Water Quality Placement Bath 2023

Wessex Water is a regional water and sewerage company, serving a large area of the South West, covering 10,000 square kilometres, including Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, most of Wiltshire and parts of Gloucestershire and Hampshire.

We are recognised by the water industry regulator, Ofwat, as one of the most efficient water and sewerage companies in England and Wales.

Job Purpose

As a Water Quality Placement Student, you will be joining the Environmental Investigation team to assist the Environmental Scientists and Project Managers with scoping and delivering investigations into water quality for the Water Industry National Environment Program. The main duties of this role will include:

• assisting in the design and delivery of environmental monitoring for the company’s environmental investigations, focusing on (but not limited to) those with a water quality driver
• undertaking in-field monitoring, including water quality sampling, the installation and maintenance of water quality monitoring instruments, assisting with river flow and groundwater level monitoring, and ecological monitoring, including macroinvertebrate and sediment sampling, habitat, and fish surveys
• quality assurance and analysis of existing data and data collected in the field and reporting and results of work to the Environmental Scientist and wider team
• data analysis of water quality data while sharing findings with the water quality team
• the preparation of reports to be included as part of WINEP output, as well as obtaining permission for access onto private land.

What do I need?

To be successful in this role you will be studying towards a BSc in a science discipline. You will be well organised, able to manage and prioritise your own workload and be comfortable lone working safely across office and in the field environments.

You will also hold IT skills including word processing and spreadsheets. If you have the following it would be preferable but not essential:

• an understanding of the environmental issues of water abstraction, hydrology, pollution, conservation and environmental legislation
• experience in data analysis and the use of R or Python as a method of statistical analysis
• experience using ArcMap or an equivalent GIS program.

You don’t need any prior knowledge of the water industry, water quality investigations or many of the technical skills necessary, as full training will be given throughout the course of the placement, however, a willingness to learn and engage in these is essential.

In addition to the above, due to the nature of the role you will need to hold a valid driving licence and have the ability to swim.

Interview

You will be required to attend an interview before receiving an offer. The purpose of this interview will be to get to know you while determining a rough plan for your placement year.

At the interview you will be given an overview of the company, give a 10-minute presentation on something you are passionate about, complete a short task on planning a water quality investigation, and take part in a Q&A session. There will be an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. The initial interview will last approximately one hour; you may be called for a further interview.

Benefits 

• Pension – up to 20% combined contribution.
• 25 days’ holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• Opportunity to buy and sell up to five days’ holiday.
• Health benefits package.
• Life assurance (up to four times your salary).
• Electric vehicle salary exchange.
• Flexible working.
• Cashback and discounts from over 1,200 retailers.
• Paid volunteering day.
• Enhanced family leave.
• Interactive health and wellbeing platform.
• Support from mental health first aiders.
• £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us.

What will you get from us?

Our people tell us Wessex Water is a great place to work, and they stay with us! We are proud of how we support development and career progression. We have a wealth of both financial and non-financial benefits to offer our people and are committed to ensuring we provide an environment that supports health and wellbeing and flexible working.

We continue to promote diversity and inclusion. With that in mind, we welcome all applicants.

We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer. Applicants who declare they have a disability or have previously served with the Armed Forces, and meet the minimum requirements for the job, will automatically be invited for an interview.

Please let us know if you require any additional support or adjustments to assist you in starting your journey with Wessex Water.

If you have what it takes to join this award-winning business and want to be part of our exciting journey and share in that success, then please get in contact with us to find out more.

Sound interesting? Please click APPLY to progress to the next step.

Additional Information

We are an equal opportunities employer. You must be able to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK and proof of skills and qualifications gained. Appointment of successful applicant/s will also be subject to receiving suitable references and basic (or where job applicable) other criminal disclosure checks.

We respect and value everyone’s contribution. Wessex Water is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to providing an environment that supports and encourages the many skills, interests, backgrounds and experiences that people from different social groups can bring. We strive to provide a workplace which is free from discrimination, harassment and bullying, and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

If you have a medical condition, disability or learning difficulty which could impact on your ability to apply or take part in the recruitment process, please email careers@wessexwater.co.uk. We are dedicated to treating all existing and prospective colleagues fairly and will do everything we can to support you during the application and selection process.