Shift Control Room Operator

As a Shift Control Room Operator, you’ll be part of our Wastewater Control team, acting as the first line of defence when things go wrong across our wastewater network. This is a vital role that helps protect our customers from flooding and safeguards the environment from pollution.

Working within our System Operations team, you’ll oversee the performance of more than 366 sewage treatment works and over 7,000 pumping stations across London and the Thames Valley. Using advanced monitoring systems, you’ll work closely with field teams to respond to alarms, assess risk, and coordinate urgent operational responses.

This is fixed term contract for 6 months

What you’ll be doing as a Shift Control Room Operator

• Monitoring alarms and system data 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.

Base location: Reading, Kemble Court, RG2 6AD
Working hours: 6-week rolling shift pattern with 12-hour day and night shifts, including weekends. Across the cycle, you’ll have both a full week and a full 2 weeks off, with annual leave built into the pattern.

What you should bring to the role

• Experience working with SCADA systems.
• Knowledge of pumping stations, wastewater treatment works, or network operations.
• 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.
• Competence using IT systems, including Microsoft Office.
• Operational experience with an understanding of quality management standards would be beneficial.

What’s in it for you?

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 and 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.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

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.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.