Water Treatment Process Scientist

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.

If you want to do more, because you care, we want you on our team.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

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.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

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)

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

LET’S GO

We can't wait to hear from you! Have an updated CV ready and spare five minutes to apply. We'll let you know the outcome after the closing date, so keep an eye on your phone and emails.