Catchment Advisor

Passionate About Farming, Water & People? Become a Catchment Advisor!

About us

Work Type: Onsite
Job Location: Huntington Water Treatment Works, Aldford Road, Huntington, Chester, CH3 6DQ
Working Hours: 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts – gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Job Purpose

Are you passionate about farming and the environment? We’re looking for agriculture and land management graduates who can speak the language of farmers and work hand-in-hand with them to improve water quality across our catchments.

This is more than a desk job, as a Catchment Advisor, you’ll be out on the ground — visiting farms, advising on land practices, and helping shape sustainable solutions that benefit both agriculture and the water environment. If you’re a great communicator with a solid understanding of UK farming and a drive to improve the environment, we want to hear from you!

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.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Organise and deliver tailored advice to farmers and land managers, including councils, golf courses, caravan sites, and equine holdings.
• Promote and support land management changes that protect and enhance the water environment.
• Assist in the development of farm management plans and applications for agri-environment schemes.
• Conduct investigations, field trials, and incident response activities within catchments.
• Collect and analyse samples (water, soil, plant, manure) to support and validate catchment interventions.
• Report findings and present evidence to internal and external stakeholders.
• Plan and deliver presentations, workshops, and community engagement activities (e.g., WI, gardening groups, equine groups, farmers, students).
• Represent the programme at markets, meetings, and events — including occasional evening and weekend work.
• Monitor and update risks within the Drinking Water Safety Plans (DWSP).
• Deliver actions aligned with DWSP and the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP).
• Map identified risks using GIS tools to support spatial analysis and decision-making

Technical Skills & Experience

• 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.
• Highly organised and self-motivated, with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively, manage multiple projects, and inspire collaboration among stakeholders.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• A further education qualification in Agriculture, Land and Water Management, or Environmental Science (or a closely related discipline).
• A valid driving licence is required due to the field-based nature of the role and travel across catchment areas.

Visa sponsorship may not be available for this role

About the Team

• The team manages 56,000 hectares of owned catchment land and approximately 500,000 hectares of non-owned catchment across the region.
• 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.