Yorkshire Water’s recruiting record number of wastewater technicians

Yorkshire Water is recruiting a record number of mechanical engineers and industrial electrical engineers to join the wastewater team as part of the utility’s largest ever environmental investment of £8.3bn to improve services for customers and upgrade infrastructure over the next five years.

There are 20 mechanical engineering roles and 20 industrial electrical engineering vacancies to fill, including the development of a brand-new bathing water hub, with more roles in the pipeline.  New recruits are responsible for improving reliability of processes and pumping for both clean and wastewater functions, to reduce pollutants and environmental impact on Yorkshire’s rivers, beaches and coastline.

New mechanical fitters are part of the utility maintenance team.  The role has responsibility for maintaining mechanical assets across the water and wastewater treatment and pumping installations.  Mechanical fitters deliver planned and reactive maintenance and work alongside approved contract partners.

The role of an Industrial Electrician includes maintenance of Yorkshire Water’s electrical and mechanical assets across wastewater treatment and pumping installations.  Candidates are responsible for their own work and schedule to deliver improved reliability of assets. 

Yorkshire Water is a 24/7 business operating 365 days a year and as such mechanical engineers and industrial electrical engineers will require some remote working as well as responding to emergency calls both in and out of hours on an on-call rota.  Candidates will need a full driving licence as a vehicle is included as part of the package, as is comprehensive and compulsory training, adhering to Yorkshire Water’s stringent health and safety policy and standards to actively identify and mitigate hazards.

As new members of the Yorkshire Water team, the new recruits will be integral to ensuring over 5.4 million people living in the region can rely on safe, clean drinking water being delivered to their homes and their wastewater is safely flushed away.  Yorkshire Water provides essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the county, playing a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

It is an exciting time to join Yorkshire Water through its largest infrastructure and asset investment programme, headlines include:

• £51 million to increase asset resilience
• £1.5 billion to invest in storm overflows to drive down discharges into watercourses
• £75 million for environmental protection and improvements
• £300 million investment in bathing water quality

New recruits wanting to join the Yorkshire Water team and enjoy a competitive salary of £40k plus; continuous training and attractive pension benefits will need a level 3 NVQ or equivalent qualification or a 4-year apprenticeship in mechanical engineering.  Yorkshire Water can also offer funding for electrical fitters wanting to complete HNC qualifications. 

Richard Taylor-Walters, wastewater service deliver maintenance manager, Yorkshire Water, said: “It’s a really exciting time to join the Yorkshire Water wastewater team.  Successful candidates can expect a fulfilling career where no two days are the same. This is a great entry position to the organisation and full training and advance training is part of the attractive package. 

“We have unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from our customers and the wastewater team is a key part of how the organisation plans to meet these changing expectations and new environmental legislation.

“New recruits will undertake maintenance of Yorkshire Waters Electrical and Mechanical assets across wastewater treatment and pumping installations.  Whilst mobile working responding to emergency calls and out of hours support are part and parcel of the role, our new team members will be fully supported with a comprehensive training package and mentoring throughout.

“You’ll be made to feel welcome and will be kitted out will full PPE, a van and all of the correct tools you will need to fulfil these important roles.  Whilst you will be expected to work independently and in charge of your own workload, there is plenty of support to make sure you are comfortable with all of the new important responsibilities as part of the Yorkshire Water team.”

Visit Careers | Yorkshire Water for details of the mechanical fitter, industrial electrician and other vacancies at Yorkshire Water.