HomeWessex WaterEarly careersTechnical apprenticeshipsScientist Technician Apprentice

About the role

Our Scientists help to ensure that we comply with all regulatory requirements and that there is no detrimental impact on the environment through our operations.

Working across both our water supply and water recycling departments, you will develop skills and knowledge about water treatment process management.

You will also develop scientific expertise about our treatment works and networks to help us to maintain cost-effective, high-quality standards and regulatory compliance.

Day to day, you will carry out tasks such as incident investigation, sampling, fault finding, process optimisation and data analysis.

After your apprenticeship

On completion of the apprenticeship, you will:

  • maintain and report on quality and regulatory compliance
  • support the operation of sites and processes within budget
  • carry out process risk assessments to minimise compliance risks
  • carry out CoSHH, health and safety and process audits
  • evaluate the impact on treatment to maintain quality
  • evaluate Licensed Treatment Centre effect on treatment quality
  • investigate network performance and quality issues
  • follow processes and equipment to improve efficiency, reduce quality risk and operational cost and suggest improvements
  • monitor, analyse and report data trends to maintain treatment quality
  • respond to quality limit failures to reduce compliance risk
  • monitor and maintain sampling programme within budget
  • optimise all chemical dosing for consent compliance and budget
  • support liaison with the Environment Agency and Drinking Water Inspectorate.

Skills and values we are looking for

  • Communication.
  • Teamwork.
  • IT/digital.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Safety-focused.
  • Critical thinking.
  • Organisation.
  • Problem solving.
  • Accuracy.
  • Recording.
  • Reporting.
  • Numeracy.
  • Analytical.
  • Solutions-focused.
  • Logic.
  • Initiative.

Where you'll work

This role is local so you will be expected to work anywhere within a 90-minute radius of your home.

What you'll need

  • GCSEs at grade A-C/4-9 in English and maths.
  • Science based A-Levels or a Level 3 equivalent.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • The ability to work in a team.
  • To be self-motivated.
  • To be an efficient problem solver.
  • The ability to build working relationships quickly at all levels.
  • Good computer literacy.
  • A willingness to work across our region.
  • The ability to plan and prioritise work effectively.

Further information

Duration

  • Three and a half years plus end point assessment.

Qualifications you'll gain

  • Technician Scientist Level 5 Apprenticeship.
  • Foundation Degree in Applied Chemical Sciences – FdSc.

Training provision

  • Training will be delivered by the University of Kent.
  • Weekly virtual seminars and lectures.
  • Summer school in Medway, Kent.