Leakage Detection Team Lead

Grade and Salary Grade E (48,653-72,979)

Job Description

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.

So, we’re passionate about helping our people to do the best work of their lives, to enable them to make a positive difference to communities all over Ireland. Our aim is to attract and develop talented and skilled people with diverse backgrounds and an evolving range of expertise and insight. We believe that such a strong workforce will help us achieve our goals and allow us to continue investing in, and advancing, Ireland’s 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 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 Leakage Detection Regional Technical Lead, the Leakage Detection Team Lead will have a sub-regional remit and is responsible for overseeing the monitoring and control of leakage activity within their sub-region. The Leakage Detection Team Lead will be responsible for leading and managing the performance of a Leakage Detection teams and to provide them with the necessary direction and skills to undertake unaccounted for water (UFW) reduction activities within the water network system in order to deliver Uisce Éireann’s targets in relation to Water Conservation / Leakage Management. Night time working may be required in line with operational requirements in addition to out of hours and standby working as required.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for overseeing the monitoring and control of leakage detection activity within a sub-region.
• Responsible for leading and managing the performance of Leakage Detection teams and to provide them with the necessary direction and skills to undertake unaccounted for water (UFW) reduction activities within the water network system in order to deliver Uisce Éireann’s targets in relation to Water Conservation / Leakage Management.
• Ensure the teams work in accordance with defined levels of operational competence, health and safety requirements and legislation, QA systems and standard operating procedures using the technology systems provided including handheld technology.
• Responsible for implementing and monitoring use of handheld technology provided and ensuring associated training of this technology is attended.
• Ensure use of any new technology and ensuring associated training of this technology is attended.
• Responsible for managing the budget allocated to the teams including approval of purchase requisitions, sourcing the most efficient and cost-effective way of utilising the teams to deliver UFW reduction activities.
• Responsible for the management of the teams’ material consumption and critical spares, ensuring efficient use of vehicles and equipment distribution throughout the sub-region.
• Maximise the effectiveness of the teams and develop and grow the skills of all team members through coaching, training and performance management.
• Ensure all health and safety equipment is provided, appropriate to the job and calibrated periodically. Ensure all health and safety and procedures are adhered to including risk assessments (Safe System of Work Plan), use of PPE etc.
• Responsible for resource management including team meetings, productivity management, utilisation of technologies, vehicles and undertaking of periodical performance reviews, appraisals and resulting recommendations.
• Consult with the Water Leakage Analysis team to prioritise the areas of proactive leakage management in order to appropriately prioritise leakage detection activities and to optimise the use of internal and external service providers as required.
• Responsible for overseeing the task schedule for leakage detection activity and liaising with Workflow regarding any changes as necessary.
• Support the maintenance of DMAs including consultation during DMA meter installation to ensure correct configuration.
• Ensure leakage surveys and sweeps are carried out within the sub-region, proactively monitoring and checking the integrity and operability of DMAs.
• Responsible for ensuring sections of the distribution network are isolated and recommissioned (alongside the Water Network Operations team) wherever step testing activities are carried out within the sub-region.
• Prioritise, identify and select the most appropriate techniques and leakage detection methods required to carry out both proactive and if required reactive leakage control.
• Responsible for ensuring that any data gathered by the Leakage Detection team is validated, accurate, on time and up to date. This data will be used to monitor consumption and distribution input and to influence the leakage strategy within Uisce Éireann.
• Engage with third parties/contractors as required. Ensure permits/access/transfers to all relevant contractors are implemented. Responsible for undertaking review of leakage detection activities performed by contractors.
• Engage with Roads Authorities as required. Ensure Road Opening Licences / Traffic Mgmt plans are developed and submitted for approval as appropriate.
• Responsible for establishing plans with internal and external resources on how leakage sweeps and surveys will be undertaken. Provide input into all processes and procedures effecting leakage management and set priorities on all leakage target activities required within the region to ensure that sources of leakage are located quickly and repaired.
• Responsible for daily decisions on the delivery of the Leakage Detection team’s objectives including how, when and to whom to escalate problems.
• Responsible for ensuring network plans and information are properly reported following investigations. Liaise with the GIS team to ensure that reported information is updated on GIS.
• Create works orders for the repair of the integrity of a DMA through boundary valve repair or through the repair of faulty apparatus such as meters or logging equipment when this has been identified as part of any operability checks.
• Develop effective working relationships within the Leakage Detection team and liaise regularly with other teams in adjoining areas e.g. Water Leakage Analysis, Water Network Operations, Water Network M&R and Infrastructure Delivery (Water Network Programme) teams on all aspects of network performance that may affect the region e.g. leakage and pressures.
• Responsible for the review of proposed asset interventions and liaising with Asset Planning where appropriate as part of resolution plan development.
• Provide emergency cover to Water Networks Operations team on any areas relevant to effective leakage control if required.
• Participate in out of hours and standby working.
• Responsible for ensuring direct reports operate and maintain Uisce Éireann vehicles, as required, in a responsible manner in line with all relevant Uisce Éireann vehicle, health, safety and security policies. Other responsibilities include: Monitoring driver compliance, completing vehicle inspections and recording and reporting any vehicle defects to Shared Services.
• Responsible for managing field based teams, preparing and delivering timely internal communications.
• Responsible for monitoring and reporting KPIs for processes over which they have ownership.

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.
• Other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Relevant third level qualification and or accreditation is desirable 
• A minimum of 3 years’ Experience in the water, utilities or similar industries is desirable and or relevant experience 
• Demonstrated people management ability, proactive development, motivation and engagement of staff
• Experience managing a team, with strong people, change management and conflict resolution skills
• Preferred but not essential experience in day to day operational management of direct reports
• Experience in the aera of people, change management and conflict resolution skills
• Highly motivated individual, working to the highest professional standards and with proven ability to deliver results within a team. 
• Strong analytical skills and ability to identify and analyse problems and potential improvements, and propose and implement solutions
• Demonstrate adaptability and the ability to change focus and direction in line with business strategy and requirements
• Proactively identifying new areas of improvement and using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job
• 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).

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