Wastewater Process Specialist

Passionate about protecting the environment and solving complex challenges?
Join us as a Wastewater Process Specialist and play a hands-on role in improving treatment performance, resolving site issues, and helping our Operations teams meet critical environmental standards.

From field investigations to process optimisation and data-driven problem solving, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact as an environmental custodian while working at the forefront of wastewater operations.

What will you be doing as a Wastewater Process Specialist:

• Become a subject matter expert in wastewater treatment and regulation, using experience to solve problems across different sites & process streams.
• Gathering, analysing and reporting on wastewater treatment data to inform decision-making.
• Comprehensive understanding of all permitting requirements and innovative idea generation to solve non-compliances.
• Engage with internal project teams and external stakeholders to ensure fluid communication, aid information requests, and minimise risk during periods of change.
• Optimisation of site processes to reduce our cost-of-treatment, with a holistic understanding of cost vs benefit.
• Improve flow compliance of sites, analyse data, and fault-find site issues.
• Proactive in learning about new wastewater technologies and disseminating knowledge – coaching colleagues to enhance their understanding.
• Lead regular progress and risk review meetings – being a confident communicator and a capable rapport builder to drive productive working relationships.
• Produce investigative reports and root cause analysis of any sample or pollution incidents, sharing lessons learned to prevent repeat occurrences.
• Be committed to our development programme and driving for Senior Process Specialist performance in the future, with an opportunity for role progression.
• Out-of-hours rota participation, offering advice during event scenarios.

Base Location: Hybrid - Beddington (STW) - CR0 4TH, SE2 9AQ, Hybrid - Hogsmill (STW), HYbrid 

Working Pattern: 36 Hours per week (Mon – Fri)

What should you bring to the role?

To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need are:

• This is a developmental role appropriate for someone with a scientific/engineering degree-level background or similar.
• Experience in fault finding, process improvements and delivering change.
• Curious, self-driven & motivated – willing to learn and develop at pace.
• Confident in holding in-depth, technical conversations and being a great communicator who can relay complex information to non-technical audiences.
• Strong with data handling, processing, reporting, and adapting to IT systems.
• Superb time management skills, able to self-organise and be a true self-starter who is comfortable working alone on site.
• A full UK driving licence is mandatory, with access to your transport and business-use insurance. (Car allowance is provided)

Additional skills and experiences would be great to have/bring:

• Experience in wastewater treatment operations roles would be advantageous.

What’s in it for you?

• Offering a salary of up to £44,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience. Plus, you will get a car allowance on top.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays).
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
• Generous Paternity Leave, including 4 weeks paid and an optional 2 weeks unpaid.
• Enhanced Maternity Leave, 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay.
• Ongoing performance development reviews to help you be your best and identify growth opportunities.

Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job, and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world's water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know. We’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.