Water Quality Officer - Winsford, United Kingdom - United Utilities

United Utilities

Verified Company

Winsford, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

As a Water Quality Officer, you'll manage and carry out the process of gathering samples for regulatory and operational purposes including the undertaking of field testing activities in accordance with UKAS accreditation.

To carry out all field tests for DWI and EA in compliance for regulation standards.

To take samples and conduct field tests in order for the business to provide evidence to external stakeholders and regulators.

Samples are taken from all points from 'bath to bay' and 'source to tap' to include but not limited to process samples, compliance samples, environmental samples, mains repairs, customer complaints, incidents and events.

On collection samples are transported (either directly or indirectly) to a laboratory for testing.

This is a fundamental role in helping United Utilities Water achieve its sampling commitments.

Job Accountabilities:

To manage planned and reactive work which arises during the working day, to determine which job allocation takes precedent in liaison with the various internal stakeholders for regulatory, non regulatory and ad hoc samples.
To collect Water and Wastewater samples, following predetermined Regulatory, Quality Procedures and Quality Instructions and liaise with external stakeholders. Samples are taken from all points from 'bath to bay' and 'source to tap' to include process samples, compliance samples, environmental samples, mains repairs, customer complaints, external customers, incidents and events and any business projects.
To comply with security protocol and Health and Safety procedures and processes, risk assess and identify the best procedure to sample where predetermined and quality instructions are not applicable.
Perform field tests, for example, (pH, taste and odour, free and total chlorines, temperature, regulatory and operational processes). Take chlorine readings from designated chlorine meters at all treatment works for calibration and verification purposes.
Samples taken by Water Quality Officers following predetermined Quality Instructions according to UKAS, DWI, EA and company requirements.
To create a positive interaction as a customer champion with customers and deliver excellent customer service. To help reduce and avoid customer complaints by creating a positive interaction with customers and delivering excellent customer service.
To interpret and briefly explain the findings of field tests, including visual examination of the water supply, for customers who query the analysis. The sampling is a combination of planned and unplanned (cold call) activities, responding to customer complaints and requires a high degree of social skills to create a good image for the company.
Submit the samples and field data to the Laboratory properly matched and linked to the daily sampling schedule, via appropriate current processes and using technology as required. The data normally being processed via electronic hand held device (PDA). To ensure that samples will meet strict time targets for delivery to the Laboratory.
Operate the sampling vehicle safely so that incidents involving driver error are minimised
Follow clearly defined Analytical Quality Control Instructions to monitor the quality of the testing carried out in the field and reporting exceptional "out of control" results to strict timescales. Verification and maintenance of equipment to minimise out of control results.
To assist in the provision of a full 24 hours per day incidents and emergencies service for sampling and sample transportation to the Laboratory.
Partake in the provision of a weekend and bank holiday sampling service on a contractual basis.
To train and mentor other Water Quality Officers in all aspects of the role, from all sampling and analytical procedures through to keeping and maintaining all UKAS procedures and documents.

Knowledge and Skills:

To be successful in this role you'll need a minimum of NVQ level 2, or 5 GCSE's including Maths, English and Science

You'll also need:

A high degree of social skills for working in a customer orientated environment.
Experienced in dealing with difficult customers whilst being able to provide information and advice to customer queries.
Able to maintain and update UKAS and DWI accreditation standards and practices.
Able to work on their own initiative and have excellent problem solving skills.
Full driving licence.
Basic computer skills to data entry is essential.
Basic knowledge of disinfection principles, water and wastewater treatment.
Maintain relevant and up to date Continuous Professional Development (CPD) records to meet the requirements of DWI regulation 1
Team working and communication skills will be an integral requirement for the role.

Additional Information:

**We need fantastic people to enable us to deliver a great service to the public. We are committed to reaching and recruiting from every community and then supporting employees to achieve t