Senior Technician

Pertemps; Wheatley; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water company in Wheatley seeks a Senior Technician for the Sewage Treatment Works team. Responsibilities include coaching team members and managing wastewater treatment processes. The ideal candidate will hold NVQ 3 in Operating Process Plant and possess strong communication skills. They will benefit from a competitive salary up to £35,000, a performance-related pay plan, and a generous pension scheme among other advantages.

Benefits

Competitive salary up to £35,000

Performance-related pay plan

Contributory pension

24 days holiday, increasing to 28

Generous Paternity Leave

Enhanced Maternity Leave

Health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Hands-on operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment process.
• Take ownership of responding quickly to faults.
• Have good communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide coaching and mentoring for team members.
• Assist with smooth running of the team.
• Participate in out-of-hours standby rota.

Skills

Proactive lead on recommendations

Good communication and interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Education

NVQ 3 in Operating Process Plant

Management qualification

IOSH trained or willing to complete H&S training

Job description

We currently have an opportunity for a Senior Technician to join the Sewage Treatment Works team in Wheatley. As part of the team your role is will be primarily field based and will include routine technician activities whilst taking the lead role using your knowledge and experience.

You will also be providing support to the Performance Manager and be responsible for day‑to‑day team guidance and coaching, and process monitoring and maintenance.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the right applicant to gain valuable team, site and contractor management experience, and to contribute to ensuring sewage and sludge are treated effectively and efficiently, protecting our rivers and our local environment.

What you’ll be doing as the Senior Technician

• Provide coaching and mentoring for team members, including apprentices, upskillers and new starters (for example, LTO, monitor verification processes, event learning)
• Provide technical input to help with delivery of the production plan and promote first time fixes (this could include attending planning meetings, inputting into asset availability improvements, investigating site trips)
• Work with the Performance Manager to assist with smooth running of team by taking over some day‑to‑day management or coordinating activities (for example, assisting with process risk assessments, obtaining quotes, assisting with site inductions and reviewing RAMS)
• Role model positive behavioural safety and site pride. Support and promote a positive H&S culture (for example, supporting your colleges to recognise and raise safety observations both good and bad, own resolution of issues, identify ‘Site Pride’ sites, assist with H&S action completion)
• Step up to help cover activities when the Performance Manager or technical coordinator is unavailable.
• Participate in out‑of‑hours standby rota.

Base Location

Wheatley STW, London Road, Wheatley, Oxford, OX33 1JH.

Working Pattern

38 Hours Monday‑Friday 7:30am – 15:36pm. Plus, standby & overtime opportunities upon completion of essential company training.

All PPE, tools, a company van and a fuel card are provided.

Essential criteria you should bring to the role

• NVQ 3 in Operating Process Plant – or working towards it.
• Management qualification – or working towards it.
• Hands‑on operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment process and plant.
• Proactive – take the lead on recommendations and improvements around the site and communicate effectively.
• Take ownership of responding quickly to faults, being curious to fully understand the problem, and identifying the best solution to resolve it the first time.
• Have good communication and interpersonal skills, to interact with the team.
• Teamwork – We are one team, and our end goals are the same.
• IOSH trained or willing to complete H&S training.
• A valid UK driving licence is essential.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £35,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution, maximum of 12% – 2× employee contribution.
• Annual Leave: 24 days holiday per year, increasing to 28 with length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Generous Paternity Leave, including 4 weeks paid and an optional 2 weeks unpaid.
• Enhanced Maternity Leave, 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of yourself and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle‑to‑Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.