Do you thrive in high-pressure environments and have a passion for protecting communities and the environment? Are you ready to play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of wastewater systems across a major utility network?
We’re looking for a Shift Control Room Operator to join our Wastewater Control Room team, where you’ll be at the heart of real-time decision-making that keeps our systems running safely and efficiently.

WHO ARE WE?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.
Learn more about our purpose and values
Working at Thames Water
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.
Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.
We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.
When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING AS A SHIFT CONTROL ROOM OPERATOR

As a Control Room Operator, you’ll work within the Wastewater Control team as the first line of defence in identifying and responding to operational issues across our wastewater network. This is a critical role in safeguarding our customers from flooding and protecting the environment from pollution.
As part of our System Operations team, you’ll oversee the performance of over 366 sewage treatment works and 7,000+ pumping stations across London and the Thames Valley. You’ll use cutting-edge monitoring tools and collaborate with field teams to respond to alarms, prioritise risks, and coordinate urgent responses.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Monitoring alarms and system data to detect issues across pumping stations, sewer networks, and treatment works.
• Coordinating urgent field responses to prevent flooding and environmental harm.
• Logging decisions, actions, and safety updates accurately and consistently.
• Escalating high-risk incidents to the appropriate teams and managers.
• Supporting colleagues during high workload periods and contributing to a smooth shift handover.
• Using safety systems and emergency protocols to protect field staff.
• This role is based at Reading - Kemble Court, RG2 6AD.
• You’ll work on a 6-week rolling shift pattern with 12-hour day and night shifts, including weekends. Across the 6 weeks, you’ll have both a full week and a full two weeks off. Annual leave is built into this pattern.
• This role is a 12-month fixed-term contract/secondment.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING TO THE ROLE

We’re looking for someone calm under pressure, highly organised, and confident in making decisions based on real-time data.

The essential criteria to help you succeed in this role are:

• A proactive, methodical approach to managing high volumes of work.
• Strong analytical skills with a good level of numeracy.
• Ability to work under pressure and make sound decisions quickly.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Competence with IT systems and Microsoft Office
• A willingness to learn and adopt new technologies and systems.
• Operational experience and an understanding of quality management standards (desirable).
• A full UK driving licence to support work from disaster recovery sites (desirable).

This is your opportunity to be part of a team that makes a real difference every day. You’ll play a key role in protecting public health and the environment, while developing your skills in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment. For the right candidate, the shift pattern offers a unique opportunity to have two weeks off every six weeks.

• Competitive salary up to £45,000 per annum, depending on skills & experience.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance