Senior Operatives/Operators

Uisce Éireann is Ireland’s national regulated water utility and is responsible for providing water and wastewater services throughout Ireland. Our mission is to ensure all our customers receive a clean, safe and reliable supply of drinking water and have their wastewater collected and safely returned to the environment. We will protect the health and well-being of the people of Ireland, protect the environment in all our activities and support Ireland’s social and economic growth through appropriate investment in water services.

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 Water and Wastewater Operations team is responsible for the regional delivery of water and wastewater operational services through the operation, inspection, maintenance & repair of the treatment and network assets.

The Water/Wastewater Network M&R Senior Operative is responsible for supporting the delivery of planned and reactive maintenance and repair activities across the water and wastewater network infrastructure in a safe manner. The Senior Operative role provides day to day leadership and direction on the ground to ensure consistent delivery of water services. Out of hours working will be required and appropriate overtime and standby rates will apply. We are looking to stand up a national panel for all current and future vacancies. It is envisioned this panel will remain open for approximately 12 months. While it is our intention to have roles streamed either water or wastewater consistently across the country in future, initially there may be a requirement to work in water and wastewater depending on the requirements of your location.

Role: Water/Wastewater Network Maintenance & Repair Senior Operative

Main Duties and Responsibilities – list is indicative:

• Supervise the planned and reactive maintenance and repair activities across the water and wastewater network infrastructure in a safe and hygienic manner including repairs of bursts and leaks, water mains and services and associated fittings replacements, water meters and customer boundary box, cleaning of service reservoirs, replacing valves and hydrants, and undertake tests following repairs to pipes and pumps, in order to deliver consistent customer service. Other network activities will include assisting with sewer surveys as required; identifying location of heavy infiltration or storm water from road gullies, performing investigations and identifying interventions required on the network, clearing blockages and responding to alarms as required.

• Ensure the prompt response to alarms, the provision of emergency cover and resolution of issues and incidents on water network infrastructure assets.

• Ensure the regular checking of the chemical dosing measures at pumping stations and other odour control activities and support Water & Wastewater Compliance and Sampling teams in operational sampling activity including new mains, burst repairs and failures and report on results of the analysis as required.

• Direct the maintenance and repair of non-domestic water meters, including undertaking site investigations and removing and replacing meters, liaising with the Metering Services team as appropriate.

• Supervise the teams to inform the customer about issues and resolutions, investigate and follow up on escalated customer complaints/local representative in order to support the delivery of a consistent customer service and manage the risk associated with public health and compliance.

• Support Customer teams including Key Account Managers and Customer Service with any customer issues/queries or where works impact customer service delivery in the area.

• Oversee teams to promptly record and accurately report relevant information in relation to the operation of the water network using the technology systems provided including logging investigations and raising requests for follow on work orders and updating H&S records and inventory management where required.

• Monitor all works undertaken, manage the requisitions for materials in your teams and ensure details are accurately recorded on or off system as required ensuring all incidents are recorded in detail with the circumstances of same.

• Ensure adherence and compliance with all health and safety procedures and perform risk assessments (Safe System of Work Plan), use of PPE, and required duties under the Construction Regulations

• Ensure the operations of Uisce Éireann vehicles and machinery in a responsible manner in line with all relevant Uisce Éireann vehicle, health, safety and security policies, ensuring stock levels in vehicles are sufficient to perform work where required.

• Ensure adherence of teams to allocated task schedule, standard operating procedures and close out of work orders on completion of task, supporting the roll out and development of standard operating procedures when required.

• Work with third parties/contractors to support undertaking activity on the network.

• Issue permits to work to all relevant contractors and ensure they follow health and safety procedures.

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders as required. For example, Landowners, relevant Uisce Éireann personnel, third parties/contractors.

• Ensure the tracking and monitoring of team activities, update timesheets, sign off on time and attendance and performance evaluation and support your line manager with the generation of any ad hoc reporting and/or performance management as required

• Drive the efficiency of all the works carried out by teams under your leadership, regularly inspecting works carried out and tracking the training required to be delivered to your teams.

• Provide cover and support to other water operations teams as required which may involve taking additional duties to cover annual leave or sickness etc.

