Technical Operator

South Staffordshire Water PLC; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family-Friendly Leave

Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Professional Development

Inclusion & Belonging

Recognition Scheme

Relocation Assistance

Job summary

South Staffordshire Water PLC is seeking a Technical Operator in Cambridge to ensure safe, efficient operation of water treatment sites and to manage a varied maintenance programme.

You will work with internal teams and external stakeholders, carrying out preventative maintenance and responding to breakdowns, with a strong focus on safety and continuous learning in a hands-on role.

Qualifications

• Essential electrical/mechanical background in utilities or manufacturing.
• Water industry experience is desirable.
• Proficient IT skills (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Full UK driving licence.
• Proactive and safety-focused mindset; review risk assessments and promote safe practices.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Willingness to learn and develop technically.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor and maintain strategic source water treatment sites to ensure consistent plant performance.
• Carry out planned preventative maintenance and respond promptly to breakdowns to restore operations safely.
• Perform basic electrical and mechanical tasks as part of routine maintenance and repair activities.
• Apply technical knowledge to troubleshoot, repair and improve plant equipment.
• Plan and prioritise workload to meet a demanding maintenance schedule.
• Follow health, safety and environmental standards; ensure safe systems of work at all times.
• Review risk assessments and safe working procedures, challenging practices where necessary.
• Ensure quality standards and compliance procedures are met.
• Build strong working relationships with colleagues, contractors and stakeholders.
• Demonstrate understanding of site design, processes and operational principles.

Skills

Electrical/Mechanical background

Water industry experience

IT skills (Excel/Word/Outlook)

UK driving licence

Safety mindset

Time management

Willingness to learn

Job description

Job Advert

Technical Operator

Salary: Up to £35,442 per annum (DOE) | Company Benefits

Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire (Travel shall be required)

Relocation Support: Relocation assistance and support may be available for candidates who need to move to the local area to take up this position, subject to eligibility and company policy.

Contract: Full Time | Permanent | 40 hours per week

About Us:

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

South Staffs Water supplies a population of nearly 1.3 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:

As a Technical Operator, you will play a vital role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of key water treatment sites. Working closely with both internal teams and external stakeholders, you’ll be responsible for maintaining and optimising plant performance while managing a varied and demanding schedule of maintenance activities.

This is a hands‑on role where no two days are the same, offering a rewarding mix of operational responsibility, technical problem-solving, and continuous learning.

As part of our commitment to attracting experienced water industry professionals, relocation assistance may be available for candidates who can demonstrate relevant operational experience within the water sector and are required to move closer to the Cambridge operational area. This support is designed to help us recruit and retain specialist skills critical to delivering safe and reliable water services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operate, monitor, and maintain strategic source water treatment sites to ensure consistent plant performance
• Carry out planned preventative maintenance and respond promptly to breakdowns to restore operations safely
• Perform basic electrical and mechanical tasks as part of routine maintenance and repair activities
• Apply technical knowledge to troubleshoot, repair, and improve plant equipment
• Effectively plan and prioritise your workload to meet a demanding maintenance schedule
• Work in line with health, safety, and environmental standards, ensuring safe systems of work at all times
• Review and follow risk assessments and safe working procedures, challenging practices where necessary
• Ensure quality standards and compliance procedures are consistently met
• Build strong working relationships with colleagues, contractors, and stakeholders
• Demonstrate an understanding of site design, processes, and operational principles

What You’ll Need:

• A strong electrical or mechanical background within utilities, manufacturing, or a similar industrial environment (essential)
• Experience in the water industry (highly desirable but not essential)
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook
• A full UK driving licence
• A proactive and safety‑focused mindset, with confidence in reviewing risk assessments and promoting safe working practices
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• A willingness to learn and develop within a technical operational environment

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.
• Relocation Assistance: Subject to eligibility and intended primarily for applicants who bring both relevant water industry experience, and technical operational expertise, and would need to relocate for this role.

At South Staffordshire Limited, 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.

We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and encourage you to let us know how we can best support you throughout the recruitment process.

Department Water Specialist

Contract type Permanent

Hours 40 Hours per week, plus standby duty

Salary Up to £35,442 per annum

Closing date for applications 31st August, 2026

REF-(phone number removed)