Water Treatment Operator - Adamstown Water Treatment Plant - Waterford

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.

Reporting to the Water Treatment Operations Team Lead, the Water Treatment Operator will have a remit over an assigned treatment plant, carrying out routine maintenance activities on assets in accordance with the task schedule. The Water Treatment Operator shall provide appropriate cover for other Operators at other assigned Treatment Plants or assets as required. The Adamstown Water Treatment Plant operates on a 24/7/365 basis, therefore working hours for this role will be on a shift rotation pattern. Following a period of training, shifts will be assigned on a 24/7 basis year-round. Shifts will be 12 hours in duration, and you will be required to cover day and night shifts. A shift premium will be provided in addition to base salary. 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 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 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.
• Maintain 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.

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. 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.
• 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.
• 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 Licence 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).
• 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.
• With full training and risk assessment, the role holder must have the ability to work in.
• A minimum of 1 years' experience in a similar role in the water, utilities or similar industries would be an advantage but not essential.
• Proactive, with ability to work on own initiative and with others to ensure success in the performance of a team.
• Proven effective time management skills with the ability to prioritise and remain focused.
• We work better together - proven ability to create and develop good working relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals, coupled with the ability to gain commitment from others.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey messages in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to set up ongoing processes and procedures to collect and review information.
• We aim high - flexible with regard to working in a changing environment and the ability to adjust to new work structures, processes and requirements as necessary.
• Proactively identifying new areas of learning and using newly gained knowledge and skills on the job.
• Striving for quality and ensuring consistent high standards of work.
• Strong Computer skills with a proficient working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Please note that there will be a requirement to be located within a reasonable distance from the assigned work area in order to be able to respond to out of hours requirements in a timely manner. 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 (plus a shift premium). 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.