Technical Specialist

We are looking for a Technical Specialist to join us at Thames Water. This is a full-time permanent position.

The Technical Specialist works within the operations team in the Chilterns area of East Thames Valley Water Production area as part of the ETV Technical Team, liaising with our Capital Delivery colleagues and consultants to deliver our ambitious Capex Programmes for AMP8.

You will contribute to writing and reviewing project briefs, gathering technical information, and having engineering input into key projects on site.

You will need to understand the impact of project work on the treatment process, coordinate the delivery of the work on-site and ensure all work is completed in a ‘clean’ manner by Drinking Water Standards and Regulations.

Your role will also be health and safety focussed including the review of contractor RAMS, issue of TWOSAs and other permits, as well as signing off new assets and accepting project handovers to operations.

• Car allowance on top of basic salary.
• 36 hours per week Monday-Friday 07:30 -15:30.
• Your base will be at Bourne End WTW, but the job will cover several Capital Delivery schemes within the Chilterns area of Water Production.

 What you'll be doing as a Technical Specialist 

• Provide site technical information about existing asset conditions and functionality.
• Represent the local team at relevant solution and design meetings with Capital Delivery and consultants, ensuring the local site team has the best possible outcomes. Participate in HAZOP/OPMAN/SWIFTs as required. Check and review team outputs, assuring compliance with our Scope Objectives, Asset Standards, Legislation, Construction Design Management Regulations and Health, Safety, and Welfare. Ensure project objectives are met and best-value solutions are achieved. Additionally, proactively analyse and address project risks to minimise both programme and project delivery costs.
• Owning the full life cycle of projects including resource planning, WQ Risk Assessment and participating in the outage planning process. Ensure the relevant permits and risk assessments are in place and that enabling activities have been completed before projects can begin.
• Provide health and safety support to the team through periodic audits, the issuance of health and safety permits and authorisations for key works on site, reporting safety observations, and assisting with safety resolution.
• Oversee the activities of multi-disciplinary project teams on site, ensuring adherence to project delivery procedures.
• Keep local operational teams informed of programme progress and any additional resource requirements.
• Responsible for capturing any extra resource costs and recharging them as appropriate back to the project or flagging up to the site manager any purely OPEX costs.
• Support to integrate the new solution into the overall site process. Ensure all relevant site technical information (drawings, plans, O&M, etc) is provided and handed over for final review and approval. Ensure follow-up integration of new assets and their performance until the end of the defect period.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to the team, support development and learning, fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and excellence.

 What should you bring to the role?

• Have relevant experience in operations, maintenance and/or engineering (design and construction) in the Water/Utilities industry. Ideally a formal engineering qualification and/or strong drinking water treatment process competence.
• Good understanding of Health & Safety in an industrial and construction environment. Ideally NEBOSH / IOSH H&S Qualification.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements related to water treatment facilities, and previous experience with reverse osmosis operation and/or designing, is required.
• Good understanding of the principles of project delivery in process industries.
• Proactive approach and excellent problem-solving abilities, with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate. Effectively with various stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrates commercial acumen and financial awareness, with the ability to make informed business decisions.
• Fully competent at using the appropriate company IT Systems and Office Software.
• Due to the nature of the role a FULL UK driving licence is required.

 What’s in it for you?

• Offering a salary of up to £53,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Car Allowance.
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• GymPass, a free fitness plan and access to several well-being apps for you and up to three family members as well as discounted plans nationwide!
• Cycle to work scheme, always on and up to £3k, save money, get fit and help protect the environment.
• WeCare, a variety of health and wellbeing services for you and your family including up to 10 specialist counselling sessions, 24/7 access to a virtual GP, get fit programmes and access to a nutritionist.
• Benefits on Tap, access to discounts, cashback and instant vouchers.
• 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.
• Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

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 fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, 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 of 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.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, 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, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.
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.