See job eligibility requirements: Drinking Water Inspector

U.K. Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

London, UK 🇬🇧

Reference number

280594

Salary

ÂŁ40,262 – ÂŁ44,724

A technical uplift is payable on the successful completion of the probationary period (usually 8 months after starting). This is a supplement to the pay rate for Inspectors to reflect the technical skills of the role.

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

DEFRA – ERM – Floods & Water – Drinking Water Inspectorate

Type of role

Analytical
Audit
Operational Delivery
Science

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time

Number of jobs available

2

Location

The Drinking Water Inspectorate is based in Central London. Currently all staff are employed on the basis of working in the London office, but a certain amount of flexibility can be allowed within the system as long as both business and team needs are met.

About the job

Job summary

The Drinking Water Inspectorate is seeking a talented individual with skills and/or experience in drinking water supply/water quality to join its team ensuring high quality water supplies across England and Wales.

Every day tap water is tested by the water companies. Inspectors independently check these tests and audit water company laboratories. If any one of the millions of tests each year fails the standards then the Inspectors use their powers to require the water company to make the necessary improvements to drinking water quality. Inspectors go out on site to check that improvement work is completed on time. They also inspect that the aspects of water operations which ensure drinking water is safe at all times.

 Very occasionally things go wrong. When this happens, it is the job of the Inspectorate to investigate the operational incident and provide an independent report of the cause with recommendations on how to prevent similar events from happening again. Sometimes our investigations of incidents lead to a water company being prosecuted. In addition, when a water company fails to resolve a drinking water quality complaint then the consumer can come to the Inspectorate for help.

Job description

Inspectors work in teams under the direction of Principal Inspectors. However, there is a high degree of autonomy of decision making and Inspectors are involved in a wide range of tasks covering all functions from source to tap. Inspectors must decide whether or not there has been, or is likely to be, a breach of the regulations, and if so, whether enforcement action is necessary to safeguard drinking water quality. Inspectors may be involved with interviewing staff, contractors or consumers; conducting site audits to assess treatment and monitoring processes or storage facilities; and in certain circumstances may be required to attend court and give interviews to the media.

Responsibilities include:

Inspectors manage the day-to-day relationship between the Inspectorate and one or more of the regulated water companies;

Inspectors can also work in specialised team accessing information provided by water companies and other stakeholders in relation to compliance with the regulations;

Inspectors are required to give authoritative advice to resolve disputes such as consumer water quality complaints or disagreements between the parties involved with the regulation or operation of water supplies;

Inspectors have a key role in maintaining wholesome supplies and protecting public health; Inspectors may have a role in providing advice in relation to private water supplies.

Person specification

Successful applicants will have an enquiring mind and be motivated and dedicated to improving the approach by water companies in producing a wholesome product and protecting public health.

Candidates should be aware that there is a requirement for:

Technical knowledge of engineering, biology and chemistry related to drinking water quality;

Knowledge of effective governance of risk assessment and mitigation systems;

Ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with a range of stakeholders and colleagues;

Good IT skills with the ability and desire to analyse and interpret large sets of data and use of associated software (e.g. Excel, Power BI).

Licences

As travelling is an integral part of the job, often to areas not served by public transport, candidates should have a valid driving licence.

Qualifications

The role requires the candidate to have a degree or equivalent qualification in a subject related to water supply or water quality.

Memberships

Successful candidates will be expected to hold, or already be working towards, chartership with a relevant professional body.

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Changing and Improving
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

  • Changing and Improving
  • Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

  • Learning and development tailored to your role
  • An environment with flexible working options
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Blended working

Defra operates a blended working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.

Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs.  There is flexibility to split the working week, spending minimum of 40-60% in the workplace, unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or you are a contractual home worker.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a name-blind (anonymous) CV, with details of your full job history, experience and qualifications, behaviour statements and a personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. Interviews to be held remotely by MS Teams.

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on behaviours, strengths and a written exercise. The written exercise needs no prior preparation and is used to measure an applicant’s experience in the water industry.

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.

Location

Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Internal (core Defra) employees can apply for this role and choose to remain in their current location or to be based in one of the advertised Defra hub locations. All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised Defra hub locations. Defra continues to support a blended working model and candidates are currently expected to attend their office base for 40-60% of the week. Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.

If you are successful in your application and your base working location is London, please be aware that Defra’s Nobel House Office at 17 Smith Square, London will be closing in December 2023.  

This means that Defra new joiners will be located alongside existing colleagues in offices a short distance away from Nobel House in our other office at 2 Marsham St, London.  

To work from 2 Marsham Street, you will require the higher level of CTC clearance. Therefore, confirmation of appointment to the advertised post will be dependent upon successful CTC clearance being confirmed as part of pre-employment checks.  

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Working Pattern

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to DEFRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. 

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

Internal Fraud Database Check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
  • relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

  • Name :Suzanne Calmels
  • Email :suzanne.calmels@defra.gov.uk
  • Telephone :0330 041 6501

Recruitment team :

  • Email :defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission:
Click here to visit Civil Service Commission


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

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