Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.

We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash? Join our team today. 

We’re currently recruiting a Lead Environmental Monitoring Technician to join our Environmental monitoring team based in Devon & Cornwall, on a full-time permanent basis. You will receive a competitive salary of £33,659 - £35,980 per annum.

As the Lead Environmental Monitoring Technician, you will be required to respond to potential pollution events in an accurate and timely manner, whilst ensuring compliance with all internal and external procedures and policies.

Core hours are 37 per week, with a 1 in 8 standby rota requirement

Duties:

• Mentoring area-based teams as defined by the role, attending and investigating potential pollution incidents and undertaking planned environmental monitoring programmes associated with all aspects of Company operations, mainly within the Cornwall and Devon area

• Ensure any personnel issues within the team are promptly escalated through to appropriate line management

• Ensure all team sampling and monitoring equipment is maintained and calibrated to recommended standards/frequencies.  Monitor and ensure the recording of calibration and maintenance records, requesting materials and equipment as required

• Ensuring the team works in accordance with all company health and safety policy and procedures and report on events and near misses

• Lead planned environmental and discharge compliance monitoring work programmes, when not supporting pollution incident attendance

• Attend and contributing to area and regional team meetings and support event management and regulatory reporting processes

• Support training and development of the team in relation to environmental monitoring, assessment and reporting, through both progression schemes and supporting professional membership/qualifications

• Support company environmental objectives; pollution performance, wastewater compliance, biodiversity net gain, net zero carbon targets and invasive species management and control

• Support and deputise for immediate line management in relation to the wider teams functions and responsibilities at departmental and company level as appropriate

• Provide timely and accurate scientific advice regarding environmental risks and monitoring approaches when ‘trigger point’ situations may have been reached to assess and safeguard the environment and enable effective responses to operational events

• Support company operational and legal investigations and the reporting of the environmental assessment of incidents, events and planned works activities, including environmental data requests

• Support pollution incident reviews and environmental events for internal and external reporting, and to aid learning and help progress improvements in team performance/understanding

• Participating in an out of hours pollution response rota as part of the wider team

What we’re looking for:

Essential

• Educated to degree level or above in a biological or environmental sciences or proven equivalent experience

• Full UK driving License

• Enthusiasm for working outdoors in all weathers

• Competent in all outlook packages

• Strong Analytical and numerical skills

Desirable

• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of water chemistry and/or aquatic ecology and the indicative parameters used to assess quality

• Experience of working within and leading in a scientific environment such as ecological/water quality fieldwork, laboratory analysis and/or environmental compliance monitoring

• Be able to work both independently and demonstrate leadership as part of a team, following company procedures and protocols

• Demonstrate an understanding of water and wastewater treatment, environmental issues, sustainability and/or conservation/protected species.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of water industry regulators, such as the Environment Agency and Natural England; and how they regulate

What's in it for you:

• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays

• A discretionary Bonus

• Competitive Contributory Pension

• Share-save Scheme

• Various health benefits

• Wellbeing support programmes

• A range of Group Discounts

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Financial support services

Closing Date: Monday 2nd March 2026

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values which are essential to our success are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.