Higher Level Operational Scientific Apprenticeship

Higher Level Operational Scientific Apprenticeship

If you're passionate about science, engineering, and making a real difference, this is the perfect place to start your career with NI Water's Wastewater Process Advice team!

This three-year Higher Level Operational Scientific Apprenticeship (HLA) is designed to provide you with real life, on the job experience, to help you develop new skills and gain the knowledge needed to enable you to build a successful career in NI Water.

We're responsible for supporting wastewater treatment across Northern Ireland, and we're excited to offer an opportunity for a Higher Level Apprentice to join our team.

This programme is designed to give you hands-on training and develop your skills in key areas such as microbiology, chemistry, and engineering principles for wastewater treatment.

As part of our fantastic scientific team, you'll work with cutting-edge technology to monitor and improve the performance of wastewater treatment works, helping to protect the environment and public health.

You'll play a key role in protecting Northern Ireland's environment by travelling around our wastewater assets carrying out quality tests that ensure our wastewater treatment meets strict standards. You'll also gain hands-on experience in sample preparation and laboratory analysis, using modern techniques and equipment.

This is a fantastic opportunity to earn while you learn. You'll receive practical, on-the-job training, guided by a dedicated and experienced mentor, while working towards a debt-free foundation degree.

Start your career in science and engineering with real-world experience and a qualification that opens doors!

NI Water offers a competitive salary and benefits package from day one and we will even subsidise your driving lessons to help you truly get in the driving seat of your career!

Upon successful completion of the programme, HLAs will have the opportunity to progress to junior management roles or senior technical role in the Wastewater Process Advice Team

Please refer to the Candidate Brief below for further details of role responsibilities.

Applicants MUST be able to demonstrate in their application and where necessary at interview:

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

1. Candidates will be required to undertake competency-based tests within a computer based assessment. These tests will assess candidates' essential skills, literacy, numeracy and other key aptitudes for the role. In order to progress to the next stage of the selection process, candidates must achieve a satisfactory score in all key areas. All candidates must provide a personal email address on their application form which will be required to undertake the computer-based assessment skills tests.

2. By the 13th August 2026, meet all entry requirements, including attainment of the qualifications necessary for one of the accepted courses of study as set out below:

• Applied Science - Bioscience Pathway Level 5 Foundation Degree at Southern Regional College (SRC) based in Portadown foundation-degree-2

Or

• Applied Science (Bioscience) (Level 5 Foundation Degree (FdSc) at North West Regional College based in Derry

3. Have the right to live and work in the UK. Please note NI Water is unable to provide sponsorship for visa applicants, as such applicants must hold the right to work in the UK to be eligible for this role. You will be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK before an offer of employment is made.

4. Access to a form of transport which will enable them to meet the requirements of the post in full, including attendance at college courses.

What is on Offer

Salary

Starting salary for the role is £23,443 per annum

Location

The successful candidate can opt to be based in one of the following NI Water locations:

• Seagoe office, 41 Seagoe Ind Est, Seagoe Lower, Portadown, Armagh, BT63 5QE
• Magherafelt WwTW, Killyneese Road, Castledawson, Magherafelt, BT45 8DS
• Ballymena WwTW, 39 Slaght Rd, Ballymena, BT42 2JE
• Belfast WwTW, 2a Herdman Channel Road, Belfast, Antrim, BT3 9AR

What we Offer

• Generous annual leave and public/privilege holidays
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Hybrid Working (applicable to some of our roles after three months following onboarding and training)
• Occupational sick pay
• Employee assistance programmes
• Cycle to work scheme
• One of the largest corporate volunteering schemes in NI
• Award winning health and wellbeing programme which focuses on supporting four key area of employee health; Physical, Mental, Social and Financial

How to Apply

To submit your application, please click APPLY NOW.

For additional information about the role please download a Candidate Brief below.

Closing date for submission of Applications: 16th February 2026 at 10.00am