Strategic Network Operative

Salary

**£31,156 - £38,946 (depending on experience)**
- Location

**Hanningfield, Chelmsford, Essex**

**About the role**

**Strategic Network Operative**

**Location: Hanningfield**

**Permanent**

**40 hours per week**

**Salary: £31,156 - £38,946 (depending on experience)**

**About the role**

We are currently seeking a dedicated Network Operative to join our team, working across above and below ground assets to ensure their reliable operation. This role plays a vital part in maintaining the quality and quantity of water supplied to our customers, through both proactive and reactive interventions on the strategic network and associated sites.

You will support tower and reservoir-related tasks such as preparing for structural inspections, flood testing, and cleaning tanks using appropriate equipment. The role also involves conducting water quality sampling and basic analysis, as well as supervising telecommunications maintenance and installation work.

Health and safety is a key focus, and you will carry out inspections of lifting equipment, emergency lighting, fire alarms, smoke detectors, and life-saving devices. You will also inspect suspended or mesh flooring to ensure safety standards are met.

On the strategic mains network, you will perform planned and corrective maintenance on underground assets including sluice valves, air valves, scours, and pipes. You’ll identify issues, report discrepancies, and assist with refilling portable water tanks. The role also includes supporting project work, isolating and re-commissioning mains and structures, and chlorination for maintenance activities.

Additional responsibilities include assisting with confined space entries, maintaining hygiene standards in restricted areas, completing work records, tracing and mapping mains, and handling and restocking chemicals.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone with a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining essential infrastructure. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact in water network operations, we’d love to hear from you.

**About You**

We’re looking for someone who brings a practical mindset and a collaborative spirit to the role. You’ll need a full driving licence, and while towing experience is a plus, we’ll provide training to get you up to speed. Basic mechanical skills are essential, as you’ll be carrying out hands-on maintenance work across a range of assets.

You should be confident in assessing safety risks and interpreting both paper and digital plans, including GIS and CAD drawings. Familiarity with mobile devices such as phones, tablets, or computers is important, as you’ll use them to record job information, working hours, and access site data. You’ll also need to be comfortable reading and understanding written instructions like risk assessments, method statements, and procedures, and be capable of producing basic documentation such as permits to work.

This role suits someone who works well in a team but can also operate independently when required. You’ll need to follow instructions reliably, stay focused during repetitive tasks, and plan your workload efficiently. Sensitivity and professionalism when dealing with internal and external customers is key, as is the ability to take ownership of tasks and see them through to completion.
- Here at Essex & Suffolk Water, we embrace and value Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, and encourage all colleagues to bring their most authentic self to work._
- Our colleague network groups include our Rainbow Support Network (LGBTQIA+), REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), WiSTEM (Women in STEM) and Thisability (disability and neurodiversity) networks. They provide a safe space for colleagues from diverse backgrounds, welcoming all colleagues regardless of their personal characteristics to participate in valuable conversation that improves our organisational awareness, understanding and inclusivity._- Please note this role will require a DBS to be completed prior to employment_

**About us**

Here are NWG we strive to make Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) a Great Place to Work, for all. We embrace and value Diversity, Inclusion and Equity and encourage you to bring your full self to work. As an equal opportunity employer we’re committed to having a diverse community represented across our business.

We’re aware that not everyone will have every skill listed in the job description, however if you have some of the skills listed, we'd encourage you to apply

**NWG at a glance**:
**Our purpose at NWG is caring for the essential needs of our communities and environment, now and for generations to come.**
- We do this by providing reliable and affordable water and wastewater services for our customers._
- We make a positive difference by operating efficiently and investing prudently, to maintain a sustainable and resilient business._

**Our vision is to be the national leader in the provision of sustainable water and was