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 Network Maintenance and Repair Senior Operative is responsible for supporting the operation of the water network infrastructure in a safe manner.

Reporting to the Water Network Maintenance and Repair Team Lead, the Water Network Maintenance and Repair Senior Operative role provides day to day leadership and direction on the ground to ensure consistent delivery of water services.

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

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

•    Supervise the 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.
•    Ensure the prompt response to alarms, the provision of emergency cover and resolution of issues and incidents on water network infrastructure assets.
•    Direct the maintenance and repair of non-domestic water meters, including undertaking site investigations and removing and replacing meters, liaising with the Metering Services team as appropriate.
•    Supervise the teams to 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.
•    Oversee teams to promptly record and accurately report relevant information in relation to the operation of the 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.
•    Monitor all works undertaken, manage the requisitions for materials in your teams and ensure details are accurately recorded on or off system as required ensuring all incidents are recorded in detail with the circumstances of same.
•    Ensure adherence and compliance with all health and safety procedures and perform risk assessments (Safe System of Work Plan), use of PPE, and required duties under the Construction Regulations
•    Ensure the operations of 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 where required.
•    Ensure adherence of teams to allocated task schedule, standard operating procedures and close out of work orders on completion of task, supporting the roll out and development of standard operating procedures when required.
•    Work with third parties/contractors to support undertaking activity on the network.
•    Issue permits to work to all relevant contractors and ensure they follow health and safety procedures.
•    Engage with internal and external stakeholders as required. For example, Landowners, relevant Uisce Éireann personnel, third parties/contractors.
•    Ensure the tracking and monitoring of team activities, update timesheets, sign off on time and attendance and performance evaluation and support your line manager with the generation of any ad hoc reporting and/or performance management as required
•    Drive the efficiency of all the works carried out by teams under your leadership, regularly inspecting works carried out and tracking the training required to be delivered to your teams.
•    Provide cover and support to other water operations teams as required which may involve taking additional duties to cover annual leave or sickness etc.

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.
•    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.
•    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
•    Minimum two years relevant experience working in a similar role
•    Plumbing qualification preferable
•    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). C licence is desirable.
•    We work better together- previous experience of supervising or managing teams working in health and safety culture preferred and in a water or wastewater networks environment 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
•    Experience of using IT systems
•    Strong problem solving skills
•    We deliver for customers and communities - strong customer service skills with demonstrable experience of dealing with customer
•    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
•    Experience working within Water Services and/or other Utilities an advantage

*Successful external candidates will be offered a salary within the advertised range based on an assessment of their relevant skills, qualifications, experience and readiness to undertake the responsibilities of the role.

Internal candidates will be considered in line with the application of Uisce Éireann's Pay Model and associated pay policies.

The salary range is designed to recognise that successful candidates may join the organisation at different stages in their career, while also providing scope for future salary progression as capability and experience develop.

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 Network Maintenance & Repair Senior Operative - Wicklow

Job Description