Trade Effluent Regulatory Officer

About the Role

The officer leads the regulation and monitoring of trade effluent discharges across South Kent, protecting the environment, assets, people, and communities. Acting as the dedicated point of contact, they build relationships with traders ranging from micro‑breweries to large manufacturers, ensuring compliance with consent requirements under the Water Industry Act 1991. They set up and maintain consent documentation, support accurate billing, provide service to internal and external stakeholders, and assist in investigating pollution incidents. The ideal candidate is scientifically minded, curious, confident in investigations, and adept at balancing technical analysis with customer engagement while representing Southern Water as the regional technical expert. Key responsibilities include assessing and processing consent applications, monitoring and reviewing consents and discharges, planning and carrying out discharge monitoring, managing trade effluent billing, identifying risks and un‑consented discharges, and supporting continuous improvement of processes and policies. The role also supports the out‑of‑hours rota for pollution incidents. • Assess and process trade effluent consent applications per the Water Industry Act 1991 and market codes. • Monitor, review, and maintain consents and discharge compliance through structured programs. • Plan and execute discharge monitoring, including sampling, analysis, and customer communication. • Manage trade effluent billing by maintaining accurate mass balances and handling account setups and enquiries. • Identify risks, un‑consented discharges, and growth impacts; support continuous improvement of processes and policies. • Participate in out‑of‑hours rota for pollution incident response. • Apply sampling and laboratory analytical techniques, understanding their limitations. • Communicate and negotiate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸consent processing
• ▸compliance monitoring
• ▸discharge monitoring
• ▸lab analysis
• ▸billing management
• ▸incident response

What You Bring

Essential requirements are knowledge of sampling and laboratory analytical techniques, excellent communication and negotiation skills, strong organisational and self‑management abilities, flexibility and prioritisation in a challenging environment, numeracy, IT and analytical skills, and the ability to assess short‑ and long‑term risk and make value‑based decisions. A degree in a relevant science or engineering discipline or equivalent experience is required. Desirable qualifications include knowledge of municipal and commercial wastewater processes and legislation, and experience constructing complex mass balance calculations for industrial effluents. • Demonstrate strong organisational, self‑management, and prioritisation skills in a challenging environment. • Utilise numeracy, IT, and analytical abilities to assess short‑ and long‑term risks and make value‑based decisions. • Hold a degree in a relevant science or engineering discipline or equivalent experience. • Desirable: Understand municipal and commercial wastewater processes and relevant legislation. • Desirable: Construct complex mass balance calculations for industrial effluent production.

Requirements

• ▸degree
• ▸sampling
• ▸mass balance
• ▸wastewater
• ▸analytical
• ▸communication

Benefits

Closing Date 09/02/2026. The Trade Effluent Regulatory Officer role is based in Canterbury, Kent, with a hybrid schedule (four days on site and the remainder working from home). A driving licence is essential for site visits. This permanent position offers up to £50,000 per annum plus a business needs car. Southern Water is investing £7.8 bn between 2025‑30 to enhance resilience, sustainability and service excellence, offering a unique opportunity to join a transformative organisation. The company fosters an inclusive, diversity‑focused culture, providing opportunities for personal growth, professional development, and involvement in 24/7 incident support. Employees are encouraged to bring passion, drive and fresh perspectives to shape a fair and positive future for all. • Salary up to £50,000 per annum plus company‑provided car. • Hybrid working model (four days on site, remainder remote). • Inclusive, diversity‑focused workplace with opportunities for personal growth and professional development.

Work Environment

Field