Water Network Technician (Nights) - Sussex

South East Water; Lewes; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company in the United Kingdom is seeking a Leakage Detection Operative for a night shift role. The ideal candidate will have strong customer service skills and a clean driving license. Responsibilities include investigating leaks, performing essential network tasks, and ensuring data accuracy. A focus on minimal supervision and remote working conditions is essential. This position offers an appealing salary package and various benefits.

Benefits

Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme

5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays

Flexible annual leave policy

Paid volunteering days

Cycle to work scheme

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing related benefits

Qualifications

• Full, clean manual driving license is required.
• Candidates should show good numeracy and literacy skills.
• Ability to work effectively alone at night, in all weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and locate hidden leaks using specialized equipment.
• Execute planned leakage detection and validation work.
• Perform essential network activities such as mains shutdowns.

Skills

Customer Service Skills

Data Entry

Leakage Detection Techniques

Manual Driving License

Working Alone

Education

Good standard of secondary education

Tools

GIS

Maximo

Correlators

Job description

Would you like to use your experience to make a big impact on our network’s performance, all while working a defined night shift pattern and the opportunity to gain a formal qualification?

This isn’t just a job; it’s a career path. In this hands on role, you’ll gain skills for life, solve complex problems, and be supported by our on-the-job training program.

We’re creating a dedicated night shift where you’ll work between the hours of 10 pm and 8 am on a 4 on 4 off work pattern. We’ll need you to work daytime hours at the start of your employment to complete your induction training.

This is a crucial role where you’ll learn to use advanced equipment to perform planned leakage detection activities and locate hidden leaks to minimise water loss. Working at night allows for highly focused, autonomous work with minimal disruption, contributing directly to our efficiency and environmental targets. The role would also include supporting the team during incidents causing interruptions to customers’ water supply.

Join us and apply your skills to challenging and vital network projects. We’re offering the investment in training and the career visibility you need to build skills for life.

Main Responsibilities

• Your primary focus will be on leakage reduction and network optimisation.
• Investigate and locate hidden leaks using specialised equipment (like correlators) and leakage detection techniques (like step testing).
• Execute planned leakage detection, validation, and survey work to achieve and maintain our leakage reduction goals.
• Perform essential network activities such as mains shutdowns, completing risk assessments and interruption reports.
• Maintain and repair network leakage assets, such as pressure reducing valves, district meters, and data logging equipment.
• Experience in handling customer complaints or queries.

What You’ll Need

• We’re looking for driven individuals who can work effectively at night.
• A full, clean manual driving licence.
• A good standard of secondary education, showing good numeracy and literacy skills.
• Strong Customer Service Skills.
• The essential ability to work effectively alone with minimal supervision at night, often outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Proficiency in accessing, data entry, and understanding of work management systems such as GIS.
• Undertake network validation, pressure zonal tests and flow tests to ensure the integrity of District Metered Areas (DMAs).
• Accurately collect, record, or correct network asset data and details of all work completed, utilising systems like Maximo and GIS.
• Coordinate with internal staff (Distribution, Leakage, Production) on night team activities and leak repairs.
• Conduct flushing activity and perform water sampling in line with regulatory guidelines.

Interview Process

We will be holding assessment/interview days between the hours of 09:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs between 25th November to early December.

We Want To Be The Water Company People Want To Be Supplied By And Want To Work For

We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise that creativity comes from diversity, not similarity. That’s why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

Benefits Package

• Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
• Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Life assurance.
• Wellbeing related benefits.

What Can You Expect From Your Recruitment?

• To apply for this position, please submit your CV on our career’s website.
• It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water.
• Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks.

If This Sounds Like The Opportunity You’ve Been Looking For, Apply Now!

South East Water kindly asks that recruitment agencies refrain from submitting CVs to our employees or associates without explicit invitation from our HR Resourcing team. CVs sent on a speculative basis will not be acknowledged and will not assume any responsibility for fees or commissions in the event that we hire a candidate who applied directly or subsequently introduced by an instructed agency.

Compensation Package

£36,671 – £46,916 depending on experience. This includes a 25% shift allowance for night work.