Job Title: Biosolids Quality Compliance Scientist

Location: Durrington (Sussex)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37

Salary: From £34,100 based on skills and experience

Full UK Driving Licence Required

About the role:

Working within the Wastewater Treatment & Maintenance function and reporting to the Biosolids Compliance Manager, the Biosolids Quality Compliance Scientist (BQCS) is responsible for ensuring that all treated sludge complies with HACCP conditions as defined in the BAS standard and thereby maintains compliant Biosolids recycling operations and the sludge to land recycling outlet within a defined operational region.

Biosolids provides soil health benefits and nutrients for growing crops, as well as sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

It is commonly used in agriculture and other land application operations in the Southern Water operating region.

What you will be responsible for:

The role is 50% field based and 50% office based. Field time is split evenly between attendance on Southern Water sites and attendance at land application sites, commonly customer properties (being farms or other equivalent agricultural units).

BQCS has a methodical approach to tasks and are motivated by achieving excellent quality standards and enjoy controlling and interacting with complex interrelated systems. The successful candidate should understand the quality management principles and can apply production planning and process monitoring techniques in order to maintain stable systems of work.

They are able to interrogate complex systems, understand interdependencies between processes, and identify critical variables that can impact system stability.

The BQCS may have a scientific or engineering background or equivalent professional experience in agriculture or food production and works within the framework of a formal quality management system and is able to use their initiative and subject matter knowledge to identify deviations from expected operating parameters and implement corrective measures.

• Issuing certificates of Biosolids compliance in accordance with the BAS standard using the Southern Water Biosolids compliance system (BIO)
• Regular dialogue site managers and operators
• Establish and maintain in-person presence on Biosolids production sites
• Biosolids and sludge sampling
• Daily monitoring of STC process parameters and proactive intervention
• Investigate management system breaches and write breach reports
• Maintain a comprehensive annual audit activity schedule
• Biosolids stockpile audits
• Biosolids spreading audits
• End-to-end data audits with service providers
• Weighcell calibration audits
• Sampling methodology audits
• Soil sampling audits

What you’ll bring to the role:

• A self-starter who is motivated by solving complex operational problems
• Full UK driving license and access to a vehicle
• Scientific/engineering/farming background
• Professional waste management experience (FACTs certified, Wamitab/CoTC/CMS preferable, other relevant professional experience using EWC LoW)
• Personal and operational risk identification and assessment
• Bachelors degree or demonstrable professional experience
• Good understanding of wastewater and sludge treatment process
• Operational and situational awareness of STC plant and process
• Mathematical, computational, statistical competence
• Experience of formal quality management procedures (e.g. ISO9001/equivalent)
• Methodical and organised
• Good planning skills
• Good problem-solving skills
• Systems literate (Pi, MS Excel, telemetric systems
• Scientific/engineering degree

Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.

You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation

"Our mission is to protect and enhance life through water—and we need passionate people to help us achieve it. If you’re inspired by our purpose and believe you can contribute, apply today. You don’t need to meet every criterion; what matters most is your drive to make a difference."

If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details on our Southern Water Careers page.

Our Commitment to Diversity:

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Additional information:

In line with Southern Water’s security requirements, successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record check (DBS) and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years.

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all pre-employment checks, including security vetting.

Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment. Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation.