Volunteering at IWater

Our volunteers are the lifeblood of the Institute of Water, and without them, it would be impossible to function. They dedicate their time and effort by contributing in various ways to help us thrive.

About us

Our Volunteers

Our work is underpinned by our dedicated volunteers who bring their day-to-day experience in the sector to run and provide our core offerings. We welcome volunteers at all career stages. Our volunteers range from apprentices and graduates just starting out in the water industry to seasoned professionals with decades of experience.

Become an IWater Volunteer

There are many benefits to becoming an IWater Volunteer. You can enhance your CV, improve your CPD, connect with like-minded professionals, give something back to your industry, and develop your skillset.

Our volunteers tell us that we provide a place for them to belong, opportunities for them to shine, and a chance for them to grow.

We’re dedicated to providing volunteers with the recognition and thanks they deserve. So, why not join our volunteering community and contribute to something you’re passionate about?

Volunteer Testimonials

Find out from our volunteers themselves why getting involved is so rewarding!

“When I realised I had more to say and do about water than my day job could fit, I did not count on Institute of Water and its volunteers being so welcoming when I asked to help. I’ve since seen the care and support of volunteers who harness their talents and the generosity of their companies to create a community that you don’t read about in the headlines… but should.

As I’ve put my time and energy into IWater, I’ve gotten out encouragement, confidence, and genuine relationships. I’ve had the privilege of chairing a wonderful committee, mentoring clever young people, and meeting the most exciting IWater friends and partners.”

Evan Joanette FIWater, Market Development Manager, MOSL

Midlands Area Committee member

“I get great satisfaction from being a professional registration assessor and mentor to applicants, hearing about their dedication and experiences. Since being VP for Science, I have also loved the opportunity to get more involved with the science community from all areas of the water industry not just my area of expertise but learning more about areas that I really haven’t had the exposure to in the past. I would recommend volunteering to anyone looking to broaden their experience and understanding.”

Claire Pollard CSci MIWater, Leep Utilities

Vice President Science, Science Panel member, Science Assessor, Professional Standards Committee member and CPD Assessor

“I always thought that I wasn’t an institutional type of person. Someone who wouldn’t join any organisation that would have me as a member, to misquote Groucho Marx. Ten years ago, I was finally persuaded to join IWater.

In those 10 years I’ve learnt so much and met so many interesting people – all of them passionate about and proud of working in water. Membership and volunteering have given me opportunities to further my career in ways I could never have imagined. And it’s been fun!“

Professor Ian Barker CEnv FIWater

IWater Board member and Chair of the Professional Standards Committee

“I volunteer for IWater because it feels like I am part of a community in my work life.”

Tamsyn Kennedy CEnv MIWater, Sustainability Excellence Associate, Scottish Water

Environment Assessor, Scottish Area Committee member and Events Committee member

“I began volunteering as a committee member as I was looking for opportunities to develop outside my day job. The more I became involved the more I wanted to do, as so many further opportunities to grow and progress came up. I’ve taken on additional committee roles, engaged with national groups and become an assessor. Not only has it provided me with opportunities to increase my network, but volunteering has also given me the chance to give back by running and supporting events for our members and providing feedback to professional registration applicants. IWater really does embrace the ‘family feeling’ with everybody I’ve worked with being so friendly and supportive.”

Michelle Munden CSci MIWater, Laboratory Operations Manager, Anglian Water

Science Assessor and Eastern Area Committee member

Volunteering Roles

There’s a range of volunteering opportunities for IWater members, catering to different skills and availability. Learn more below:

Area Committee members – nominated by their area’s members to promote IWater and support their area’s members. We have eight regional areas, each with their own committee.
Assessors – registered professionals in Engineering, Environment, or Science, who support and assess candidates to ensure they meet all of the required competencies.
CPD Assessors – support candidates through the annual CPD audit.
EDI Committee members – made up of EDI Champions from each Area Committee, focused on promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.
Events Committee members – made up of Events Leads from each Area Committee, focused on coordinating events for members.
Finance Committee members – made up of members, Board members and staff. They’re responsible for all matters relating to the financial affairs of IWater.
Members of our Board of Directors – elected by IWater members to serve on our Board.
Mentors – members who provide support to other members to grow, acquire new skills and insights, and develop their potential.
Professional Standards Committee members – made up of the VPs, a Board member and up to eight other selected members to offer learning to all IWater members and monitor the competence of our professionally qualified members.
Women’s Network steering group members – recruited from IWater’s membership to attract and support women in the sector.
Young Professionals’ Network Committee members – those nominated to be a YPN Rep from each Area Committee, focused on supporting and engaging younger members.

How to Become a Volunteer

Are you a prospective:

Area Committee member? Get in touch with your local Area Committee. Depending on your role, you might also become an EDI Committee Member, Events Committee Member, or a YPN Committee Member.
Assessor? Email or call us at 01914 220 088.
Board member? You’ll need to be appointed at our AGM.
CPD Assessor? Email or call us at 01914 220 088.
Finance Committee member or Professional Standards Committee member? We will advertise any vacancies.
Mentor? Sign up here.
Women’s Network Steering Group member? Email or call us at 01914 220 088.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community of IWater volunteers. Please take a look at the Current Vacancies section of this page or get in touch by calling us on 01914 220 088 or emailing us.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer in any capacity, you must first be an IWater member – join us today.

Current Vacancies

We’re excited to share a range of volunteering opportunities open exclusively to IWater members. There’s something for everyone to get involved in, no matter your background or experience. Click on one of the opportunities below to discover more.

Please call us at 0191 422 0088 or email us if you have any questions about our current vacancies.

FAQs

We’re here to support you in getting involved as an IWater volunteer. To help guide you, we’ve pulled together some frequently asked questions. If you have any further queries, please call us on 0191 422 0088 or email  info@instituteofwater.org.uk and a member of our Central Team will be happy to assist.

Please see the ‘How to Become a Volunteer‘ section on this page. Alternatively, please call us at 0191 422 0088 or email us.

Anyone who is a member of the Institute of Water can become a volunteer.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community of IWater volunteers and welcome interest in volunteering from all IWater members.

Volunteers support us in every aspect of everything we do – from knowledge sharing, helping to upskill members, and upholding our values, to running events, supporting and assessing professional registration candidates, helping IWater to grow, and helping to set the direction for the future of IWater. We hugely appreciate the work, effort and dedication of all our volunteers because without them it would be impossible for us to function.

We understand that we are privileged within the volunteering space, in that our volunteers work in the sector in which we operate (water) and that many of our volunteers are supported by their companies to do so.

Please read through this webpage to help you decide whether you would like to become a volunteer for IWater. The ‘Why Become an IWater Volunteer‘ and the ‘Volunteer Testimonials‘ sections on this page give an insight into the benefits of volunteering and why some of our current members volunteer. You could also talk to some of our current volunteers or email us with any questions you have.

Please email us and we would be happy to help!