The Ruhrverband, one of Germany’s large water management companies, is hiring a Water Protection Officer (m/f/d) for its Technical Services Competence Center in Essen. You will act as the statutory officer under the Water Resources Act (WHG), monitor wastewater plants and discharges and advise colleagues, with public-sector job security, collective pay and 32 vacation days. Applications close on 16 November 2026.
About the Ruhrverband
Mission: Clean rivers and lakes in the Ruhr catchment for over 100 years
Team: About 1,200 employees
Reach: Secures drinking water for 4.6 million people
Assets: More than 800 technical facilities, including dams, treatment plants and sewer networks
Benefits & Career Opportunity
Security: Safe job with a public-law employer and company pension
Pay: Collective pay under TV-WW/NW including a bonus system
Time: 39-hour week, 32 vacation days and flexible time accounts
Extras: Public transport ticket subsidy, health management and a canteen at the Essen headquarters
Position Overview
As Water Protection Officer, you carry out the statutory role under the Water Resources Act (WHG). You monitor compliance with rules, conditions and orders in the interest of water protection, and inspect wastewater plants and discharges. You push for suitable wastewater treatment methods and proper use of residues, and for internal ways to avoid or reduce wastewater volumes. You inform and advise employees on water pollution and protection, write reports and statements, work with authorities and take part in permit procedures. You also shape reporting chains and emergency procedures for incidents and link them to warning and alert plans.
Why This Role Matters: Water protection officers carry real legal responsibility, and this role sits inside a company that supplies drinking water to 4.6 million people. A public employer, tariff pay with bonuses, 32 vacation days and flexible time accounts make it stable and family-friendly.
Key Responsibilities
Legal Role & Monitoring
- Act as water protection officer under the Water Resources Act (WHG)
- Monitor compliance with rules, conditions and orders
- Inspect and check wastewater plants and discharges
Improvement & Advice
- Push for suitable wastewater treatment and proper use of residues
- Promote internal methods to avoid or reduce wastewater
- Inform and advise staff on water pollution and protection
Reporting & Emergencies
- Write reports and statements
- Coordinate with authorities and contribute to permit procedures
- Shape reporting chains and emergency procedures for incidents and link them to warning plans
Qualifications
Education
- Engineering degree, preferably civil or environmental engineering with a focus on water management, or comparable proven skills and experience
Experience & Knowledge
- Several years of experience proving the required expertise
- Ideally a water protection officer course, or willingness to take regular refresher courses
- Very good knowledge of water protection, water and environmental law and hazardous substances
- Skills in planning, building and operating municipal wastewater systems
Personal & Other
- Very good MS Office skills
- Confident, assertive, responsible, independent and analytical
- German at C1 level or higher and driving licence class B
About the Ruhrverband
The Ruhrverband is one of Germany’s large water management companies and has kept rivers and lakes in the Ruhr catchment clean for over 100 years. With about 1,200 employees it secures drinking water for 4.6 million people and runs more than 800 technical facilities. It promotes equal opportunities, prefers women with equal suitability in technical jobs and welcomes applications from severely disabled people.
How to Apply: Apply online through www.ruhrverband.de/karriere by 16.11.2026. For process questions call HR at 0201/178-1391 or -1394; for questions about the job call Dr. Härtel at 0201/178-2830.
Who Should Apply?
- Environmental Engineers: With water law knowledge
- Civil Engineers: With a water management focus
- Wastewater Specialists: Ready for a statutory role
- Compliance Officers: In environmental protection
- Ruhr Area Professionals: Seeking a public employer
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