Senior Drinking Water Safety Scientist

If you have a scientific and analytical mindset and are passionate about the entire water supply process, from catchment to consumer, a senior role as a Senior Drinking Water Safety Scientist could be an ideal fit for you.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Drinking Water Safety Scientist to join a Water Risk Team. In this role, you will support daily and regulatory tasks by maintaining and developing Water Safety Plans and assessing water quality risks from catchment to consumer. Our Drinking Water Safety Plans have been developed in accordance with the World Health Organisations Water Safety Plan Manual 2023. This diverse role involves both office work and field visits to various sites. You will regularly interact with staff from different teams, especially operational ones.

Reporting to the Water Risk Manager, your responsibilities include reviewing water quality hazards, conducting site visits and inspections, auditing assets, analysing water sample data, evaluating risk controls, tracking and reviewing risks, and promoting water quality awareness and promoting best practice across the business.

What will you be doing

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the Companies Drinking Water Safety Plan (DWSP) system for all assets, ensuring risk scores and statuses are kept up to date.
• Prepare reports for monthly Regulation 28 submissions to DWI and the annual submission.
• Lead in preparing and conducting site audits required by Regulation 27 and carry out focused investigations to evaluate water quality risks.
• Contribute to internal DWSP risk status reports, respond to data requests from inset companies (NAVs), and assist in drafting responses to the DWI and addressing related notices and recommendations.
• Help develop, review, and maintain DWSP policies, procedures, standards, and best practices, continually improving and refining the system by identifying efficiencies and ensuring the methodology is up to date.
• Liaise with colleagues for updates on risk mitigation controls and support the Water Risk Manager in identifying and assessing new or emerging risks to water supply, quality, and sufficiency.

Skills & Competencies

• Ability to understand and make decisions using scientific data and literature.
• Strong report writing skills, with the ability to translate and summarise technical information for communication with the Water Risk team, Water Quality, and the wider business.
• Exceptional record-keeping skills to maintain audit trails.
• Strong IT skills, particularly in Excel, Power BI, and GIS mapping systems.
• Effective planning and prioritisation skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.

Qualifications & Experience

• BSc (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g., Earth-related or Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Biology).
• Strong scientific and technical knowledge, skills, and experience.
• Knowledge of regulation 27 and 28 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016
• Strong understanding of water quality risk across all stages of the water supply chain and the ability to apply this to the risk assessment process.
• Experience in environmental and water science.
• Understanding of catchment hydrology, land use impacts on water sources, and the interconnectivity of water supply system assets from catchment to consumer.
• Knowledge of water treatment processes, water distribution networks, or similar industrial processes.
• Understanding of the regulatory framework associated with the water industry and water fittings regulations.
• Awareness and understanding of Health and Safety.
• Full valid UK driving licence.

Benefits:

• Non-contractual bonus related to company performance of up to 6% of basic salary
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• A generous pension scheme in which company will contribute up to 15%
• Enhanced Family Friendly Leave - Enhanced Company maternity, adoption, and paternity leave and pay
• The life assurance scheme provides a death in service lump sum benefit of 4 times pensionable salary
• Private Medical Insurance and Employee Assistance
• Perks: Access discounts at thousands of retailers, plus the Electric Vehicle Scheme (eligible after one year of service), Cycle to Work Scheme, Health Cash Plan, and more