Wastewater Production Operator

Pertemps Scotland Temps; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Northumbrian Water is hiring a Wastewater Production Operator for a 6‑month contract based at Stressholme, Darlington. The role supports frontline operations to ensure safe, compliant wastewater treatment and robust environmental protection across the region.

You will operate and maintain plant assets, interpret data, and use SCADA to optimise performance. A UK driving licence is required for site-to-site travel; the role involves a Monday–Friday schedule with a competitive hourly rate.

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to health, safety and environmental standards.
• Valid UK driving licence required for travel between sites.
• Experience or understanding of operating and maintaining process plant or industrial assets.
• Ability to interpret operational data and respond appropriately.
• Confidence using control systems and basic IT applications.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain wastewater treatment assets in line with regulatory requirements and company standards.
• Optimise plant assets usage (chemicals, energy, resources) for efficient operations.
• Carry out basic effluent and mixed liquor analysis and implement changes as required.
• Use and interrogate SCADA to fault-find, monitor performance and optimise plant utilisation.
• Perform basic instrument calibration and escalate issues as needed.
• Carry out basic fault finding on plant and equipment and escalate appropriately.
• Undertake other duties as requested by line management.

Skills

Health & safety

Driving licence

Process plant operations

SCADA familiarity

Data interpretation

Instrument calibration

Teamwork

Communication

Tools

SCADA system

Job description

Wastewater Production Operator

Stressholme, Darlington
6 Month contract to start at the beginning of October
£14.62 per hour
Monday-Friday

We are currently recruiting for a Wastewater Production Operator to join Northumbrian Water on a 6 month contract based in Stressholme.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a vital front line team responsible for the safe and efficient operation of wastewater treatment works, helping to protect the environment and support essential water services across the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain works assets in accordance with regulatory requirements and company standards to ensure ongoing compliance
• Optimise the use of plant assets, including chemicals, energy, and other resources, to achieve efficient operations.
• Carry out basic effluent and mixed liquor analysis, interpret results, and implement operational changes as required.
• Effectively use and interrogate the SCADA system to fault-find, monitor performance, and optimise plant utilisation.
• Perform basic instrument calibration in line with procedures.
• Undertake basic fault finding on plant and equipment and elevate issues where necessary.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by line management in line with operational requirements.

What we’re looking for

• A strong commitment to health, safety, and environmental standards.
• A valid UK driving licence is required for travel between sites.
• Experience or understanding of operating and maintaining process plant or industrial assets.
• Ability to interpret operational data and respond appropriately.
• Confidence using control systems and basic IT applications.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Follow all health, safety, and environmental policies and procedures at all times.