• Carry out any other duties deemed necessary and / or required which your line manager may reasonably request

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Secondary level education or equivalent work experience

• Minimum two years relevant experience working in a similar role

• Previous experience of supervising or managing teams working in health and safety culture preferred and in a water or wastewater networks environment an advantage

• Experience/understanding of working within a strong health & safety culture is an advantage

• Knowledge of the water/wastewater network, infrastructure and operations is an advantage

• Sound knowledge and experience of all skills required for maintenance and repair of the network preferable

• Sound knowledge and experience of all skills required for wastewater network infrastructure and operations preferred

Full, clean, class B driving licence. Driving License alternatives an advantage

• Experience of using IT systems

• Strong problem solving skills

• Strong customer service skills with demonstrable experience of dealing with customer

• With full training and risk assessment, the role holder must have the ability to work in an environment that is sometimes uncomfortable or potentially hazardous such as: working with hazardous chemicals; sewage; confined spaces; lone working; remote working; deep water; animals; vermin; noise; hand and arm vibration, etc. This involves successful completion of occupational health assessment confirming suitability to work in such environments

• Literacy skills

• Experience working within Water Services and/or other Utilities an advantage

Salary: Grade F (€37,160 – €55,754*)

Role: Water/Wastewater Network Senior Operator

Salary: Grade F (€37,160 – €55,754*)

Main Duties and Responsibilities – list is indicative: • Supervise the operation of the water/wastewater network in your area of responsibility in order to deliver consistent customer service and oversee teams to carry out routine maintenance activities on the network assets. Network activities will include assisting with sewer surveys as required; identifying location of heavy infiltration or storm water from road gullies, performing investigations and identifying interventions required on the network, clearing blockages and responding to alarms as required. • Ensure the regular checking of the chemical dosing measures at pumping stations and other odour control activities and support Wastewater Compliance and Sampling teams in operational sampling activity including new mains, burst repairs and failures and report on results of the analysis as required. • Supervise the teams to inform the customer about issues and resolutions, investigate and follow up on escalated customer complaints/local representative in order to support the delivery of a consistent customer service and manage the risk associated with public health and compliance. • Support Customer teams including Key Account Managers and Customer Service with any customer issues/queries or where works impact customer service delivery in the area. • Oversee teams to promptly record and accurately report relevant information in relation to the operation of the waste water network using the technology systems provided including logging investigations and rasing requests for follow on work orders and updating H&S records and inventory management where required. • Monitor all works undertaken, manage the requisitions for materials in your teams and ensure details are accurately recorded on or off system as required ensuring all incidents are recorded in detail with the circumstances of same. • Ensure adherence and compliance with all health and safety procedures and perform risk assessments (Safe System of Work Plan), use of PPE, and required duties under the Construction Regulations • Ensure the operations of Irish Water vehicles and machinery in a responsible manner in line with all relevant Irish Water vehicle, health, safety and security policies, ensuring stock levels in vehicles are sufficient to perform work where required. • Ensure adherence of teams to allocated task schedule, standard operating procedures and close out of work orders on completion of task, supporting the roll out and development of standard operating procedures when required. • Work with third parties/contractors to support undertaking activity on the network. • Issue permits to work to all relevant contractors and ensure they follow health and safety procedures. • Engage with internal and external stakeholders as required. For example, Landowners, relevant Irish Water personnel, third parties/contractors. • Ensure the tracking and monitoring of team activities, update timesheets, sign off on time and attendance and performance evaluation and support your line manager with the generation of any ad hoc reporting and/or performance management as required • Carry Drive the efficiency of all the works carried out by teams under your leadership, regularly inspecting works carried out and tracking the training required to be delivered to your teams. • Provide cover and support to other water operations teams as required which may involve taking additional duties to cover annual leave or sickness etc. • Carry out any other duties deemed necessary and / or required which your line manager may reasonably request

Knowledge, Skills and Experience: • Secondary level education or equivalent work experience • Minimum two years relevant experience working in a similar role • Full, clean, class B driving licence. Driving License alternatives an advantage • Previous experience of supervising or managing teams working in health and safety culture preferred and in a water or wastewater networks environment an advantage • Experience/understanding of working within a strong health & safety culture is an advantage • Knowledge of the water/wastewater network, infrastructure and operations is an advantage • Sound knowledge and experience of all skills required for wastewater network infrastructure and operations preferred • Experience of using IT systems • Strong problem solving skills • Strong customer service skills with demonstrable experience of dealing with customer • With full training and risk assessment, the role holder must have the ability to work in anenvironment that is sometimes uncomfortable or potentially hazardous such as: working with hazardous chemicals; sewage; confined spaces; lone working; remote working; deep water; animals; vermin; noise; hand and arm vibration, etc. This involves successful completion of occupational health assessment confirming suitability to work in such environments • Literacy skills • Experience working within Water Services and/or other Utilities an advantage