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United Utilities

Technical Water Quality Officer

Salary:  £38,346 per annum
Location flexibility:  3 office days / week – 3 days in the office, 2 days from home
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Job Description

Salary - £38346
Work Type - Onsite
Job Location - White Bull Water Treatment Works, Preston Road, Alston, Longridge, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 3BL
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.

Benefits

  • 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

The Role

  • Oversees long- and short-term planning for calibration, validation, verification, and documentation of accredited sampling activities to maintain UKAS accreditation.
  • Acts as the main focal point for Water Quality Team, responsible for training and auditing officers in line with UKAS, ISO17025, DWTS, Mcerts, and other regulatory standards.
  • Provides key planning and quality support across Water and Scientific Services, assisting internal and external clients and supporting the Water Quality Officer Team Leader.
  • Manages and conducts sample collection and field tests for regulatory and operational purposes, ensuring compliance with DWI and EA standards.
  • Collects samples from diverse sources (“bath to bay” and “source to tap”) for compliance, environmental monitoring, incidents, and customer complaints, helping United Utilities meet its sampling commitments.

What You Will Be Doing:

  • Acts as local expert for USample, TAPS, and scheduling systems, managing modifications and ensuring seamless sampling operations; provides business continuity during system failures.
  • Prepares and distributes sample sheets and labels when systems are unavailable, ensuring compliance with Water Regulations, DWTS, OSM, Mcerts, and ISO 5667.
  • Maintains quality systems for sample planning and scheduling to achieve and sustain UKAS and other regulatory accreditations; champions quality control and continuous improvement.
  • Coordinates maintenance and repair of field testing equipment (e.g., pH meters, Chlorometers, Turbidity meters, fridges) and manages daily stock levels for Water Quality Officers.
  • Oversees courier contractor performance locally, promotes best practice sharing, and drives continuous improvement within Water and Scientific Services.

What We Are Looking For:

  • Able to undertake all scheduling tasks for regulatory, operational, and customer complaint sampling. Ensure Water Quality Officers’ skills and availability are kept up to date for use by USample and other associated scheduling tools.
  • Maintain relevant and up-to-date Continuous Professional Development (CPD) records to meet the requirements of DWI Regulation 16. Good understanding of ISO 17025, Mcerts, DWTS, ISO 5667, UWWTD, and all other related regulatory requirements.
  • Proficient auditor for undertaking audits of Water Quality Officers and Technical Water Quality Officers in accordance with UKAS accreditation, DWTS, and Mcerts. Scientifically and technically adept with recent experience of field-testing activities including pH and chlorine meter validations.
  • Thorough understanding of Health and Safety within the workplace as applied to Water Quality roles. Systematic and accurate, able to respond quickly to changing circumstances with strong IT skills and detailed knowledge of TAPS, JUMP, USample, and other scheduling tools/systems.
  • NVQ/QCF Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant discipline. A full driving licence and willingness to travel for client, stakeholder, and team support. An understanding of all activities within Water and Scientific Services.

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.

Apply

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#2 BEST EMPLOYEE WELLBEING

Working at United Utilities

3 office days / week – 3 days in the office, 2 days from home

A little flex time

Company benefits

26 days annual leave + bank holidays
Annual bonus – Bonus levels vary depending on your role grade
Buy or sell annual leave – Buy or sell up to 5 days per year
Death in service – covered for 4 times pensionable earnings
Cinema discounts
Employee recognition scheme – Colleague led recognition scheme with monthly winners
Cycle to work scheme
Dental coverage
Collaboration spaces
Electric Car Salary Sacrifice
Employee assistance programme
Enhanced maternity leave – Up to 26 weeks leave at full pay
Enhanced pension match/contribution – Up to 21% combined contributions
Enhanced sick days
Ergonomic workstations
Faith rooms
Family health insurance
Further education support – Ongoing learning opportunities through apprenticeships and vocational training
Gym membership – On-site gym at our head office & discounts on local gyms for those not based there
Health cash plan
Health insurance
In house training
Mental health days – 1 wellbeing day per year (in addition to annual leave)
Mental health first aiders
Compassionate leave
Enhanced paternity leave – Up to 4 weeks leave at full pay
Mental health platform access – Offering mental health consultations, health checks, digital fitness resources, and wellbeing support.
On-site gym
Open to compressed hours
Open to part time work for some roles
Adoption leave
Private GP service – via our virtual GP - available to you and your loved ones
Professional subscriptions
Referral bonus – of £500
Neonatal leave
Reservist leave – Reservists/Army Reserve with 6 months service are entitled to 10 days paid leave per year to attend the annual training camp.
Restaurant discounts
Secure on-site parking
Sensory-Friendly Setup
Shared parental leave
Will writing
Carer’s leave
On-site childcare – Only at our head office
Income protection
Apply

United Utilities

Environment Permitting Lead

£51,233 per annum

Warrington, UK

Company employees:

7,500

Gender diversity (m:f):

65:35

Hiring in countries

United Kingdom

Office Locations