Process Controller

We are looking for a Process Controller to join Thames Water on a permanent basis.

This is a rare opportunity to join a team that together produces millions of litres of water for customers across Oxfordshire each day. In this role, you will complete the Licence to Operate training programme enabling you to independently operate both Farmoor and Swinford Water Treatment Works. Alongside this, you will have the opportunity to support the planning and delivery of outages and proactive site
activities.

What's in it for you?

• The working hours for this role are 07:30 – 15:36, Monday -Friday, however, there may be an opportunity to be part of the onsite shift team (working a 12-hour rotating shift pattern) in the future.
• This role is site-based with lots of variety, working across Farmoor and Swinford WTWs and at Farmoor Reservoir. Day to day you will spend time both within the control room and outside on site.
• Competitive salary up to £35,000 per annum depending on skills and experience.
• Whilst water or industrial process experience is desired, a willingness to learn, bring enthusiasm and take ownership is essential. Full training will be provided as well as all uniforms, tools and equipment.
• GymPass, a free fitness plan and access to several wellbeing apps for you and up to three family members as well as discounted plans nationwide!
• Cycle to work scheme, always on and up to £3,000 save money, get fit and help protect the environment.
• WeCare, a variety of health and wellbeing services for you and your family including up to 10 specialist counselling sessions, 24/7 access to a virtual GP, get fit programmes and access to a nutritionist.
• Benefits on Tap, access to discounts, cashback and instant vouchers.
• Generous Paternity Leave, including 4 weeks paid and an optional 2 weeks unpaid.
• Enhanced Maternity Leave, 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay.
• Ongoing performance development reviews to help you be your best and identify growth opportunities.
• Annual Leave 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.

What you will be doing as a Process Controller

• Remote monitoring and control of a range of water treatment processes via SCADA, such as abstraction, filtration, ozonation, and disinfection.
• Carrying out sampling and related analysis to ensure compliance with internal standards and external regulations.
• Manual fault finding and intervention to maintain the treatment process or customer supply. Specific examples include changes in chemical dosing. You will also have to respond to emergencies, whether this is process failures or power failures. In such circumstances, you will remain calm and follow established procedures to escalate, and then stabilise the process or isolate the issue at hand.
• Comply with operational standards, completing necessary documentation including shift logs.
• Taking responsibility for your health and safety and also health and safety on site. You will highlight safety observations and take action to make the area safe where possible. You may contribute to risk assessments and procedures that contribute to improving health and safety standards on site. This is important given that the site is governed under COMAH regulations.
• Liaise with other departments, particularly Water Quality and Maintenance, to find solutions for issues and deliver the best results for the site.
• Maintain own technical knowledge and keep up to date with changes in procedures and asset standards.
• Provide technical input to help with the delivery of the production plan. (this could include inputting into asset availability improvements, and investigating site trips)
• Work with the site manager to assist with the smooth running of the site. (for example, assisting with process risk assessments, assisting with site inductions)
• Assisting with the efficiency programme. (for example, triad and peak tariff avoidance response)
• Reporting to the Farmoor and Swinford WTW Site Manager, you will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team with electricians, mechanical engineers and scientists, to ensure the effective and continuous operation of the site.

What you should bring to the role?

• We are looking for someone who has process and/or water treatment experience and is hands-on and practical with impeccable attention to detail and troubleshooting skills.
• Demonstrate a ‘can-do’ attitude, have strong problem-solving abilities, and take a solution-focused approach.
• Good communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Competent to use company IT systems and Microsoft Office. Experience with SCADA software is desirable.
• You should have experience of lone working and be willing to work in confined spaces in challenging conditions.
• A current driving licence is also required.

Who are we?

At Thames Water, our purpose is crystal clear - to deliver life’s essential service so our customers, communities and planet can thrive. Water is life’s great leveller. Every living thing needs it, every single day. From people to plants, birds to bees, farms to factories, we all need it to thrive, and we’re committed to taking care of it for us all. But keeping water flowing is becoming harder.

From scorching summers to wetter winters, extreme weather affects everything from our pipes to our local rivers. We need to keep millions more kettles boiling, public services operating, washing machines spinning, showers running and more, so every drop is more precious than ever. Are you ready to play your part?

Working at Thames Water

At Thames Water, we recognise that people are at the heart of our business. To help us succeed in providing life's essential service, we need a range of skills and capabilities, representative of society throughout our business.

We seek to attract and retain a cultural mix of people who can offer different but complementary attitudes, values, talents, and knowledge. We understand the importance of appreciating and harnessing the unique skills, experiences, backgrounds, and differences that each individual brings.

Our over-arching diversity and inclusion aim is to ensure Thames Water is a diverse and inclusive great place to work. We encourage applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Find out more about working at Thames Water.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.