Wastewater Regulatory Scientist

Do you have an interest in the environment and want to help protect it? Do you have experience in wastewater operations or compliance that you could use to help support the business in delivering our environmental obligations? If so, this role could be perfect for you.

We're looking for two enthusiastic Wastewater Regulation Scientists to join our team to work on our continuous water quality data assurance and reporting.

What you'll do

In this role, you'll be reporting to the Wastewater Compliance Advisor. You will mainly be responsible for the review, quality checks and reporting of data from our continuous water quality monitors.

As this is a new programme, there is also the opportunity to help identify, develop and embed data analysis methodologies, tools and procedures. You will also be involved with helping to generate the required regulatory reporting for the Smart Waters programme.

The data collected will help create an evidence base to help us make informed decisions to reduce harm from our assets. The data insights will need to inform our investment strategies and opportunities for operational efficiencies.

We must also develop and implement a public-facing dashboard by 2030 to communicate a clear message to the public and stakeholders about the water quality of the water environment and what happens when storm overflows operate.

You will also help identify, develop and implement creative ways to automate data validation and analysis to understand what the data means and how best to visualise it graphically (and geospatially, working alongside a geospatial technician) to convey the appropriate and succinct messages to enable effective decisions that lead to positive environmental and stakeholder outcomes.

Initially, this will entail:

• data review of water quality, hydrometry and storm overflow time series data
• data checks and validation (to be automated where possible, working alongside our data engineering team in our IT department)
• detecting anomalies (eg, pollution spikes, sensor drift)
• trend analysis to assess long-term changes
• correlating water quality data with rainfall, discharge events or land use
• generating reports
• helping to develop standardised procedures
• using the data to inform operational and investment.

The role will require engagement with other departments to ensure we identify and maximise potential data analysis synergies with existing projects and the available data sources.

Data engineering support will be provided by the IT department, presenting a significant opportunity for development.

What you'll need

The ability to effectively communicate across the wider business is key, as you will be providing advice and guidance on wastewater environmental regulations and compliance. You must be able to work independently and request support when required.

To work effectively, you will need to be a team player who is willing to get stuck in to help deliver the team's requirements. Communication within the team is key for workload management, learning and sharing current information, and keeping on top of team priorities.

A key requirement of this role is being able to translate data into business-friendly reports. To be able to effectively deliver your reporting, you will be required to have good knowledge of Microsoft Excel.

You will either have experience in a science field or be degree-level qualified within a science or related subject.

You will ideally have experience in one or more of the following:

• working within an operational role in the water industry
• good technical understanding of wastewater activities
• operating within a regulatory advisory role
• data analysis and processing
• an understanding of environmental regulation.

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 Live – 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.