Are you passionate about farming and the environment? Would you like to use your skills to protect water quality? If so, we have a great opportunity to join our team as a Water Supply Catchment Adviser!
What you'll do
Understanding catchments and the pressures that they face is crucial for managing water resources. As part of a small team of Catchment Advisers, you will use your farming and environmental knowledge to evaluate land management practices and determine the risks they pose to drinking water quality (ground water and surface water).
You will help mitigate these risks by working with and advising farmers and other stakeholders across our region to promote sustainable land management practices to ensure good water quality at our sources.
Communication and collaborative working are key aspects of this varied role, as you will not only provide advice to farmers/landowners across our region, but you will work closely with Operational Science and Water Production teams to ensure wholesome water is supplied to customers.
Your responsibilities will include:
1. carrying out catchment surveys in our region to build a good knowledge of land management practices and report risks to water quality for the company's Drinking Water Safety Plans (DWSPs)
2. reviewing external and internal data sources, including water quality data, to support the risk assessment process
3. working collaboratively with Operational Science, Water Production, Hydrogeologists, Compliance and Catchment Delivery teams to seek to address problems posed by water quality issues
4. using your agricultural knowledge to engage with farmers and provide advice about sustainable land management practices to benefit water quality
5. engaging, as the need arises, with other relevant stakeholders in catchments, including businesses, regulators, agronomists and advisers
6. managing and carrying out reactive investigations in drinking water catchments following contamination events
7. providing technical support as a catchment specialist for other investigations and projects within the business.
What you'll need
This role would be suitable for someone who is an established Agricultural or Environmental Adviser or is looking to develop their career as a Catchment Adviser.
As the role requires an understanding of land management practices, you need to have extensive knowledge of agriculture and agricultural practices and be an excellent communicator who is confident talking to and dealing with the farming community and other relevant stakeholders. You will also be relied upon as a point of reference as a catchment specialist for advice within the Water Supply team.
You will need to be self-sufficient with a proactive approach and be prepared to be flexible in the role to respond to incidents and other business requirements, as required.
Essential qualities include:
8. a relevant degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in agriculture, environmental science, or a related discipline
9. knowledge of sustainable farming practices, including soil, nutrient, manure and pesticide management
10. an understanding of risk to groundwater and surface water quality from catchment land use and activities
11. knowledge of environmental legislation and regulatory processes in agriculture
12. strong communication skills, including the ability to negotiate and liaise with external stakeholders and work across internal teams
13. the ability to write technical notes and reports
14. interpreting and presenting data to a range of internal and external audiences
15. having good attention to detail and organisational skills to ensure reporting deadlines are met
16. the ability to work effectively in both an office environment and in the field
17. effective time management with the ability to work well both in a team and by yourself
18. good IT skills
19. a full UK driving licence.
Preferred, but not essential skills include:
20. the ability to analyse and interpret water quality data
21. GIS skills
22. knowledge of regulatory processes in the water industry
23. an understanding of hydrogeology and/or hydrology.
What you'll receive
24. A combined pension contribution of up to 20%.
25. Career progression and professional development opportunities.
26. 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
27. The opportunity to buy up to 10 days' holiday and sell up to five every year.
28. A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
29. Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
30. A new electric car in exchange for part of your gross salary.
31. Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
32. One paid volunteering day each year.
33. Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
34. An interactive health and wellbeing platform.
35. Support from mental health first aiders.
36. A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us.
Who we are
YTL UK is part of the international YTL Group based in Kuala Lumpur. The UK companies include:
37. Wessex Water – one of the top-performing water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, serving 2.9 million people across the South West.
38. 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.
39. YTL Construction UK – a top 20 UK contractor providing fully integrated services to infrastructure, residential, commercial, industry, energy and environmental sectors.
40. YTL Arena – the development and operation of an entertainment complex that includes a 19,000 capacity arena, conferencing and exhibition space.
41. 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.