At South West Water we believe that the strongest businesses are built on solid, stable foundations - with a vision and a culture that gives them the freedom to change, improve and innovate. We’re proud to be responsible for providing reliable, efficient and high-quality drinking water and wastewater services for the beautiful South West area. And we have huge ambitions. Not only are we committed to reaching net-zero by 2030, but we’ve also partnered with Wildlife Trusts, National Parks and local partners to help ensure a better future for generations to come. So, if you want to be part of a diverse team where opportunities flow and fresh ideas are welcomed, #JustAddWater.We currently have an opportunity available to join our Environment Advisor team working on a hybrid basis with an office base in either Exeter or St Austell. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis, and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £31,500 per annum plus benefits. About the role: The Environment Advisor is key for protecting the environment and the business priority to reduce pollution numbers through regulatory challenge. The role is focused on ensuring the company achieves our environmental targets by investigating and undertaking Root Cause Analysis (RCA) of pollution events and providing incident feedback to internal and external stakeholders including the environmental regulator, the Environment Agency (EA). This role is key to achieving our environmental and pollution commitments. The successful candidate will be working closely with many areas of the business, including operational field teams, to ensure thorough and detailed investigations are undertaken and that high quality, accurate and detailed information is provided to stakeholders.
What you'll be doing:
1. Monitoring and keeping track of all pollution incidents and ensuring all event information and impact evidence is captured
2. Investigating the cause of pollution incidents and supporting a detailed Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
3. Ensuring incident feedback has been provided to the regulator and formulating responses to regulator questions with assistance from Waste Water teams
4. Preparing Incident Summary Reports for submission to the regulator covering no impact, third party and non-event scenarios
5. Building and maintaining constructive relationships with the environmental regulator and providing internal advice and updates on EA guidance and regulations covering pollution incidents
6. Using knowledge and experience to review incident information to ensure accuracy and consistency, and to challenge inconsistencies and provide business insight.
7. Assisting with the development and implementation of strategies/projects under the Pollution Incident Reduction Plan to achieve Outcome Delivery Incentive (ODI) targets
8. Assisting with the co-ordination of the area level response to pollution incidents, including liaising with Sampling and Laboratory teams and reviewing sample results
9. Supporting operational teams with impact/third party investigations and producing no impact/third party statements
10. Proactively identifying pollution reduction opportunities
11. Innovating and identifying practical solutions to help the business achieve its performance targets
12. Supporting or leading in-house training in respect of pollution issues and risks
13. Supporting the business in the event of environmental incidents, including working with Legal to formulate responses to the regulator.
14. Supporting the business with writing responses to the regulator following actions being allocated by Compliance Assessment Reports
What we are looking for:
15. Degree or relevant workplace experience in an environmental, engineering, operational or regulatory setting
16. Experience of working within the wastewater or other regulated sector and its operation, planning, reporting and regulatory obligations is a benefit
17. Minimum of 5 GCSE’s or equivalent, including English and Mathematics at grade C or above
18. Computer literate and skilled in the use of MS Office including Word and Excel
19. Good communication skills with the ability to liaise confidently both verbally and in writing
20. Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise work effectively innovate and work well under pressure
What's in it for you:
21. Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays
22. A discretionary Bonus
23. Competitive Contributory Pension
24. Share-save Scheme
25. Various health benefits
26. Wellbeing support programmes
27. A range of Group Discounts
28. Cycle to Work Scheme
29. Financial support services
30. And plenty more!
We know that the support and commitment of our staff is key to our success so you will receive the opportunity for ongoing development and training for a long-term career with us. We’re one of the largest companies in the South West and are proud to have been awarded Investors in People recognition. Closing Date: 22nd October 2025Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.Our core values which are essential to our success are:Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.