Water / Wastewater Treatment Operations Team Lead

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 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.

The Regional O&M Team has a regional remit and is responsible for the regional operational management of water or wastewater treatment and network assets and the associated delivery of water/wastewater services through operational, maintenance and repair activities, while managing health and safety. The team is also responsible for the implementation of the regional operations, maintenance and repair plan that forms part of the national operations, maintenance and repair plan, contributing to the development, management, implementation and approval of same. Managing change and transformation activities is a key aspect of this team's responsibility particularly in the initial phases as the regional operations team splits into separate water and wastewater teams and ways of working are standardised.

Reporting to the Water/ Wastewater Treatment Operations Manager, the Water/ Wastewater Treatment Operations Team Lead will be responsible for leading and managing the performance of a team of operators and to provide them with the necessary direction and skills to ensure that treatment assets and networks are compliant with relevant legislation, whilst operating within budgetary constraints. Out of hours working will be required and appropriate standby rates will apply

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for leading and managing the performance of a team of Water/ Wastewater treatment operators and provide them with the necessary direction and skills to ensure the operation of treatment assets and ensure compliance within environmental consents and safety legislation.

• Ensure responses to SCADA / telemetry alarms are effective and in accordance with standards and procedures to deliver a consistent customer service. Responsible for requesting critical alarm level changes to the Telemetry Services team.

• Responsible for interacting with Treatment Operators and Senior Operators to understand the needs of the asset and identify any potential water treatment operations intervention requests. Responsible for submitting these requests to Treatment Planning, providing supplementary information as required.

• Ensure data capture on issues that are relevant to contribute to the development of operational, maintenance and repair plans, liaising with the Operations Planning Specialist as required to undertake periodical performance reviews, appraisals and make resulting recommendations.

• Manage and organise the maintenance and repair of newly commissioned / upgraded assets as required by undertaking appropriate site training and supporting adequate resourcing.

• Develop the skills of team members through provision of coaching and training in all aspects of the operation of relevant works.

• Contribute to the development of task schedules and standard operating procedures for the provision of network services that maximise quality of output, efficiency and support the adoption of processes.

• Responsible for the implementation of process optimisation recommendations to improve water/wastewater treatment performance or to deliver efficiencies within the area.

• Participate in out of hours and standby working as required.

Budget Management:

• Responsible for the management of costs associated with the water/wastewater team.

• Co-ordinate the effective and efficient use of budgetary resources, through team meetings, productivity management, utilisation of vehicles, implementation of work tasks and monitoring of water treatment operations.

Customer and Incident Management:

• Manage proactive and reactive activities to deliver consistent customer service.

• Responsible for the investigation of complaints regarding water services including various internal and external stakeholder engagement.

• Responsible for inputting updates into the Uisce Éireann outage management system.

• Support in the coordination of incident and emergency response, ensuring all health and safety standards are met and pollution classifications are consistent, in conjunction with the Pollution Control Coordinator.

Health and Safety:

• Ensure all health and safety inductions are completed and that all equipment is provided, appropriate to the job and necessary calibrations periodically.

• Responsible for the implementation of the Construction Regulations including undertaking of duties assigned under the Regulations, as per Uisce Éireann policies, safety statements and plans. Oversee policy implementation and best practice standards including safe working practices.

• Ensure all health and safety and procedures are adhered to including risk assessments (Safe System of Work Plan), use of PPE etc.

• Responsible for ensuring personnel have relevant safety skills, training, and associated documentation, including Safe Pass cards and, where relevant, Construction Skills Certificate cards

• Identify hazards and assess risks for Operational areas of responsibility.

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.

• Provide visible leadership for your team, coaching and developing them to achieve their full potential and deliver business objectives, promoting collaboration and highlighting the behaviours that are expected from everyone in the team.

• 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 education or equivalent work experience.

• Experience in a process / chemical driven industry

• Minimum of 3 years direct relevant experience of working in a similar role within water/wastewater treatment and/or network distribution services

• FETAC level 5 / QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate or equivalent

• We work better together - Team Leader skills including capability of building a high performing team and of developing people to realise their full potential and achieve results through effective coaching, delegation and support.

• Be confident in driving performance of team and strive for continuous improvement of assets and resources

• Possess digital literacy, use information technology devices and software effectively and influence a smart technology culture

• Deep understanding of water quality assessment methodologies, environmental impacts, and relevant scientific principles.

• Ability to analyse and interpret complex data, including using statistical analysis and modelling techniques.

• We do the right thing - strong knowledge of relevant environmental legislation, rules, and standards to ensure compliance

• We aim high- excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey complex information to diverse stakeholders, including the public, regulatory agencies, and internal teams.

• Ability to analyse situations, identify problems, and develop effective solutions to manage water quality challenges.

• Skills in planning, implementing, and managing projects, meeting deadlines, and allocating resources effectively.

• Ability to coordinate teams, motivate others, and work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

• Meticulous attention to detail is vital for accurate testing, monitoring, and reporting to prevent health risks and ensure quality.

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

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