Water Quality (Chemicals) Placement Student

Are you passionate about the environment and interested in pursuing a career in environmental science? Are you looking for a role that provides plenty of development opportunities? If so, we have a great opportunity for you during your sandwich year!   

This is one of five placement student opportunities within the Environmental Investigations team, each of which has a different focus, with this role supporting the delivery of the national Chemical Investigations Programme (CIP), focussing on a mix of water quality sampling, data analysis, and report writing.

What you'll do

As a Water Quality (Chemicals) placement student, you'll become an integral part of our Environmental Investigations team. You will collaborate with Environmental Scientists and Project Managers to deliver critical water quality investigations exploring the presence and fate of chemicals in sewage, as part of the Water Industry National Environment Programme. 

The main duties of this role include: 

• conduct in-field monitoring activities, including water quality sampling, installing and maintaining monitoring instruments, river flow and groundwater level monitoring, ecological monitoring and sampling, and habitat and fish surveys
• analyse and validate both existing and newly collected data to ensure accuracy and reliability
• prepare clear, comprehensive reports for desk studies and final submissions to regulatory bodies such as the Environment Agency
• respond to internal and external data requests and develop tools to support project delivery across the CIP and wider team
• engage and communicate with stakeholders, supporting the wider team in these efforts
• develop a personal development plan to enhance your industry-specific skills and overall employability throughout the year.

What you'll need

This role is an industrial placement to be completed as part of a university sandwich year. To be successful in this role you will be studying towards a BSc in an environmental or science discipline. You will be well organised, able to manage and prioritise your own workload and comfortable lone working safely in both office and outdoor environments.  

The following skills and details are essential; 

• a valid UK driving licence
• the ability to swim 
• proficient use of Microsoft 365 e.g. PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, Excel 
• organisation and time management skills 
• ability to effectively plan own workload 
• effective communication and presentation skills
• technical report writing
• willingness to be outdoors in all weathers.

The following skills are desirable, but not essential: 

• experience in data analysis and the use of R or Python as a method of statistical analysis and data visualisation 
• experience using ArcMap, ArcPro or an equivalent GIS programme
• an understanding of environmental issues such as water abstraction, hydrology, pollution, conservation and environmental legislation. 

You do not need any prior knowledge of the water industry or water quality investigations for this role; you will be given the opportunity to complete a CIWEM-accredited ‘Introduction to the water industry' course upon starting. However, a willingness to learn and engage is essential. 

Full training, personal protective equipment (PPE), and company laptop & phone will be supplied. A company vehicle will also be provided throughout the course of the placement. 

What you'll receive

• A combined pension contribution of up to 20%.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• The opportunity to sell up to five days of holiday every year.
• The opportunity to buy up to ten days of holiday each year (subject to conditions).
• A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
• Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
• The opportunity to lease a new electric car through salary sacrifice (subject to conditions).
• Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
• Access to an interactive health and wellbeing platform.
• Support from trained mental health first aiders.
• A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone who is successfully recruited by us. 

Who we are

YTL UK is part of the international YTL Group based in Kuala Lumpur. The UK companies include:

• Wessex Water – one of the top-performing water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, serving 2.9 million people across the South West
• YTL Developments – a major UK developer currently redeveloping a 350-acre former airfield into an award-winning, exciting mix of houses, apartments, schools, commercial space, restaurants and hotels, to make a truly sustainable new community
• YTL Construction UK – a top 20 UK contractor providing fully integrated services to infrastructure, residential, commercial, industry, energy and environmental sectors
• YTL Arena – the development and operation of an entertainment complex that includes a 20,000 capacity arena, conferencing and exhibition space
• plus a number of other retail, environmental and specialist businesses.

Our people tell us that YTL UK is a great place to work, which is why so many of them stay with us! You will have a unique opportunity to develop and progress your career within such a diverse group.

We are passionate about diversity and inclusion – with that in mind, all applicants are welcome. We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer.

If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process, please inform a member of our Recruitment team.