Wastewater Operator/Operative

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

The Wastewater Network Operator has a remit over a geographical area and is responsible for supporting the operation of the wastewater network in order to deliver consistent customer service and carry out routine maintenance activities on the network asset base. The Wastewater Network Operator will be a key interface with the customer and will resolve issues first time where possible.

The Wastewater Network Maintenance & Repair Operative has an area remit and is responsible for supporting the delivery of planned and reactive maintenance and repair activities across the wastewater network infrastructure in a safe manner.

Out of hours working will be required and appropriate overtime and standby rates will apply.

We are currently recruiting for Operators/Operatives in Cork City to fill current vacancies and are also looking to add to a panel for future vacancies. Applications will be considered for vacancies that arise in the next 12 months and all applications will be considered for the three roles above. Full job descriptions are provided below.

Please note that there will be a requirement to be located within a reasonable distance from the assigned work area/asset in order to be able to respond to out of hours requirements in a timely manner.

This is advertisement will remain open until further notice.

*Please be advised that successful candidates will be placed on the salary band based on their skills and experience with the starting position for this role being the minimum of €36,640. 

Uisce Éireann is an equal opportunities employer. 

We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive place of work and have a robust strategy and framework called ibelong to enable this. We are an equal opportunity employer and through our recruitment process we welcome and encourage applications from interested and suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, membership of the traveller community, religion or beliefs, family or civil status, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability. 

Wastewater Network Operator

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

The Wastewater Network Operator has a remit over a geographical area and is responsible for supporting the operation of the wastewater network in order to deliver consistent customer service and carry out routine maintenance activities on the network asset base. The Wastewater Network Operator will be a key interface with the customer and will resolve issues first time where possible.

Out of hours working will be required and appropriate overtime and standby rates will apply.

While it is our intention to have roles streamed either water or waste water consistently across the country in the future, initially there may be a requirement to work in water and wastewater depending on the requirements of your location.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the operation of the wastewater network in order to deliver consistent customer service and 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, Other activities may included operating valves, service reservoirs, pipeline fittings, identifying bursts including operating secondary treatment points on the network to deliver a consistent customer service and carrying out routine maintenance activities on the water network assets (e.g. maintenance of valves, pumping stations, flushing mains etc.
• Regularly check 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.
• 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.
• Promptly record and accurately report relevant information in relation to the operation of wastewater 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.
• Adhere to all health and safety procedures and perform risk assessments (Safe System of Work Plan), use of PPE, and required duties under the Construction Regulations
• Operate 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
• May be required to responsibly operate a 3.5 tonne / 4.2 tonne vehicle
• 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 
• Full, clean and valid Irish category B driving licence is minimum requirement. 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). Additional Driving License categories an advantage
• We keep each other safe - experience/understanding of working within a strong health & safety culture
• Knowledge of the wastewater network, infrastructure and operations is an advantage
• Sound knowledge and experience of all skills required for wastewater network infrastructure and operations preferred 
• A basic awareness or understanding of wastewater networks and knowledge of wastewater network processes is an advantage 
• Experience of using IT systems 
• We aim high - strong problem solving skills
• We Deliver for Customers & Communities - strong customer service skills
• 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

Wastewater Network Maintenance & Repair (M&R) Operative 

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 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 Wastewater Network M&R Operative has an area remit and is responsible for supporting the delivery of planned and reactive maintenance and repair activities across the wastewater network infrastructure in a safe manner.

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 the future, initially there may be a requirement to work in water and wastewater depending on the requirements of your location.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support planned and reactive maintenance and repair activities across the 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. Other activities may included repairs of burst and collapsed pipes and/or clearing blocked/choked sewers & pumping station repairs, Sewer flooding, including CCTV surveys, Pumping station alarms and blockages which may need to be lifted and unblocked, Pumping station overflows in order to deliver consistent customer service. Respond to alarms, provide emergency cover and resolve issues and incidents on water network infrastructure assets.
• Maintain and repair non-domestic water meters, including undertaking site investigations and removing and replacing meters, liaising with the Metering Services team as appropriate.
• 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.
• Promptly record and accurately report relevant information in relation to the operation of wastewater 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.
• Adhere to all health and safety procedures and perform risk assessments (Safe System of Work Plan), use of PPE, and required duties under the Construction Regulations
• Operate 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
• May be required to responsibly operate a 3.5 tonne / 4.2 tonne vehicle. Possible requirement to operate a HGV vactor unit (20 tonne +) from depot to facilitate tankering, if required
• 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 
• Full, clean and valid Irish category B driving licence is minimum requirement. 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). Additional Driving License categories an advantage
• We keep each other safe - experience/understanding of working within a strong health & safety culture
• Previous maintenance experience, such as working in a construction/roadworks environment is an advantage
• Sound knowledge and experience of all skills required for maintenance and repair of the water/wastewater network preferable
• A basic awareness or understanding of water networks and knowledge of water network processes is an advantage 
• Working knowledge of maintenance and repair of water meters preferable 
• Experience of using IT systems 
• We aim high - strong problem-solving skills
• We Deliver for Customers & Communities - strong customer service skills
• 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

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