Trainee Field Crew Leader

SOCOTEC UK & Ireland; Leeds; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Electric car scheme

Employee recognition programmes

Exclusive retail discounts

Employee assistance programmes

Enhanced company pension

Disability Confident accreditation

Job summary

SOCOTEC UK & Ireland is seeking a Trainee Field Crew Leader based in Leeds to lead and support Water Quality Monitoring field operations across the UK. You will supervise Field Crew Operatives, ensure installations, calibrations, maintenance and data capture meet our high standards.

Travel across the UK is common; night or away-from-home shifts may be required. The role emphasises safety, teamwork and delivering accurate data to protect water quality and infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Experience in water quality monitoring fieldwork.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements and RAMS.
• Ability to work independently in the field and follow procedures.
• Willingness to travel across the UK and work away from home.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Water Quality Field Crew Operatives during site-based monitoring.
• Lead inspections, installations, maintenance, and data retrieval.
• Ensure all fieldwork meets Health & Safety procedures and RAMS.
• Act as on-site lead coordinating daily activities with Project Managers.
• Mentor and develop field crew members; identify training needs.
• Manage assets, vehicles, PPE, and equipment.
• Document sites records and timesheets accurately and on time.
• Represent SOCOTEC UK professionally with clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Health & Safety

Communication

Organisation

Travel

Driving Licence

Job description

About Monitoring and Surveying

SOCOTEC’s Monitoring and Surveying teams deliver market‑leading monitoring, surveying and data collection services across the UK. With over 30 years of experience, we support major infrastructure, construction, utilities and environmental projects through land and utility surveying, gas and asset surveys, flow and water quality monitoring, and advanced geotechnical and structural monitoring. Using industry‑leading technology and real‑time data, we help clients reduce risk, protect critical assets and make safe, informed decisions. Our people‑focused, can‑do culture puts safety, quality and customer excellence at the heart of everything we do.

What’s in it for you?

Your expertise deserves recognition. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including 25 days holiday (with the option to buy more), an electric car scheme (where applicable), employee recognition programmes, family‑friendly support, exclusive retail discounts, employee assistance programmes, and an enhanced company pension. SOCOTEC UK & Ireland are proud to be Disability Confident accredited.

Trainee Field Crew Leader – Leeds

Based in Leeds, we are looking to recruit a Trainee Field Crew Leader within Water Quality Monitoring. The purpose of this role is to lead, supervise and support Field Crew Operatives on water quality monitoring projects across the UK, ensuring installations, calibrations, maintenance, data collection and associated field tasks are carried out safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards, in line with company procedures, health & safety requirements and project plans.

The work you do will contribute to improving our environment; you will be helping water companies to manage their sewer networks, and this will help to prevent flooding, reduce pollution and improve the health of rivers and bathing waters.

The tasks you will undertake will include (but are not limited to):

• Supervising and supporting Water Quality Field Crew Operatives during site‑based monitoring activities
• Leading water quality inspections, installations, maintenance, removals and data retrieval activities
• Ensuring all fieldwork is carried out safely and in full compliance with Health & Safety procedures, RAMS and work instructions
• Acting as the on‑site lead, coordinating daily activities and maintaining communication with Project Managers and Schedulers
• Mentoring, training and developing field crew members, identifying skills gaps and training needs
• Completing and overseeing project documentation, site records and timesheets accurately and on time
• Managing company assets including vehicles, PPE, tools and water quality monitoring equipment
• Reporting incidents, near misses and defective equipment in line with company procedures
• Representing SOCOTEC UK professionally with clients, stakeholders and colleagues at all times

Travel across the UK is very common. Candidates must be open to working away from home during the week and accommodate night or evening shifts as needed.

To be successful in this role, you will be able to demonstrate:

• Proven experience in water quality monitoring fieldwork, including use of monitoring equipment
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with the ability to motivate and support field‑based teams
• A thorough understanding of Health & Safety requirements, RAMS and safe systems of work
• The ability to work independently in the field while following detailed procedures and project plans
• Strong organisational skills, with attention to detail in documentation and reporting
• Effective communication skills and the ability to coordinate with internal teams
• A proactive, flexible approach to work, including travel and varied working environments
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to work across multiple sites

It is desirable, that you also have some or all of the following:

• Previous experience in a supervisory or team leader role within field operations
• Additional Health & Safety qualifications (e.g. First Aid, Confined Space Entry)
• Experience mentoring or training junior or trainee field staff
• Strong problem‑solving skills related to water quality monitoring equipment
• Familiarity with electronic data capture and asset tracking systems