfield, this full-time role requires adherence to health and safety standards and regular weekend duties.

You will coordinate chemical deliveries, conduct routine asset maintenance and work with

Qualifications

• Experience handling chemicals safely and working in an operational environment.
• Understanding of basic hydraulic principles and water assets.
• Full UK driving licence and tractor licence with hitching and reversing.

Responsibilities

• Promote and adhere to health, safety and environmental procedures.
• Carry out maintenance on booster stations and related assets.
• Coordinate chemical deliveries to production sites.
• Schedule access to production facilities and undertake routine inspections.
• Support maintenance at Seedy Mill Water Treatment Works and manage sludge processes.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Independent worker

Basic IT skills

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Water Process Operations

IOSH Managing Safely

EUSR National Water Hygiene Card

High Voltage Awareness

Confined Spaces training

Job description

Salary: £28,956.25 - £31,382.17 per annum (DOE) | Company Benefits

Location: Seedy Mill, Lichfield | Regular Travel Required

Contract: Full-Time | Permanent | 40 hours per week

About Us

South Staffordshire Water, which operates across two regions as Cambridge Water and South Staffs Water is a privately-owned regulated water only company.

South Staffs Water supplies a population of nearly I.3 million. The area of supply stretches from the edge of Ashbourne in the north, to Halesowen in the south, and from Burton on Trent in the east, to Kinver in the west.

The Role

Keeping our water production assets operating safely and efficiently is at the heart of this role. As a Production Operative, you will support the operation, maintenance and monitoring of water treatment facilities, booster stations, pumping stations, reservoirs and associated infrastructure. You will play a key role in ensuring the reliable supply of high-quality drinking water while maintaining the highest standards of health and safety, environmental compliance and site performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote and adhere to all health, safety and environmental procedures across production sites.
• Carry out operational and maintenance activities on booster stations and associated assets.
• Coordinate and manage chemical deliveries to production sites.
• Schedule and oversee third-party access to production facilities.
• Undertake routine inspection and maintenance activities across:
• Valve complexes
• Booster stations
• Source stations
• Support routine maintenance activities at Seedy Mill Water Treatment Works.
• Manage sludge control and removal processes.
• Carry out cleaning and disinfection of reservoirs and contact tanks.
• Undertake water quality sampling in accordance with operational requirements.
• Work collaboratively with Technical Operators and wider operational teams.
• Participate in weekend treatment works duties on a rota basis.
• Maintain excellent standards of housekeeping across all production sites.

What You’ll Need

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience handling and storing chemicals safely.
• Understanding of basic hydraulic principles.
• Experience undertaking site, grounds or asset maintenance activities.
• Ability to work safely in an operational environment and follow established procedures.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Tractor licence with hitching and reversing certification.
• Basic IT skills and confidence using digital systems and mobile devices.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a varied workload.
• Previous experience within the water or utilities industry.
• NVQ Level 2 in Water Process Operations (or equivalent).
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification.
• EUSR National Water Hygiene Card.
• High Voltage (HV) Awareness certification.
• Confined Spaces training.
• Experience working on operational treatment, distribution or production assets.

This role is well suited to someone who enjoys hands‑on work, takes pride in maintaining high operational standards and is committed to delivering safe, reliable water services to customers.

We are able to provide training towards the relevant qualifications for the successful candidate in this post.

What You’ll Get

• Family-Friendly Leave: Enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity & Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support, and up to 5 paid Carer’s Days
• Financial & Life Assurance: Company Pension Scheme with salary sacrifice options
• Health & Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme and 24/7 Virtual GP access for you and your dependents
• Lifestyle & Perks: Cycle to Work Scheme and My Premier Benefits discounts, cashback, and vouchers
• Professional Development: Hands‑on training and ongoing career development opportunities
• Inclusion & Belonging: Active People Networks – Disability & Neurodiversity, Unity+, Women’s Network, Parent & Carer Networking Group and more
• Performance & Recognition: Annual salary review, Reward & Recognition Scheme, and Long Service Awards.

At South Staffordshire Group, inclusion matters. We have a wide range of employee networks which are employee-led communities that bring our people together, support different perspectives and create a strong sense of belonging. Our people are encouraged to get involved as members or allies.

We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.

We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including all genders, ethnicity, sexual orientations, and physical and neurodiverse abilities.