Water Supply Technical Specialist

Position type: Fixed-Term Contract (2 years)

Job reference: 349807

No. Vacancies: 2

Location: Birmingham (B5 4UA) or London (E14 4HD) based with hybrid working

Salary: £36,918 - £50,000

Closing date: 06 May 2024 at 23:55

Job title: Water Supply Technical Specialist

We are seeking 2 x Water Supply Technical Specialists to join our Cost Assessment team. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for someone with a background in engineering, water/environmental science or operational/asset management, looking to work on the development and delivery of current and future price reviews. You will not only gain experience working within the regulatory environment, but also have the chance to work and engage with multiple key stakeholders within the water sector.

The Cost Assessment team is key to the delivery of PR24. We are an enthusiastic mix of economists and water sector specialists that are leading on the assessment of expenditure for the current price review. As part of this we lead on assessment of cross industry strategic planning frameworks such as drainage and wastewater management plans (DWMPs), water resources management plans (WRMPs), and environmental programmes, such as the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP).

We lead on a large number of policy areas, including how we can maximise the delivery of best value, how to ensure that companies focus on the long term and adapt to and anticipate change, how we can move towards net zero efficiently, and how best to reduce sewer flooding and improve drought and wider resilience. The team works closely with the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), Defra, Environment Agency (EA) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on water supply issues. These are big issues for the water sector and beyond, and our contributions are vital.

You will have the opportunity work across several exciting and key areas of PR24 work which could include:

• Assessing elements of company business plans and other evidence submitted for the price review (PR24). This includes the assessment of specific areas of water enhancement expenditure such as investment to deliver drinking water quality and security improvements, or investment to enhance company resilience.
• Applying a range of data analysis and investment appraisal techniques including development of benchmarking models and undertaking detailed reviews of company proposals.
• Engaging with water companies, other regulators (in particular the DWI) and wider stakeholders throughout the PR24 process.
• Supporting the development of the approach for tracking delivery of investments and undertaking future price reviews.

The successful candidate may come from a variety of professional backgrounds and is likely to have experience in water supply process management, design, or delivery, water resilience scheme investment planning, design or delivery (e.g. network reinforcement, interconnectivity and water treatment works investment), or water production operations. This can also include experience in water company emergency planning, physical and cyber security activities, and investment planning.

Why join us?

We are forward-thinking, creative, innovative and ambitious. We constantly push the boundaries and embrace new ways of working. We know our people do their best work when given freedom over where, when, and how they work. Which is why we trust them to do exactly that.

With us, your work matters, your voice is heard, and your impact is felt. Ours is a culture of trust, flexibility, autonomy, collaboration, and innovation. We all want positive change for water customers, the environment, and the future of water.

You will also benefit from:

• Excellent employer pension contributions, for this role ranging from £10,695 to £14,485.
• 27.5 days leave (25 days annual leave + 2.5 days privilege leave) increasing to max 32.5 days with each year of service), plus bank holidays
• Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership
• Flexible working arrangements that suit your lifestyle
• Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies
• Up to 3 volunteering days per year
• Generous shared parental leave and pay
• Enhanced sick pay
• Free eye tests and contribution to lenses/spectacles for VDU users
• Regular development opportunities
• Health and wellbeing initiatives
• Season ticket loan for home-to-office travel
• Cycle-to-work scheme

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need the below essential attributes, experience, skills, and knowledge.

Experience, skills and knowledge

• Lead Criterion: Relevant experience within water sector engineering, capital or environmental programmes, asset/operational management and/or business planning.
• Degree level qualification in engineering, science, or similar technical specialism/discipline.
• Numerate with analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience of analysing and accurately interpreting a range of data and insights to inform evidence-based decisions and solutions for complex problems.
• Good communication (oral and written) skills, including the ability to communicate complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience of building and maintaining constructive working relationships internal and external stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations, and to influence and collaborate effectively to deliver desired outcomes.
• Experience of designing and delivering procedures and processes.

Attributes

• Creates clarity
• Outcomes

Attributes as per Ofwat s Framework for Success for Senior Associate grade. You can read more about our attributes here.

To read more about the role and selection process, please follow the link to apply.

Applications Deadline: 23.55 on 06 May 2024