The Scottish Government
Drinking Water Specialist
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Job Opportunity
Do you want to use your technical expertise to protect drinking water quality and make a real difference to public health in Scotland?
The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland is looking for a Technical Specialist to join the Drinking Water Quality Regulation Team to support the regulation of drinking water quality. This is a key role in protecting public health and maintaining confidence in drinking water through strong, effective regulation.
As the Drinking Water Specialist, you will assess compliance with regulatory requirements, provide expert technical advice, and carry out regulatory assessments and investigations. The focus of the role is to drive continual improvement in drinking water quality by shaping policy, guidance, and regulatory decisions that make a real impact.
Responsibilities
- Lead technical inspections of Scottish Water assets and activities, engaging with all levels of the organisation, recommending improvements and reporting on findings.
- Lead liaison and supervision of Local Authorities in their duties concerning private water supplies.
- Classify and investigate water quality incidents, reporting findings and initiating and managing enforcement action where appropriate.
- Provide expert specialist advice to assist with policy development and drinking water research, delivering technical leadership on key strategies.
- Act as a credible, independent source of advice on drinking water quality to Scottish ministers, industry stakeholders and members of the public.
- Assist with the management of the public profile of the DWQR, including website, correspondence and media relations.
Qualifications
You must have a Degree or equivalent in a relevant science or engineering subject (BSc (or MSc) within a scientific discipline such as biology, biological sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, medical microbiology, biomedical sciences, or various engineering disciplines). Candidates should (as minimum) be showing willingness to gain chartership with a relevant industry body (e.g. C.Si, Institute of Water).
You must also hold a valid licence which enables you to drive in the UK as many of the locations are not accessible by public transport.
Please confirm in your CV that you hold the qualifications required.
Success Profile
Technical / Professional Skills
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- Building and applying knowledge - Uses experience and expertise to assess Scottish Water’s performance against regulatory frameworks.
- Technical Oversight and Management - Investigates technical problems methodically to arrive at clear and defensible conclusions, with outcomes expressed succinctly and credibly.
Experience
Previous experience in a similar role, including relevant operational experience in the water industry or supply chain.
Behaviours
- Communicating and influencing – Level 3
- Managing a quality service – Level 3
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here Success Profiles
How To Apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 7 September 2026 however this may be subject to change.
In the event of a high volume of applications, candidates will have their applications initially assessed against the Building and applying knowledge criteria above. Candidates who pass this initial sift will have their applications fully assessed against the listed criteria.
In the event of a tied score at interview, performance in the Technical Oversight and Management criteria will be applied to determine merit order.
Recruitment Principles
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.
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About Us
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, observing the Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Working pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, and read about the Government Vetting Charter, or about all the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.
Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application.
Equality statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
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