Water Network/Treatment/M&R Operator

Grade and Salary G (€32,213 - €48,319)

The Water Treatment Operator will have a remit over a geographical area and is responsible for the operation of treatment processes on the assigned treatment plants and carrying out routine maintenance activities on assets for an area, across a variety of sites as and when requested, in accordance with the task schedule.

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

The Water 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 water and 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 to fill current vacancies and are also looking to add to a panel for future vacancies. 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 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. 

Role: Water Treatment Operator - County Donegal

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 Regional 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 Treatment Operator will have a remit over an assigned treatment plant, carrying out routine maintenance activities on assets in accordance with the task schedule. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the operation of the water treatment processes, and carry out routine maintenance activities 

• Monitor and control the operation of the plant and treatment process to ensure clean, safe water is produced in compliance with regulations and that the plant is operated in accordance with best practice

• Monitor changes in Raw Water Quality and undertake routine Jar Tests so as to determine the optimal dosing of coagulant and flocculant chemicals for the proper operation of the plant in accordance with best practice.

• Operate and maintain assigned assets as required including controlling and adjusting assets, inspecting and monitoring assets, testing and calibrating equipment, maintaining assets, replenishing consumables etc.

• Conduct asset checks and inspections to ensure early identification and resolution of asset problems, raising work orders on Maximo where required. Use electronic equipment as assigned, such as handheld units, PCs, Lone Working App as required

• Check, record and monitor all necessary quality parameters including manual checks at the various stages of the water treatment process as required. 

• Check the operation of the instruments and when necessary, clean and re-fill with correct reagents to ensure continued proper operation. Report any malfunction or matter requiring more detailed investigation to the supervisor. 

• Check and record the levels and stocks of all chemicals and reagents. Report when stocks are low in a timely manner. 

• Accept and supervise the delivery into the plant of bulk chemicals.

• Monitor the plant CCTV system and report any untoward matter to the plant supervisor or plant security

• Perform duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, including;

• Adhere to Construction Regulations including undertaking of duties assigned under the Regulations, as per Uisce Éireann policy

• Identify hazards and conduct site risk assessments in advance of work activities

• Apply safe work procedures and standard operating procedures

• Undertake all assigned health and safety training, including Safe Pass and, where relevant, Certified Construction Skills

• Use appropriate safety equipment and tools, including Personal Protective Equipment

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Secondary level education or equivalent work experience

• We work better together-experience of working independently and as part of a team 

• Experience of using IT systems and a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office e.g. Word & Excel

• We keep each other safe-experience and understanding of working within a strong health & safety culture

• Good basic knowledge of water and wastewater systems and practices is desirable

• We aim high- strong problem-solving skills and drive to resolve issues promptly using initiative

• Strong literacy skills

• 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

• Certification in Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations preferred

• Water Services Training Group qualification preferred 

• Plumbing or Electrical skills or training desirable

• Experience working within Water Industry and /or other Utilities preferred

• Experience of working with automated control systems such as SCADA is desirable

• Experience of working with control systems and the servicing and maintenance of instrumentation installed on plants to automatically monitor and control processes is desirable

• With full training and risk assessment, the role holder must have the ability to work in environments that may attract vermin, be noisy and require use of ear defence, require you to manage and handle hazardous chemicals with all of the necessary protective equipment, enter confined spaces where trained to do so.

*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. 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. 

Role: Water Network Operator - County Donegal

Main Duties and responsibilities:

• Operate the water network (e.g. operating valves, service reservoirs, pipeline fittings, identifying bursts etc.) 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 Water 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.
• Represent Uisce Éireann in the field as the first responder. Advise customers on Uisce Éireann policies and codes of practice
• Actively investigate chamber covers for signs of damage
• Escalate issues to the Water Network Operations Team Lead as necessary

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders as required. For example:

  • Landowners 
  • Local Authorities
  • Relevant IW personnel 
  • Third parties/contractors
• Responsible for issuing of permits to work/access/transfers to all relevant contractors within their area remit and ensure they follow all health and safety procedures
• Responsible for monitoring readings from online monitors on the water network and at service reservoirs 
• Responsible for supporting with leakage detection to maintain service levels and liaising with the Leakage Detection team as required
• Ensure that any damage caused to an asset, by a third party or otherwise, is captured and declared to the Water Network Operations Team Lead when required
• Support in the undertaking of capital works on the network 
• Support in the operation of newly commissioned/upgraded assets as required by undertaking appropriate training and / or undertaking additional tasks

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.
• Conducts duties and responsibilities in accordance with Uisce Éireann’s Information Security policies, standards, processes and controls to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of UÉ business information, and delivery of critical services, in accordance with the NIS Directive and any other relevant cybersecurity regulation.

• 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 water network, infrastructure and operations is an advantage
• Sound knowledge and experience of all skills required for water network infrastructure and operations preferred 
• A basic awareness or understanding of water networks and knowledge of water 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

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

Role: Water Network Maintenance & Repair (M&R) Operative - County Donegal

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 Regional 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.

Reporting to the Water Network Maintenance and Repair Team Lead, the Water 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 water network infrastructure in a safe manner.

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

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Support planned and reactive maintenance and repair activities across the water 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.

• As required and in line with your skills and expertise, undertake work relating to Mains Rehabilitation, Main laying, Connection and Meter Installations and other work on the Water Network. 

• 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 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. 

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. 

• Conducts duties and responsibilities in accordance with Uisce Éireann’s Information Security policies, standards, processes and controls to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of UÉ business information, and delivery of critical services, in accordance with the NIS Directive and any other relevant cybersecurity regulation.

• Other duties as required. 

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)

• 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 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 and communities - strong customer service skills