Technical Water Quality Officer

United Utilities; Preston; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave (26–30 days)

Competitive pension up to 14%

Bonus scheme up to 7.5%

Healthcare plan

Gym discounts

Employee assistance

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking a hands-on Water Quality professional to oversee calibration, validation, and documentation of sampling activities ensuring UKAS accreditation. You will train and audit Water Quality Officers, coordinate sampling across sources, and maintain schedules with USample, TAPS and JUMP systems.

You will collect samples, ensure DWTS, MCERTS and regulatory compliance, and support continuous improvement within Water and Scientific Services.

Qualifications

• NVQ/QCF Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
• Full driving licence and willingness to travel.
• Strong understanding of ISO 17025, Mcerts, DWTS, ISO 5667 and UWWTD requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversees sampling planning to maintain UKAS accreditation.
• Audits Water Quality Officers and maintains CPD records.
• Collects samples and conducts field tests per standards and regulations.
• Coordinates use of scheduling tools to ensure uninterrupted sampling.
• Supports Water Quality Officers with training and quality improvements.

Skills

Auditing Water Quality Officers

CPD records maintenance

Regulatory compliance

IT skills

Education

NVQ/QCF Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant discipline

Tools

USample scheduling tool

TAPS scheduling system

JUMP scheduling tool

Job description

Salary - £38346
Work Type - Onsite
Job Location - White Bull Water Treatment Works, Preston Road, Alston, Longridge, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 3BL
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week#

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

The Role

• Oversees long- and short-term planning for calibration, validation, verification, and documentation of accredited sampling activities to maintain UKAS accreditation.

• Acts as the main focal point for Water Quality Team, responsible for training and auditing officers in line with UKAS, ISO17025, DWTS, Mcerts, and other regulatory standards.

• Provides key planning and quality support across Water and Scientific Services, assisting internal and external clients and supporting the Water Quality Officer Team Leader.

• Manages and conducts sample collection and field tests for regulatory and operational purposes, ensuring compliance with DWI and EA standards.

• Collects samples from diverse sources (“bath to bay” and “source to tap”) for compliance, environmental monitoring, incidents, and customer complaints, helping United Utilities meet its sampling commitments.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Acts as local expert for USample, TAPS, and scheduling systems, managing modifications and ensuring seamless sampling operations; provides business continuity during system failures.

• Prepares and distributes sample sheets and labels when systems are unavailable, ensuring compliance with Water Regulations, DWTS, OSM, Mcerts, and ISO 5667.

• Maintains quality systems for sample planning and scheduling to achieve and sustain UKAS and other regulatory accreditations; champions quality control and continuous improvement.

• Coordinates maintenance and repair of field testing equipment (e.g., pH meters, Chlorometers, Turbidity meters, fridges) and manages daily stock levels for Water Quality Officers.

• Oversees courier contractor performance locally, promotes best practice sharing, and drives continuous improvement within Water and Scientific Services.
• This role is working 8am-4pm Monday to Friday. It includes participation in a standby rota and contractual weekends.

What We Are Looking For:

• Able to undertake all scheduling tasks for regulatory, operational, and customer complaint sampling. Ensure Water Quality Officers’ skills and availability are kept up to date for use by USample and other associated scheduling tools.

• Maintain relevant and up-to-date Continuous Professional Development (CPD) records to meet the requirements of DWI Regulation 16. Good understanding of ISO 17025, Mcerts, DWTS, ISO 5667, UWWTD, and all other related regulatory requirements.

• Proficient auditor for undertaking audits of Water Quality Officers and Technical Water Quality Officers in accordance with UKAS accreditation, DWTS, and Mcerts. Scientifically and technically adept with recent experience of field-testing activities including pH and chlorine meter validations.

• Thorough understanding of Health and Safety within the workplace as applied to Water Quality roles. Systematic and accurate, able to respond quickly to changing circumstances with strong IT skills and detailed knowledge of TAPS, JUMP, USample, and other scheduling tools/systems.

• NVQ/QCF Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant discipline. A full driving licence and willingness to travel for client, stakeholder, and team support. An understanding of all activities within Water and Scientific Services.

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.