Waste Water & Trade Technical Lead

Severn Trent Services; Reading; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Annual bonus up to 15%

Pension scheme

Family friendly policies

Sharesave

Academy training

EV scheme

Volunteering days

Job summary

Severn Trent Services in Reading seeks a Waste Water & Trade Technical Lead to provide technical leadership across wastewater treatment, trade waste, surface water drainage, and networks.

The role ensures safe, compliant operation of wastewater assets, mentors staff, and collaborates with MOD stakeholders and regulators to drive improvements.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in wastewater treatment, network operations, or similar utility engineering.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical authority for wastewater systems across MOD sites and wastewater networks.
• Provide oversight of operational performance, environmental compliance, and maintenance activities.
• Lead on RAMS reviews and standard operating procedures.

Education

NVQ Level 4+ / HNC / HND

Environmental Engineering

Wastewater Operations

Job description

Waste Water & Trade Technical Lead

Severn Trent isn’t all water and wastewater in the Midlands. Severn Trent Services (STS) is a thriving non-regulated business providing outstanding services in the Utilities sector across the UK. We have an ambitious growth plan and are exploring a wealth of exciting strategic opportunities to cement our place as one of the sector leaders.

If you want to do more, and come on this journey, we want you on our team.

We are looking for a Waste Water Technical Lead to provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise across all wastewater treatment, trade waste, surface water drainage, network and compliance activities.

The Wastewater Technical Lead ensures the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of wastewater assets across multiple secure locations, while supporting operational teams and driving continuous improvement.

This role is based in Reading.

Company: Severn Trent Services

Department: Central Support Services

Salary (£): Competitive

Location: Reading

• Act as the technical authority for wastewater systems across MOD sites, including treatment works (WWTWs), trade effluent plants, pumping stations, rising mains, and sewer networks.
• Provide oversight and assurance of operational performance, environmental compliance, and maintenance activities.
• Support delivery of planned and reactive works, ensuring solutions are technically sound, efficient and in line with MOD and regulatory requirements.
• Lead on the review and development of risk assessments, method statements (RAMS), and standard operating procedures.
• Support mobilisation and commissioning of new or upgraded wastewater infrastructure, including review of design documentation and asset handover.
• Work closely with operational teams to troubleshoot persistent issues, improve process efficiency, and reduce pollution risk.
• Collaborate with HSEQ teams to ensure all wastewater operations meet permit conditions, legal obligations, and MOD policies.
• Liaise with MOD stakeholders, regulators (e.g. Environment Agency), and supply chain partners regarding technical queries, incidents, or inspections.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of wastewater technologies, environmental legislation, and industry best practices.
• Provide mentoring and guidance to field staff and junior technicians to build internal technical capability.
• Analysis of wastewater network blockage and flooding incidents, initiating interventions to prevent the likelihood of reoccurrence.
• Accountability for MCERT (Environment Agency (EA) - Monitoring Certification Scheme – flow from Sewage Treatment Works (STW)) site audits, including data download, analysis, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
• Reporting STW and Wastewater network performance to peer groups, business and strategic leadership teams
• Support emergency response planning and out-of-hours escalation as required

In order to succeed in this role, you will bring extensive experience within wastewater treatment, network operations, or a similar utility engineering environment, supported by a strong technical understanding of wastewater processes, environmental risks, and compliance obligations such as discharge consents.

You will be a confident leader with proven decision-making capabilities, particularly when managing complex or high-risk operational situations. Relevant qualifications in Environmental Engineering, Wastewater Operations, Process Engineering, or a related discipline (NVQ Level 4+, HNC/HND, or equivalent) are essential, alongside excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

This role requires a full UK driving licence and the flexibility to work a nine day fortnight when required.

How We’ll Reward And Care For You

It's not just a job; it's a career. We offer benefits that reward great work and award-winning training to help you reach your potential. Plus, you'll contribute to the environment and community too. Here are some of our favourites:

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays (and the ability to buy/ sell up to 5 days per year)
• Annual bonus scheme (of up to 15% of salary dependent on company performance)
• Leading pension scheme – we will double your contribution (up to 15% when you contribute 7.5%)
• Family friendly policies (including, a year off fully paid maternity and adoption leave)
• Sharesave – the chance to buy Severn Trent Plc shares at a discounted rate
• Dedicated training and development with our ‘Academy’
• Electric vehicle scheme and retail offers
• Two volunteering days per year