River Ranger Team Leader

Job Description

The Role

Step into a rewarding leadership role as a Manchester River Ranger Team Leader, where you will play a pivotal role in protecting and enhancing our local river environments.

Our Manchester based River Rangers are currently a team of 4 working out of Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works and cover our Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire Counties to protect, monitor and improve river health. The River Ranger role focuses on practical action, community engagement and identification of issues affecting waterways.

In this position, you will lead and inspire the Manchester based River Rangers, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality operational delivery every day.

You will coordinate and prioritise River Ranger support to minimise environmental impact across river catchments, while working collaboratively with wastewater teams, regulators, community partners and stakeholders to further develop and embed this service.

This is a varied and meaningful role where your ability to lead a team, build relationships, manage risk, and respond to both planned and reactive challenges will directly contribute to improving environmental outcomes and safeguarding water systems for the communities we serve.

What you’ll be doing:

In this role, you will supervise, coach and develop a team of River Rangers. You will lead Health & Safety briefings, champion a strong safety culture, and take accountability for the team’s safety performance, including inspections and maintenance of vehicles, tools, equipment and PPE. You will also be responsible for:

• Ensuring the River Ranger training plan is delivered, maintaining valid Health & Safety certifications, and supporting continuous development through regular reviews and engagement
• Driving high levels of engagement and performance within the team, using data and regular interaction to monitor and improve delivery
• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to identify, escalate and resolve issues while maximising operational efficiency
• Prioritising and coordinating sewer litter clearance following storm spills across river catchments
• Providing a prompt and effective response to operational incidents, catchment events and emergencies when called upon
• Inspecting assets, identifying issues, and clearly esclating required remedial actions
• Collecting and reporting weekly performance data to support operational integration
• Undertaking physically demanding work in a dynamic outdoor environment, including exposure to environmental hazards

• Work with County based wastewater operational teams and the Cumbria based River Ranger team to support the development and embedment of United Utilities’ River Ranger service

• Communicating effectively with internal teams and external partners to support activities that enhance company reputation
• Representing United Utilities at meetings with community groups and stakeholders, ensuring positive engagement and protection of the company’s interests

This role may not be eligible for the visa sponsorship

What we’re looking for:

To succeed in this role, you will ideally bring previous supervisory or line management experience, alongside a proactive and adaptable approach to work. You will also have:

• A flexible and organised approach to managing a varied workload
• Strong planning and coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
• The confidence to adapt quickly in response to reactive or emergency situations
• High levels of resilience and the ability to manage competing priorities
• A strong commitment to Health & Safety policies and best practices
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to colleagues, customers and senior leaders
• Strong interpersonal skills, with experience managing challenging situations and building effective working relationships
• Ability to swim

What we offer:

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Salary - £51,233
Work Type - Onsite
Job Location - Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works, Trafford Way, Urmston, Manchester, M17 8DD
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.