Operator/Operative

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 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/Wastewater 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/Wastewater Network Operator will be a key interface with the customer and will resolve issues first time where possible.

The Water/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 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 in all counties to fill current vacancies and are also looking to add to our national 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 futher 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. 

The Role:

The Water/Wastewater 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/Wastewater Treatment Operator shall provide appropriate cover for other Treatment Operators at any of the assigned Treatment Plants or assets as required.

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

We are currently recruiting for Water/Wastewater Treatment Operators in the all counties to fill current vacancies and are also looking to add to our national panel for future vacancies.Applications will be considered for vacancies that arise in the next 12 months.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the operation of the water and wastewater treatment processes, and carry out routine maintenance activities across a varied plant asset base 
• 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.
• Operate the water and wastewater network including operating secondary treatment points on the network to deliver a consistent customer service and carrying out routine maintenance activities 
• 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 
• Conduct daily indicative operational checks and analysis as required and reporting results through appropriate systems. 
• Respond to SCADA/telemetry alerts in accordance with standards and procedures.
• Support the implementation of process optimisation recommendations to improve treatment performance or to deliver efficiencies.
• Promptly record and accurately report relevant information in relation to water treatment using the technology systems provided.
• Meter reading as required 
• Maintaining stocks of materials and chemicals ensuring reorder when necessary.
• Support Customer Contact Centre with any customer issues/queries
• Maintain onsite critical spare stocks, tools and equipment.
• Ensure that all Mechanical, Electrical and Control Plant and Equipment is in good condition at all times and shall be responsible for its effective and efficient operation in accordance with all and any Technical Instruction and/ or Operating and Maintenance Manuals provided, and such further instructions as may be given by the Line Manager.
• Take samples of the water/ wastewater, both before and after treatment, carry out all necessary laboratory analyses as set out in the relevant Technical Manuals and shall record all results obtained.
• Supervise all maintenance and repair work carried and shall ensure that it is executed properly, efficiently and left in a completed and satisfactory condition.
• General maintenance of all sewers, including rising mains, storm overflows, pump chambers, treatment plants and sites including all fencing, gates and buildings and ancillary facilities.
• Be in attendance when new connections are being made if required.
• Maintain interiors and exteriors of all treatment works, pumping stations, and other building in good repair and in a clean and tidy condition. In particular, all buildings shall be kept in a spotlessly clean condition on account of the nature and purpose of the Works.
• Support in the operation of newly commissioned/upgraded assets as required including undertaking of relevant training.
• Participate in out of hours and standby working as required.
• Ensure compliance with work safety procedures and fully participate in any safety programme that may be implemented. Undertake duties in a safe manner and use such personal protective safety equipment or clothing on a daily basis as is suitable for the tasks
• 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
• Where necessary, seek guidance from Team Lead on the carrying out of site risk assessments
• Maintain site welfare facilities
• Control and record access to sites by other Uisce Éireann personnel and by external visitors and service providers
• Co-operate at site level with other Uisce Éireann personnel and with other service providers
• Record all site matters, including accidents, incidents and near misses
• Complete any corrective actions for Operational area of responsibility
• Provide support in updating the Construction Stage Safety & Health Plan
• Provide relevant information for the Safety File
• Update and Maintain the Safety File locally and send updates to Uisce Éireann’s ECM system.
• 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. 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
• Experience and understanding of working within a strong health & safety culture
• Good basic knowledge of water and wastewater systems and practices is desirable
• Strong problem-solving skills and drive to resolve issues promptly using initiative
• Strong literacy skills
• Full, clean, class B driving licence. Driving License alternatives an advantage
• 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.

The Role:

The Water/Wastewater 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/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.

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 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 – indicative list:

• Support the operation of the water and 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 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.
• 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.
• 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, class B driving licence. Driving License alternatives an advantage.
• 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 
• Strong problem solving skills
• 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

The Role:

The Water/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 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 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 – list is indicative:

• Support 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. 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 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.
• 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, class B driving licence. Driving License alternatives an advantage.
• 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 
• Strong problem-solving skills
• 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