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.

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

The Water Treatment Operator shall provide appropriate cover for other Operators as required.

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

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
Implement and follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that are in effect at the plant and any such further or revised SOPs that may be introduced from time-to-time Uisce Eireann in the interests of properly operating and maintaining the plant 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.
Conduct daily indicative operational checks and analysis as required and reporting results through appropriate systems.
Monitor and respond to SCADA/telemetry alerts in accordance with standards and procedures and take appropriate corrective actions.
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.
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.
Support in the operation of newly commissioned/upgraded assets as required including undertaking of relevant training.
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
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
Where necessary, seek guidance from Team Lead on the carrying out of site risk assessments
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
Keep up to date with current best practice, legislative requirements and guidance documents in relation to drinking water treatment and production.
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 in support of the proper and continual operation of the plant.

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. Additional Driving License categories 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 closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is 25th January 2026.

Please note that applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.

*Please be advised that if successful you will be placed on the salary range based on your skills and experience. 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.

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.

Water Treatment Operator - Beara Peninsula, Cork

Job Description