Catchment Advisor

The Role

To manage, deliver, monitor, and report on catchment-specific advice and projects aimed at improving and protecting raw water quality and quantity in both groundwater and surface water sources.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with stakeholders active in UU’s drinking water catchments (e.g., farmers, landowners, local authorities).
• Implement targeted interventions and best practices to reduce pollution risks.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of catchment-based solutions.
• Report on progress and outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.

What you will be doing

• Provide tailored advice and support to farmers, landowners and other land managers to promote sustainable practices that protect and enhance water quality.
• Develop farm management plans and support applications for environmental stewardship and improvement schemes.
• Carry out catchment investigations, fieldwork, incident response activities, and environmental sampling to assess risks and validate interventions.
• Analyse and report findings, presenting evidence and delivering engagement activities, workshops and events to a wide range of stakeholders and community groups.
• Monitor, assess and map environmental risks using tools such as GIS, ensuring delivery of actions aligned with Drinking Water Safety Plans and environmental programme objectives.

What we are looking for

• A further education qualification in Agriculture, Land and Water Management, or Environmental Science (or a closely related discipline).
• Excellent understanding of UK agricultural and land management practices, with demonstrable experience working in or alongside the agricultural sector.
• Strong working knowledge of diffuse water pollution issues, including nutrient runoff, pesticide use, and sediment control, with practical experience in catchment management strategies.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and geographic information systems (GIS), particularly ArcGIS, for mapping, spatial analysis, and project planning.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, concise, and impactful reports for technical and non-technical audiences with a Full UK Driving Licence .
• Highly organised and self-motivated, with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively, manage multiple projects, and inspire collaboration among stakeholders.

About the team

• The team works across approximately 125,000 hectares of non-owned catchment in Cheshire and North Wales.
• Works collaboratively with a wide range of partners, stakeholders, and regulators to improve raw water quality and safeguard water resources.
• Acts as the critical link between land management and water treatment, ensuring that upstream interventions support downstream water quality outcomes.

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.