Process Scientist

Closing Date

Job Title: Process Scientist (Wastewater) 

Job Type: Permanent  

Hours: 37 

Salary: £34,100 

Location: This is a Hybrid role based around Falmer, Uckfield, Tonbridge & Hastings

The role of the Process Scientist is to be the technical experts that drive Wastewater compliance at Southern Water, mitigating the risk of future compliance breaches. 

You will investigate pollution incidents at Wastewater Treatment Works and collaborate with operators to protect the environment and liaise with field performance managers, area operational managers and the pollution team to minimise and prevent any future pollutions. 

The role of the Process Scientist is to review and anticipate compliance risks, protect the environment and drive capex investment at the Wastewater Treatment Works.  

 
The successful candidate will provide technical support on all aspects of wastewater, sludge treatment, waste management and R&D and is responsible for optimisation of chemicals, power, manpower whilst ensuring best possible compliance. 

This role comes with the requirement to be part of a standby rota, and you will also need a clean driving license and access to a vehicle. 

Accountabilities: 

• To provide technical advice to Operations on the operation of Wastewater Treatment processes including setting individual site Operating Plans, Site Process Activity Manual, monitoring of compliance, power and chemical costs, investigating and advising of corrective actions 

• To carry out Pollution investigations and inform stakeholders the outcome of the investigations and liaise with EA 

• To carry out professional reviews of exceptional data and wastewater trends, taking appropriate action as required, to ensure any process problems/possible breaches and pre-empted and to proactively highlight early warning triggers to possible compliance breaches. 

• To carry out full investigations with root, cause, analysis in the case of a breach, site investigation report or process audit; making recommendations and following up on any scientific actions required and flagging all other issues to the manager 

• To analyse samples and make recommendations as to solutions to mitigate risks and issues 

• To review UV data for EA submission 

• To carry out Critical and Risk site visit reports and feed recommendations to Area Operational Managers for decisions on action 

• To identify key capital investment requirements for Southern Water in order to ensure that Wastewater Treatment works remain compliant and so are a key role in ensuring Southern Water meets its serviceability requirements and targets. Attend HAZOP and ALM meetings for capital schemes 

• To provide technical and procedural expertise to on-site contractors and be an integral part of a Capital Scheme or remedial work on any Southern Water wastewater treatment works and to be responsible for ensuring the site remains compliant whilst work is implemented and carried out by Contractors.  Attend commissioning meetings 

• To review and advise on Operator schedules and Tankering 

• To carry out yearly Descriptive Site Assessments according to the EA procedures and provide report 

• To train plant operators on theory or practice of technical aspects of plant and laboratory processes to ensure they have the knowledge and understanding to perform their role effectively 

Skills and Competencies: 

Technical:  

• Requires an understanding of relevant area of specialism (wastewater, sludge, R&D, trade and waste) 

Investigative skills: 

• Scientific testing skills incorporating the use of specialist equipment and procedures 

• Experienced user of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint 

• Ability to utilise company specific information systems (e.g. Pi Process Book, process management system) 

Business Skills: 

• To train plant operators on theory or practice of technical aspects of plant and laboratory processes to ensure they have the knowledge and understanding to perform their role effectively. 

Personal and Interpersonal Skills: 

• Good communication skills – must be able to translate technical requirements into layman’s terms primarily for plant operators but also for other parts of the business as required 

• Ability to influence and persuade others 

Qualifications: 

A Levels, HND or first degree in relevant scientific or engineering discipline 

Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role? 
 
Privacy Statement: 
 
Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your manager is aware of your application. 
 
All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered