Technical Water Quality Officer

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.

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.

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.