Technical Specialist – Water Quality Strategy

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience from £46,479 to £58,099.
• Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year).
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution).
• Development opportunities in line with the Technical Specialist progression plan.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus an extra wellness day!
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary.
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover. 
• Retail savings scheme.
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: Bradford BD6 moving to Leeds Vally Park in Summer this year where you will be based going forward / Hybrid Working with 2-3 days in the office.

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Technical Specialist – Water Quality Strategy to join the Wastewater Strategy, Investment and Planning team, part of our Asset Management directorate at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. Could this be you?

What we do!

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this.

We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. 

As a key member of our Drainage and Wastewater  team, you’ll help shape the future of how Yorkshire Water protects and enhances river water quality across our region. This role sits at the heart of our environmental ambition and offers an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of water quality science, regulation, and long‑term strategic planning. Your work will directly influence how we improve outcomes for our rivers, our customers, and the communities we serve.

Where you fit in!

In this role, you will lead the development of Yorkshire Water’s long‑term strategy for continuous discharge water quality modelling, ensuring our approach keeps pace with both current and emerging environmental legislation. You will also play a central role in driving catchment-scale planning, identifying opportunities to deliver innovative and robust catchment solutions that enhance environmental outcomes and support the improvements required through the periodic review process.

Your technical expertise will enable you to influence and negotiate on key matters related to our WwTW discharges such as environmental regulation, investment in river water quality, modelling strategy, AMP8 scheme delivery and wider policy development. As the company’s recognised expert in river modelling relating to wastewater treatment modelling tools such as SAGIS‑SIMCAT—you will provide insight and guidance across a range of strategic challenges.

As our Technical Specialist you will;

• Lead the development of Yorkshire Water’s long‑term water quality modelling strategy in line with evolving environmental legislation.
• Drive catchment‑scale planning to identify innovative, robust solutions that deliver enhanced environmental outcomes.
• Use technical expertise to influence environmental regulation, river WQ modelling approaches, and investment decisions.
• Support Asset Delivery in scheme matters relating to continuous discharge water quality modelling.
• Act as the company’s expert in surface water modelling relating to wastewater models such as SAGIS‑SIMCAT.
• Identify emerging risks and opportunities related to environmental regulation and scientific developments.
• Represent Yorkshire Water in national forums, contributing to industry research and shaping national policy on wastewater treatment and river water quality.
• Develop performance commitments and long‑term wastewater strategies that support delivery of WINEP obligations.
• Influence regulatory interpretation and policy at both national and local levels to minimise risk and maximise opportunities.
• Support the development of wider business strategies and periodic review submissions.
• Coach and support team members on technical issues to help develop team capability.
• Work collaboratively with the Environment Agency and stakeholders to identify waterbody risks and inform WINEP development.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Good understanding of environmental legislation matters, as related to YW’s water and wastewater (incl. sludge) activities.
• Working knowledge of Asset Management principles.
• Be able to lead and influence in complex environments working with technical experts and communicate complicated technical concepts.
• Numerate and has demonstrable ability in ability to analyse and interpret environmental data.
• Ability to provide technical leadership on investigations and projects
• Understanding of process and project management.
• Ability to coach others on technical issues.
• Ability to communicate effectively through written communications, presentations and in meetings.
• Strong interpersonal skills, which are used to effectively influence and negotiate on environmental regulation matters.
• Able to prioritise own time and resources effectively with a positive attitude to solving problems and make decisions in your work area.
• Demonstrable technical experience / industry knowledge.
• Proven planning ability - identifying priorities and actions to assist in delivering results

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy!

Do we sound like your cup of tea?  

If you’ve got experience at a Technical Specialist or the relevant skill and experience and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.  

Closing date – 19th April

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.

All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.