Leakage Detection Senior Operative

Grade and Salary Grade F (€40,438 - €60,657)

We are Uisce Éireann. Every day, we are responsible for the delivery of secure, safe, and sustainable water services for the people of Ireland. As Ireland’s national regulated water utility, our vision is a sustainable Ireland where water is respected and protected, for the planet and all the lives it supports.

Our purpose at Uisce Éireann is to rise to the challenge of delivering transformative water services that enable communities to thrive. That means we are proud to take on the responsibility of protecting our water supply and passing on a safe and secure water system to a rapidly growing population and empowering Ireland’s social and economic growth.

We are passionate about empowering our people, enabling them to make a positive impact on communities across Ireland. We are guided by a shared vision and purpose, grounded in values that define who we are and shape how we work, where we deliver for customers and communities, we work better together, we do the right thing, we aim high, and we keep each other safe. Our behaviours define how we interact, communicate, and succeed together. These values and behaviours apply to each one of us, across every role, location, and level.

Our goal is to attract and develop skilled and talented people from diverse backgrounds, who bring a dynamic range of expertise and insights to our work. With a strong, values-driven workforce, we ensure Uisce Éireann can continue advancing Ireland’s water services and meeting the needs of the communities we serve for generations to come.

The Role: 

The Asset Operations function forms the cornerstone of service delivery to customers, protecting the environment and meeting regulatory standards as well as managing the majority of operational expenditure. The Asset Operations function has responsibility for operational and maintenance strategy, policies, planning and standard operating procedures for Water and Wastewater operations both nationally and regionally, ensuring that value for money and customer service is delivered. 

The Operations and Management (O&M) team is responsible for the national delivery of water and wastewater operational services through the operation, inspection, maintenance & repair of the water and wastewater treatment and network assets. 

Reporting to the Leakage Detection Team Lead, the Leakage Detection Senior Operative is responsible for monitoring Uisce Éireann pipe infrastructure using specialised equipment to measure water pressure and flow, detecting leaks in the network, and escalating these to the Team Lead. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for undertaking UFW reduction activities within the water network in order to deliver Uisce Éireann’s targets in relation to Water Conservation / Leakage Management. 
• Assisting with the maintenance of District Metered Areas (DMAs) including supervision of DMA meters to ensure correct configuration. 
• Responsible for carrying out leakage surveys and sweeps, pro-actively monitoring and checking the integrity and operability of District Meter Areas (DMAs). 
• Responsible for isolating and re-commissioning sections of the distribution network in a controlled manner so as to not adversely impact the network (alongside Water Network Operations teams) and carry out step testing and zero pressure testing activities. 
• Responsible for carrying out installation and monitoring of leakage detection equipment, including visual inspections of flowmeters and data-loggers, ancillary equipment and Pressure Reducing/Sustaining Valves (PRVs/PSVs). 
• Provide leadership for junior team members in driving the team’s performance culture
• Support the collection and interpretation of data to identify areas of potential leakage - e.g. Flow and pressure monitoring, analysis of Nightline data, Night use allowances, DMA data, and data from the Leakage Management System (LMS), telemetry and customer metering databases. 
• Identifying if sources of UFW on the network are public or private side so that the most appropriate mechanism for effecting a repair can be identified. Responsible for engaging with private side customers as appropriate. 
• Responsible for temporary re-programming, deployment and collection of data from data-logging equipment for field tests. 
• Carry out inspections of electromagnetic, ultrasonic or mechanical bulk meters including identifying faulty equipment and raising work order for other teams (MEICA) to identify and repair specific faults.
• Responsible for replacing battery packs on battery powered meters where appropriate. 
• Responsible for fully using handheld technology provided and carrying out associated training of this technology. 
• Responsible for adopting and fully using any new technology and carrying out associated training of this technology 
• Responsible for adhering to all HSQE plans, policies and procedures. 
• Ensure all health and safety procedures are adhered to and perform risk assessments (Safe System of Work Plan), use of PPE, etc. 
• Where assigned by the Leak Detection Team Lead, assist in establishing plans on how leakage sweeps and surveys will be undertaken. 
• Provides input into all processes and procedures affecting UFW management. 
• Identify errors or deficiencies in information to support UFW reduction activities contained within IW’s systems, i.e. GIS, LMS, Customer consumption databases, etc. and provide updated information gained as a result of their investigations to the appropriate team within Uisce Éireann. 
• Raise work orders for the repair of DMA infrastructure, such as ensuring the integrity of a DMA through boundary valve management or through the repair of faulty apparatus such as meters or logging equipment when this has been identified as part of any operability checks. 
• Maintain regular contact with Water Network Operations team on all aspects of network performance that may affect the UFW level within their area e.g. UFW triggers and pressures. 
• Assist the Customer Contact Centre with customer queries, as directed by the Leak Detection Team Lead. Assist the complaint resolution in relation to leakage control, water usage and pressures. 
• Responsible for collating data relating to the interventions required and providing information to the Leakage Detection Team Lead for approval. 
• Responsible for monitoring and reporting on KPIs over which they have ownership. 
• Participate in out of hours working as required.
• Responsible for operating and maintaining Uisce Éireann vehicles and machinery, as required, in a responsible manner in line with all relevant Uisce Éireann vehicle, health, safety and security policies. Where the use of an Uisce Éireann vehicle is required, the following responsibilities will apply:
• Reporting of road traffic accidents and near misses involving Uisce Éireann vehicles 
• Completing all required vehicle checks as set out by Uisce Éireann policies 
• Recording and reporting any vehicle defects to the Leak Detection Team Lead. 
• Responsible for ensuring stock levels in vehicles are sufficient for performing leak detection activities at first visit. 
• Providing assistance to Water Networks Operations, third party / contractors and internal customers in emergencies and on any areas relevant to effective UFW control as directed by the Leak Detection Team Lead. 
• Responsible for carrying out any other duties deemed necessary and / or required, which line management may reasonably request. 

