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Portsmouth Water; Havant; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Pension scheme (up to 15%)

Bonus up to 6% (non-contractual)

Life assurance 4x salary

Employee wellbeing support

Discounts at retailers

EV & Cycle to Work schemes

Health Cash Plan

Discretionary social events

Job summary

Portsmouth Water is seeking a Process Operator in Havant to operate and monitor water treatment machinery across our sites in Hampshire and West Sussex.

The role involves outdoor work, at height and in confined spaces, with a standby rota of about 1-in-4 weeks. You will manage chemical handling, data collection, and maintain water quality to meet regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• GCSE English, Maths and a Science-based subject at grade A*-C or Level 4+.
• Adaptable with good attention to detail and analytical skills.
• Independent and critical thinker with effective troubleshooting abilities.
• Willingness to collaborate and share knowledge with others.

Responsibilities

• Visit water treatment works, pumping stations and reservoirs to monitor performance.
• Collect water quality data and record routine activities.
• Operate and maintain treatment assets and monitor water samples.
• Oversee dosing, coagulation, filtration, disinfection and storage processes.
• Ensure site cleanliness and compliance with water quality and hygiene standards.

Skills

GCSE English/Maths/Science level 4

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Troubleshooting

Team player

Safe chemical handling

HMI / touchscreen familiarity

Computer literacy

Education

GCSEs English/Maths/Science (level 4+)

Job description

Process Operator

Company: Portsmouth Water

Salary: £28,295 to £40,120 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: Havant, PO9 1NU

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 5 Sept 2026

Closing date: 4 Oct 2026

We’re making a difference: Together, we can ensure that there is enough water for everyone, now and in the future.

Portsmouth Water are delighted to an opportunity in our growing Production department! We are looking for a skilled Process Operator to operate, control and monitor the machinery and equipment at our sites and facilities across Hampshire and West Sussex.

This role includes working outdoors, at height, in confined spaces and at unsociable times of the day. You will be required to participate in an out of hours standby rota to support the effective operation of our sites 365 days per year (meaning you will be on call circa every 1 in 4 weeks).

Key Responsibilities

• Visit water treatment works, pumping stations, and reservoirs, to monitor and maintain the performance and operability of these sites while carrying out essential duties.
• Data collection of water quality and asset performance, recording routine activities and work completed.
• Operate and maintain treatment work assets, taking, monitoring, recording and interpreting water samples to ensure treatment processes are working effectively.
• Operate clean water treatment processes, for example, chemical dosing, coagulation and flocculation, filtration, disinfection, and storage.
• Monitor external activities in the areas surrounding our works for any activities that may affect the integrity of the water sources.
• Ensure the appearance, cleanliness and operation of our sites meets company standards, whilst maintaining water quality and hygiene standards.
• Be aware of and work to improve our environmental impact – Backflushing, Running to Waste / Trade Effluent discharge, Environmental discharge, Biodiversity Compliance, Reservoir Maintenance.
• Manage, record and ensure adequate rotation and turnover of water treatment chemicals.
• Ensure all work is carried out in line with the company’s Water Production procedures and in full compliance with on-site Health and Safety, Quality Standards, Office of Water Services (OFWAT), Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), Environmental Agency (EA), and Energy & Utilities Skills Register (EUSR) standards for clean water operations.
• Comply with our company standards, policies, processes, systems and procedures to ensure all risks are identified, managed, and mitigated.
• Be responsible for own health, safety, and well-being, reporting site security and safety concerns.

Skills, Qualifications & Competencies

• A* to C grade or Level 4 or above in GCSE English, Maths and a Science-based subject, or Level 2 functional skills.
• Adaptable with good attention to detail and effective analytical skills.
• Independent and critical thinker with the ability to undertake effective troubleshooting.
• Accountable for own actions with a willingness to collaborate with others, while developing and sharing knowledge, ideas and best practice with others.
• Empathetic, self-aware and comfortable with constructively challenging areas that could be improved.
• Open to learning new technology, skills and qualifications.
• Passionate about providing an excellent service to our customers, colleagues, and teams.
• As a team player, you will be flexible in your work to maintain operational requirements and ensure positive outcomes are achieved.
• Knowledge of safe chemical handling and basic hydraulic principles.
• Experience working with Human Machine Interface (HMI) / touchscreen devices.
• Computer and smart phone literate.

The successful applicant will be required to have a full UK manual car driving licence (Class B), will have to undergo a driving assessment, consent to ongoing driving licence checks and additionally any other safety measures deemed necessary by Portsmouth Water Ltd in connection with driving.

If you are successful for the role, you will be required to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks that will include a basic disclosure check. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the national security vetting process for either a CTC or SC clearance check. Any offer of employment is conditional upon completion and receipt of satisfactory checks.

What can Portsmouth Water offer you?

• Holidays Made Better: Enjoy 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, giving you plenty of time to relax, recharge, and explore.
• Pension: We’ll help secure your future with a generous pension scheme, contributing up to 15% – because your tomorrow matters as much as your today.
• Performance Pays Off: You could earn a non-contractual bonus of up to 6% of your basic salary, linked to company performance – because when we succeed together, you should benefit too.
• Family Comes First: Whether you’re welcoming a new arrival through birth or adoption, we’ve got your back with enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave and pay.
• Social Events: All expenses covered summer and winter social events.
• Peace of Mind, Always: Our life assurance scheme gives your loved ones extra security, with a 4x salary lump sum benefit in case the unexpected happens.
• Comprehensive Wellbeing Support: Whether you need confidential mental health and wellbeing advice 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme, or physical health support via our Virtual GP service (available 8am–10pm, 7 days a week for you and your immediate family), help is always close at hand with the HealthHero app.
• Enjoy exclusive discounts at thousands of retailers, plus exciting benefits like:

• Electric Vehicle Scheme (after 1 year)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Health Cash Plan
• …and so much more!

We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from all sections of society.

Please be aware, the Company has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Due to the high volume of applications we may receive, we’re unable to respond to every applicant individually. If your application is of interest, we’ll usually be in touch within 4 weeks of receiving it.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.