Trainee Field Crew Leader

About Monitoring and Surveying

SOCOTEC’s Monitoring and Surveying teams deliver market‑leading monitoring, surveying and data collection services across the UK. With over 30 years of experience, we support major infrastructure, construction, utilities and environmental projects through land and utility surveying, gas and asset surveys, flow and water quality monitoring, and advanced geotechnical and structural monitoring. Using industry‑leading technology and real‑time data, we help clients reduce risk, protect critical assets and make safe, informed decisions.

Our people‑focused, can‑do culture puts safety, quality and customer excellence at the heart of everything we do.

What’s in it for you?

Your expertise deserves recognition. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including 25 days holiday (with the option to buy more), an electric car scheme (where applicable), employee recognition programmes, family‑friendly support, exclusive retail discounts, employee assistance programmes, and an enhanced company pension. SOCOTEC UK & Ireland are proud to be Disability Confident accredited.

Based in Leeds, we are looking to recruit a Trainee Field Crew Leader within Water Quality Monitoring. The purpose of this role is to lead, supervise and support Field Crew Operatives on water quality monitoring projects across the UK, ensuring installations, calibrations, maintenance, data collection and associated field tasks are carried out safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards, in line with company procedures, health & safety requirements and project plans.

The work you do will contribute to improving our environment; you will be helping water companies to manage their sewer networks, and this will help to prevent flooding, reduce pollution and improve the health of rivers and bathing waters.

The tasks you will undertake will include (but are not limited to):

• Supervising and supporting Water Quality Field Crew Operatives during site‑based monitoring activities
• Leading water quality inspections, installations, maintenance, removals and data retrieval activities
• Ensuring all fieldwork is carried out safely and in full compliance with Health & Safety procedures, RAMS and work instructions
• Acting as the on‑site lead, coordinating daily activities and maintaining communication with Project Managers and Schedulers
• Mentoring, training and developing field crew members, identifying skills gaps and training needs
• Completing and overseeing project documentation, site records and timesheets accurately and on time
• Managing company assets including vehicles, PPE, tools and water quality monitoring equipment
• Reporting incidents, near misses and defective equipment in line with company procedures
• Representing SOCOTEC UK professionally with clients, stakeholders and colleagues at all times

Travel across the UK is very common. Candidates must be open to working away from home during the week and accommodate night or evening shifts as needed.

• Proven experience in water quality monitoring fieldwork, including use of monitoring equipment
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with the ability to motivate and support field‑based teams
• A thorough understanding of Health & Safety requirements, RAMS and safe systems of work
• The ability to work independently in the field while following detailed procedures and project plans
• Strong organisational skills, with attention to detail in documentation and reporting
• Effective communication skills and the ability to coordinate with internal teams
• A proactive, flexible approach to work, including travel and varied working environments
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to work across multiple sites

• Previous experience in a supervisory or team leader role within field operations
• Additional Health & Safety qualifications (e.g. First Aid, Confined Space Entry)
• Experience mentoring or training junior or trainee field staff
• Strong problem‑solving skills related to water quality monitoring equipment
• Familiarity with electronic data capture and asset tracking systems