Production Operative (6 Month FTC)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Family-friendly leave

Company pension

Employee assistance & virtual GP

Cycle to work

Career development

Diversity networks

Job summary

South Staffordshire Water is seeking a Production Operative at Seedy Mill in Lichfield to support the operation, maintenance and monitoring of water treatment facilities and related infrastructure, ensuring safe, reliable drinking water. You will work as part of a team across booster stations, reservoirs and treatment works.

The role requires hands-on, safety-focused work with weekend duties on a rota and training toward relevant qualifications.

Qualifications

• 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.

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 across reservoirs, valve complexes, booster stations, source stations and water treatment works.
• Support routine maintenance 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 according to requirements.
• Work with Technical Operators and wider teams.
• Participate in weekend treatment duties on a rota.
• Maintain housekeeping across all production sites.

Skills

Chemicals handling

Hydraulic basics

Site maintenance

Driving licence

Tractor licence

IT literacy

Teamwork

Independence

Water sector exp

HV awareness

Confined spaces

Asset operations

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Water Process Operations (or equivalent)

IOSH Managing Safely

EUSR National Water Hygiene Card

High Voltage Awareness

Confined Spaces training

Job description

Production Operative

Salary:

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

Location:

Seedy Mill, Lichfield | Regular Travel Required

Contract:

Full-Time | 6-Month FTC | 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.

Please note that this position is on a 6Month Fixed Term Contract.

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:
  • Reservoirs
  • Valve complexes
  • Booster stations
  • Source stations
  • Water treatment works
• 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.