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaboration with key internal stakeholders across the UÉ business.
• Responsible for promoting and delivering health and safety commitments across UÉ and its supply chain, reinforcing positive behaviours and delivering health and safety objectives and requirements to the highest industry standards. 
• Support the delivery of the Uisce Éireann Transformation Programme, driving results required within the Directorate and supporting organisation-wide objectives.
• Other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Secondary level education or equivalent work experience 
• A minimum of 2 years' relevant experience is required. Experience in a similar role in the water, utilities or similar industries would be an advantage 
• We keep each other safe - experience and understanding of working within a strong health & safety culture
• Ability to use monitoring and record-keeping IT equipment and interpret data and network drawings (GIS / Geo field) in order to analyse and investigate areas of potential interest in the network
• Ability to trace and locate mains / services and street furniture to ensure access for leakage activities 
• Knowledge in the application of processes and procedures around proactive leakage detection and associated health and safety issues preferred 
• Ability to use leakage related IT equipment and interpret data and network drawings (GIS / Geo field) in order to analyse and investigate areas of potential leakage in District Metered Areas / Sub-District Metered Areas preferred 
• Ability to use leak noise correlators, acoustic sounding, data loggers, mechanical and/or electronic listening sticks, ground microphones and pressure and flow devices to interpret results and to pinpoint potential leakage. Required to understand the environmental factors that underpin the selection of the appropriate leakage techniques ad advantage 
• Thorough understanding of valve operations and of the operability issues associated with open boundary valves, incorrect DMA data and metering issues. Understand the processes and procedures relating to boundary valve auditing, tagging, tubing and boundary valve management. 
• Proactive, with ability to work on own initiative and with others to ensure success in the performance of a team
• We work better together - proven ability to create and develop good working relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals, coupled with the ability to gain commitment from others 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey messages in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to set up ongoing processes and procedures to collect and review information
• Flexible with regard to working in a changing environment and the ability to adjust to new work structures, processes and requirements as necessary
• We aim high - proactively identifying new areas of learning and using newly gained knowledge and skills on the job
• Striving for quality and ensuring consistent high standards of work
• Strong Computer skills with a proficient working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Full, clean and valid Irish category B driving licence is minimum requirement. Additional Driving License categories an advantage. A clean driving licence is defined as meaning that the applicant has not been convicted of an offence under the Road Traffic Acts (other than an offence for which the penalty is the imposition of penalty points).

*Please be advised that if successful you will be placed on the salary range based on your skills and experience. Please note the Market reference point (midpoint) of the range is generally the upper end of the offer where someone is deemed to be fully competent to take on the duties of the role, and leaves room for the employee to progress through the pay range as their experience develops further.

Uisce Éireann is an equal opportunities employer.

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