Water Treatment Operations Team Lead - Lee Road Water Treatment Plant

The Role

We are the Asset Operations function that supports national and regional delivery of water and wastewater operational services. The Water Treatment Operations Team Lead reports to the Water Plant Operations Lead and is responsible for leading and managing a team of operators to produce optimum water quality and ensure compliance with legislation while operating within budgetary constraints.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of water treatment operators, providing direction and skills to ensure the operation of treatment assets and compliance with environmental consents and safety legislation.
• Respond to SCADA/telemetry alarms efficiently and in accordance with standards and procedures; request critical alarm level changes to the Telemetry Services team.
• Interact with Treatment Operators and Senior Operators to understand asset needs and submit intervention requests to Treatment Planning with supplementary information.
• Capture data on relevant issues to support the development of operational, maintenance and repair plans; liaise with the Operations Planning Specialist for performance reviews, appraisals and recommendations.
• Manage and organise maintenance and repair of newly commissioned/upgraded assets, providing appropriate site training and resource support.
• Develop team skills through coaching and training in all aspects of operation management.
• Contribute to task schedules and SOPs that maximise output quality, efficiency and process adoption.
• Implement process optimisation recommendations to improve treatment performance or deliver efficiencies.
• Participate in out of hours and standby working as required.

Budget Management

• Manage costs associated with the water/wastewater team.
• Co ordinate efficient use of budgetary resources through team meetings, productivity management, vehicle utilisation, work task implementation and monitoring of operations.

Customer and Incident Management

• Manage proactive and reactive activities to deliver consistent customer service.
• Investigate complaints regarding water services, engaging internal and external stakeholders.
• Enter updates into the outage management system.
• Coordinate incident and emergency response, ensuring health and safety standards and pollution classifications are met in conjunction with the Pollution Control Coordinator.

Health and Safety

• Ensure all health and safety inductions are completed and equipment is provided, calibrated, and appropriate.
• Implement Construction Regulations duties under Uisce Éireann policies, safety statements, and plans; oversee best practice standards.
• Adhere to health and safety procedures, including risk assessments, PPE usage, and Safe System of Work plans.
• Ensure personnel hold relevant safety documentation (Safe Pass cards, Construction Skills Certificate cards).
• Identify hazards and assess risks for operational areas.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with key internal stakeholders across the business.
• Promote and deliver health and safety commitments, reinforcing positive behaviours and meeting high industry standards.
• Support the Uisce Éireann Transformation Programme, driving results within the Directorate and supporting organisation wide objectives.
• Provide visible leadership, coaching and development to the team, fostering collaboration and aligning behaviours with expectations.
• Conduct duties in accordance with Information Security policies, standards, processes and controls to protect confidentiality and compliance with the NIS Directive and other cybersecurity regulations.
• Perform additional duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Secondary education or equivalent work experience.
• Experience in a process/chemical driven industry.
• Minimum of 3 years direct relevant experience in a similar role within water/wastewater treatment and/or network distribution services.
• Preferably FETAC level 5 / QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate or equivalent.
• Full, clean and valid Irish category B driving licence; clean licence means no conviction under the Road Traffic Acts (excluding penalty point offences).
• Team leader skills - building a high performing team, coaching, delegation and support.
• Confidence in driving team performance and striving for continuous improvement of assets and resources.
• Digital literacy - effective use of IT devices and software, influencing a smart technology culture.
• Deep understanding of water quality assessment, environmental impacts and relevant scientific principles.
• Analytical skills - interpret complex data, statistical analysis and modelling.
• Strong knowledge of relevant environmental legislation, rules and standards for compliance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for conveying complex information to diverse stakeholders.
• Analytical problem solving - develop effective solutions for water quality challenges.
• Project management - planning, implementing, managing projects, meeting deadlines, allocating resources.
• Team coordination and motivation, effective collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Meticulous attention to detail for accurate testing, monitoring and reporting.

Additional Requirements

Applicants must be located within reasonable distance from the assigned work area/base location to enable timely response to out of hours requirements.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Uisce Éireann is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from interested and suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, traveller community, religion or beliefs, civil status, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability.