Civil Engineering Technician Grade I

The Role

Reporting to an Engineer Grade II or Engineer Grade III, the work of the Civil Engineering Technician Grade I in the Hydrometric Section primarily involves the collection, processing and management of hydrometric data, and the installation, monitoring and maintenance of hydrometric gauging stations.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities of the Role

The principal duties of the Civil Engineering Technician Grade I in Hydrometric Section are:

• Operating and maintaining of hydrometric stations, including calibration, data download/collection and data validation;

• Undertaking flow measurements at hydrometric stations and where required;

• Monitoring and maintenance of rain gauges, including calibration, data download/collection and data validation;

• Establishing new hydrometric stations and rain gauges;

• Installing, commissioning, operation and maintenance of telemetry equipment;

• Examining, processing, quality assessing and management of hydrometric and rainfall data;

• Supervising operational staff and taking on of duties associated with line management contractors where required;

• Planning, setting out and supervision of works on hydraulic control structures and monitoring stations, measurement and recording of works progress, assuming role of Project Supervisor as required;

• Undertaking of surveys of rivers, lakes and coastal locations, and associated infrastructure such as embankments and channel structures, and preparing drawings;

• Setting out and levelling of construction-related projects;

• Implementing Safety systems and undertaking risk assessments;

• Undertaking general administration duties;

• Undertaking technical auditing of peers;

• Training and mentoring new staff including apprentices, and students on temporary placement;

• Developing technical excellence in the use specialised equipment and systems;

• Undertaking other field and office duties as required to assist with the performance of the functions of the Hydrometric Section.

Please note:

The above is a general guide to the key duties and responsibilities of the role and is not an exhaustive description. Other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the role may also be assigned from time to time.

Arterial Drainage Maintenance and Construction Section

The Arterial Drainage Maintenance and Construction Section is responsible for the management of the maintenance requirements on drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 and for the construction and maintenance of capital flood relief schemes executed under the 1945 & 1995 Arterial Drainage Acts. The Section is responsible also for the maintenance of coastal protection schemes completed under the Coast Protection Act, 1963.

The Role

Reporting to an Engineer Grade II or Engineer Grade III, the work of the Civil Engineering Technician Grade I in the Arterial Drainage Maintenance and Construction Section is to provide support to the Engineer in the development, implementation and supervision of all aspects of the maintenance and capital works programmes.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities of the Role

The principal duties of the Civil Engineering Technician Grade I in Arterial Drainage Maintenance and Construction Section are:

• Undertaking surveys of rivers, lakes and coastal locations, and infrastructure such as embankments and channel structures, and preparing drawings;

• Setting out and levelling of construction-related projects;

• Investigating of complaints and claims;

• Preparing and monitoring of works programmes;

• Measuring, supervising and recording of works progress;

• Implementing Safety Systems and undertaking risk assessments;

• Supervising operational staff and taking on of duties associated with line management and contractors where required;

• Supporting general administration duties;

• Undertaking other field and office duties as required to assist with the performance of the functions of the Arterial Drainage Maintenance and Construction Section.

Please note:

The above is a general guide to the key duties and responsibilities of the role and is not an exhaustive description. Other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the role may also be assigned from time to time.

Survey and Coastal Monitoring Section

The Survey and Coastal Monitoring Section is responsible for the development and implementation of coastal monitoring programmes, analysis of coastal monitoring data, research and piloting of innovative monitoring techniques and development and management of a coastal defence asset database and asset management system. The Section is also responsible for the inspection of schemes constructed under the Coast Protection Act, 1963.

The Role

Reporting to an Engineer Grade II or Engineer Grade III, the work of the Civil Engineering Technician Grade I in the Survey and Coastal Monitoring Section primarily involves the collection, processing, quality control and management of coastal monitoring data.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities of the Role

The principal duties of the Civil Engineering Technician Grade I in the Survey and Coastal Monitoring Section are:

• Undertaking of coastal monitoring surveys and preparation of survey reports and drawings;

• Reviewing and quality control of survey data, including data provided by external contractors;

• Preparing and monitoring of works programmes;

• Measuring, supervising and recording of works progress;

• Implementing Safety Systems and undertaking risk assessments;

• Supporting general administration duties;

• Undertaking other field and office duties as required to assist with the performance of the functions of the Survey and Coastal Monitoring Section.

Please note:

The above is a general guide to the key duties and responsibilities of the role and is not an exhaustive description. Other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the role may also be assigned from time to time.

Working Environment

The work in all three sections is divided between field and office. Travelling is envisaged in all areas of work and successful candidates may be required to stay away from their base location overnight on a regular basis. Travel and subsistence will be paid in accordance with Civil Service regulations.

Civil Engineering Technician Grade I’s will typically be able to work in accordance with the OPW’s Blended Working Policy, subject to business needs.

Specialist Equipment

Successful candidates may be required to use the following specialist equipment and facilities in the course of their duties:

• Computer software systems for the logging, processing, analysis, transfer (via telemetry), and reporting of hydrometric, meteorological, environmental and survey data;

• Surface water level, rainfall and water quality monitoring equipment;

• Flow gauging equipment and associated remote control propulsion units;

• Conventional and modern surveying and levelling equipment including use of UAVs (drones);

• Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

Training and Development

The OPW is committed to ensuring that all staff members are given the support and assistance required to realise their full potential within the organisation. As part of its strategy to meet this objective, Flood Risk Management Services provides opportunities for staff to develop professional skills and knowledge over a wide range of competencies. OPW staff have access to a wide range of Civil Service-wide learning and development opportunities, to support and develop core civil service competencies.

In addition, OPW Flood Risk Management Services is an Engineers Ireland Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Accredited Employer, and professional and technical staff are required to actively participate in the scheme including the objective of lifelong learning. There is a formal mentoring programme in place for all new engineering entrants. The programme is integrated to the existing Performance Management and Development System (PMDS), and into the CPD programme.

Professional, technical, ICT and management training is provided to keep staff up to date on relevant developments. Other learning opportunities, including support for academic studies, may also be provided.

Office Locations and Vacancies

A panel will be formed from this competition to fill current and future vacancies that may arise for Civil Engineering Technician Grade I in the following counties:

Cork (Cork City or Mallow)

Donegal (Lifford)

Dublin

Galway (Headford)

Kilkenny (Kilkenny City)

Limerick (Mungret)

Mayo (Ballina)

Meath (Trim and Newtown)

Sligo (Sligo Town) and

Westmeath (Athlone and Mullingar).

Salary Range: €55,081* - €67,618

*NOTE: Appointments will be made at the minimum point of the salary scale. The rate of remuneration is not subject to negotiation.

Starting Annual Leave: 23 days

Hours of attendance: 41 hours and 15 minutes gross per week

Essential

Candidates must have on or before 15th of October 2026:

(a) A qualification at minimum Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) (or NARIC Ireland Foreign Qualifications equivalent) in Civil Engineering

and

(b) A minimum of three years’ relevant post-qualification engineering experience, including relevant experience in two or more of the following areas:

Surveying

Civil engineering works

Hydrometric work

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Maintaining and operating technical equipment, systems and telemetry.

OR

(a) A qualification at minimum Level 6 on the NFQ (or NARIC Ireland Foreign Qualifications equivalent) in a related discipline such as Structural Engineering, Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Digital Mapping, Civil and Water Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Construction Management or Construction Studies.

and

(b) A minimum of four years’ relevant post-qualification engineering experience, including relevant experience in two or more of the following areas:

Surveying

Civil engineering works

Hydrometric work

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Maintaining and operating technical equipment, systems and telemetry

Candidates must also have:

The ability to supervise staff in an operational environment.

The ability to tackle problems of a technical and/or management nature with a practical approach.

The ability to work independently, capable of operating under own initiative and ability to motivate and support others.

The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines with attention to detail.

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Excellent oral and written communication skills with fluency in English.

A commitment to achieving quality results and ensuring all tasks are completed to a very high standard.

Good Information Technology (IT) skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

A commitment to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) including keeping updated and fully informed on developments in relevant areas.

A current full driving licence (Category B), valid in Ireland and have access to a car.

Desirable

• Experience in specialist systems (such as total stations, level control and GPS systems, etc.) relevant to the work of the OPW in civil engineering construction projects, projects in or alongside rivers or similar.

• Advanced computer literacy in the use of specialist technical software such as AutoCAD/Revit, etc.