Catchment Technician

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose
South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.

We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. We are lowering our carbon footprint and working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife. Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash? Join our team today. We’re currently recruiting a Catchment Technician to join our recovery & treatment team based in Totnes
. This is a permanent full-time position with a competitive salary of £29,934–£40,668 per annum and the opportunity to enter our company progression scheme. You will also receive a salary uplift allowance for participating in the standby rota. Core hours are 37 per week with a 1 in 5 week standby and call‑out rota once training is complete.

The Catchment Technician will support the area wastewater services treatment and sewage pumping station managers, and the wider wastewater services management team.

• Pollution investigation and support, including engagement in Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• Support the team through reactive response to compliance hot spots to help resolve issues and suggest solutions
• Incident management and recovery
• Provide technical support to the Waste Water Operational Teams to help compliance, efficiency and asset reliability
• Detailed action planning and contingency development
• Health & safety investigation and hazard resolution
• Asset optimisation, including contribution to the Smart Alarm project
• Respond to technical enquiries and customer correspondence and provide technical information where required
• Support management team through ensuring governance processes are discharged, e.g. Fire Alarm Testing at AD sites, WAMITAB TCM site inspections, H&S inspections
• Energy and Water efficiency programme field support

• 5 GCSEs at grades A–C or equivalent including Maths, English and a Science subject; or
• ONC / City and Guilds in a relevant subject or NVQ Waste Water Process or Sewerage Control Level 2 standard of competence or HNC / Water Diploma
• Technical outlook and ability to analyse and administer varied data sources to make decisions and present information for action
• Use of computer systems, which will include both MS Office
• Ability to adapt to changes within the wastewater services team and flex activities to support the wider team
• Full UK Driver’s Licence
• Ability to undertake out‑of‑hours standby duties

• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays
• A discretionary bonus
• Competitive contributory pension
• Share‑save scheme
• Various health benefits
• Wellbeing support programmes
• A range of group discounts
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Financial support services

Closing Date: 28th July 2026

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be 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 own way.

Be the Future – Embrace change. Drive progress. Own the challenge.

We look after the water and wastewater services for 1.8 million customers across Cornwall, Devon, the Isles of Scilly and parts of Dorset and Somerset. From treatment and maintenance to innovation and improvements, we’re busy every day finding and fixing leaks, unblocking sewers and going bigger and further in our environmental work to be a company you can be proud of.