Water Treatment Process Scientist

Severn Trent; Shrewsbury; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus scheme

Company vehicle/car allowance

28 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension scheme

Sharesave

Training and development

Electric vehicle scheme

Volunteer days

Job summary

Severn Trent is recruiting a Water Treatment Process Scientist on a 12-month fixed-term contract based at our Trimpley site in Shropshire. You will support surface water treatment operations across a portfolio of works, combining hands-on site work with office-based analysis and reporting to improve performance and safety.

You will lead investigations into water-quality events, optimise processes for chemical and energy efficiency, complete DWSP assessments, produce recommendations, and

Qualifications

• Operational or technical experience in a process environment
• Logical, analytical mindset for interpreting data
• Ability to challenge decisions constructively and influence outcomes
• Excellent communication across stakeholders
• Ability to prioritise and deliver in a fast-paced environment
• Full UK Driving Licence

Responsibilities

• Review treatment works performance using operational data and trends
• Lead investigations into water quality events and drive corrective actions
• Support optimization of treatment processes for chemical and energy efficiency
• Complete Drinking Water Safety Plan assessments and reduce risk
• Produce clear reports and practical recommendations to improve site performance
• Support capital investment and improvement programmes with Process Design Engineers
• Assist commissioning and integration of new or upgraded assets
• Support sites to maintain compliance and improve resilience
• Share best practice and develop capability across the business
• Coordinate incident response and recovery activities when needed

Skills

Practical problem solving

Analytical mindset

Data interpretation

Stakeholder communication

Driving licence

Fast-paced delivery

Education

STEM qualifications desirable

Tools

SAP

SCADA

Cognos

QUIS

Job description

We are currently recruiting for a Water Treatment Process Scientist on a 12 month fixed term contract based at our Trimpley site in Shropshire. You'll play a key role in our Surface Water Treatment Process team, providing practical, site-based support across a portfolio of treatment works. You'll work closely with operational teams to understand day-to-day process performance, identify risks and put practical improvements into action, helping us consistently deliver safe, high-quality water to our customers. This is a hands‑on operational role with regular time spent at treatment works, working alongside site teams to investigate issues, challenge ways of working to improve processes and performance mixed with some office‑based analysis and reporting. Regular travel between sites will be required (car allowance provided), and you will participate in a paid out‑of‑hours standby rota. Sound like you? Then read on…

Some of your key accountabilities will include:

• Reviewing and challenging treatment works performance using operational data and trends
• Leading investigations into water quality events, identifying root causes and driving corrective actions
• Supporting optimisation of treatment processes to improve chemical and energy efficiency
• Completing Drinking Water Safety Plan (DWSP) assessments and reducing risk
• Producing clear reports and practical recommendations that help improve site performance
• Contributing to capital investment and improvement programmes alongside Process Design Engineers
• Supporting commissioning and integration of new or upgraded assets
• Supporting sites to maintain compliance and improve resilience
• Sharing best practice, lessons learned, and developing capability across the business

You’ll also play a key role in incident response and recovery, helping coordinate technical actions and restoring performance safely and efficiently.

We're looking for a practical problem solver who's not afraid to get stuck in and challenge the current ways of working with the ability to strongly influence the wider team when implementing change. You'll take ownership investigating problems, using operational information to make sound decisions and follow improvements through to completion. Formal STEM qualifications are desirable but not essential where you can demonstrate strong relevant operational or technical experience, curiosity, good judgement and clear communication.

In order to succeed in this role, it is expected that you will have:

• Practical experience in a relevant operational, technical or process environment
• A logical, analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex data
• Confidence to challenge decisions constructively and influence outcomes
• Excellent communication skills across a range of stakeholders
• The ability to prioritise and deliver in a fast-paced operational environment
• A full UK Driving License

It would be great if you also have:

• Experience in process optimisation, commissioning, or operational support
• Knowledge of systems such as SAP, SCADA/ESCADA, Cognos, QUIS
• Experience in root cause analysis and incident management
• Understanding of hydraulics or groundwater processes (role dependent)

At Severn Trent, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We're in the top 5% of utility companies worldwide for employee engagement, and we're equally proud of our strong Glassdoor score - reflecting how much our people love working here.

Join us to make a positive impact on the environment and our communities, while being valued and supported in a truly inclusive workplace.

Skills and experience are important, but character, positivity, and a caring attitude matter too. We welcome and celebrate diverse individuals, knowing they help us better serve our communities. We seek people who get involved, want to be part of something bigger, and make a difference because they care.

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:

• 28 days holiday + bank holidays (and the ability to buy/ sell up to 5 days per year)
• Annual bonus scheme (of up to £2,250, which is subject to eligibility)
• Company vehicle/car allowance (of £400 per month)
• Family-friendly policies (including a year off fully paid maternity and adoption leave)
• Leading pension scheme - we will double your contribution (up to 15% when you contribute 7.5%)
• 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 paid volunteering days per year