Position: Waste Water Treatment Facility (WWTF) Operator at Discovery Park
Location: Discovery Park, Sandwich, Kent
Role: Permanent
Discovery Park is a leading science and innovation park in the Southeast of England, home to more than 160 forward-thinking companies ranging from ambitious start-ups to global multinationals. Our vibrant community spans the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, healthcare, technology, and professional services sectors, creating a dynamic environment where innovation thrives.
Through our dedicated operational and business support teams, Discovery Park Management Ltd (DPML) delivers comprehensive facilities management across the site. This includes the maintenance of buildings, landscaped grounds, and utilities infrastructure, as well as the provision of essential services such as front-of-house reception, cleaning, logistics, security, and event management.
We are committed to maintaining a welcoming environment for all occupiers and visitors, delivering quality services across the park, whilst continuously seeking opportunities to improve and enhance the way we operate.
Our values guide everything we do:
- Inspirational leadership – leading by example and empowering others
- People-focused – treating everyone with respect, care, and professionalism
- Operational excellence – delivering consistently high standards in all we do
- Community spirit – working collaboratively and supporting one another as one team
Main Purposes of the Job
As a WWTF Operator, you will play an important role in the safe, efficient and compliant running of Discovery Park’s Waste Water Treatment Facility (WWTF). You will monitor and maintain the treatment process, carry out regular testing and deal with any issues to make sure the plant continues to run effectively. Working as part of the WWTF team, you will use your technical knowledge and practical skills to check how the plant is performing and support planned and corrective maintenance with maintenance teams and contractors. The role is important in making sure the facility meets environmental regulations and permit requirements, helping to prevent pollution and keep Discovery Park operating safely and responsibly.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Ensure that the WWTF unit operates within the consent conditions of our Pollution, Prevention and Control (PPC) permit at all times.
- Carry out routine analysis of the effluent streams and monitor and adjust the plant operation to ensure effective plant biology.
- Follow a range of plant-based activities such as sampling, equipment maintenance checks and identifying operational issues to maintain a balanced plant.
- Perform laboratory work to meet permit requirements and report any deviations.
- Prepare plant so that all planned routines are carried out in a timely and non-disruptive manner.
- Liaise with maintenance teams and contractors to plan and schedule routine preventive and corrective maintenance work, including preparation of necessary permits.
- Understand the whole waste stream operation onsite, from all trade waste inlets and foul waste streams along with surface water pit locations.
- Conduct weekly calibration testing for the TOC and PH analysers.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
- Weekend working will be required usually around 1 – 2 weekends per month, scheduled amongst the WWTF team.
- As required by the Business and/or directed by Management
About Your Skills & Experience
Essential
- Ability to diagnose operational issues and implement corrective actions.
- Ability to make informed, timely decisions on plant operations and compliance matters.
- Ability to understand and apply environmental laws and safety regulations.
- Ability to maintain accurate record-keeping.
- Commitment to workplace safety and risk management.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and work on own initiative.
- Ability to take a flexible approach to work and work in a dynamic environment with changing regulations and unexpected operational issues.
- Flexibility in conjunction with the rest of the WWTF team to work within the weekend scheduling.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within a process control environment.
- Ability to monitor and adjust treatment processes for efficiency.
- Technical knowledge of wastewater treatment processes.
- Competency in testing and interpreting water samples.
- Experience with automated plant monitoring and control systems.
- Hands-on experience in wastewater process analysis
- Knowledge of Environmental Regulations and Compliance
- Understanding of risk assessments, confined space entry and PPE requirements.
Remuneration and Benefits
Annual Salary: £37,418.86
Working Hours: 40 hours per week- 7am to 4pm (inclusive of 1-hour unpaid break each day)
Our benefits include*:
- 8 shifts company sick pay
- 22 shifts annual leave (incorporated into shift rota)
- Discount and recognition platform
- On-site gym
- 10% discount at our onsite catering
- Free onsite parking
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
*Benefits listed are based on working full-time and are subject to change.
Note: The Job Description is not intended to be all inclusive. The job holder may be required to perform other related duties to meet the on-going needs of the Company.