Catchment Scientist

South East Water UK is hiring a Catchment Scientist to manage and monitor environmental activities related to drinking water quality. This role involves fieldwork and data analysis to identify pollution sources, collaborating with stakeholders, and producing reports. Candidates should have a relevant degree or experience, strong organizational skills, and a clean driving license. The position is based in Arlington, UK, and includes a comprehensive benefits package.
Summary:

The Catchment Scientist role is to perform investigation activities associated with South East Water’s commitments to the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). This is an important pledge for us, setting out how we contribute to improving the natural environment.

To deliver a monitoring programme in the Western region by coordinating and conducting our catchment management monitoring activities in groundwater and river catchments. This means working alongside other water companies, Environment Agency, Natural England and other key stakeholders to help quantify and manage pollution risks within our drinking water production areas and safeguarded zones.

To complete a mixture of field based and desk based activities to capture data, assess and build a picture on the pollution hotspots within your designated catchment. To bring attention to detail along with a highly organised, methodical approach. To work closely with the catchment advisors so that the best solutions and engagement activities are identified.

Main responsibilities:
• To collect samples from South East Water catchments including rivers and boreholes in line with all Water Industry National Environment Programme requirements.
• To download and manage hydrometric data from borehole loggers, rain gauges etc.
• To collate, analyse and interpret monitoring data to accurately determine sources of pollution.
• To represent South East Water at relevant external events and conferences.
• To help to produce reports on our catchment management activities.
• To represent the Environmental Team at meetings.

You'll need:

Skills / Qualifications / Experience
• A relevant environment /scientific focused degree or relevant work experience and an interest in science.
• A good understanding and/or some experience either through work or study of environmental and management and factors contributing to the pollution of drinking water.
• An awareness of water quality standards and regulations.
• Methodical and conscientious in your approach.
• Being highly organised, you’ll be able to respond to change and show flexibility in managing your workload.
• Full, clean driver’s licence.

Employees are required to be flexible and to be prepared to perform duties and other tasks within their capabilities. The nature of our business is such that the contents of any job profile are subject to change from time to time.

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.

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 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.

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:

£27,000 - £30,000