Wastewater Plant Operations Supervisor

The role will be primarily based in the Killarney WWTP.

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 Wastewater O&M Management area is responsible for the national delivery of wastewater operational services through the operation, inspection, maintenance and repair of the wastewater network and treatment assets.

Reporting to the Wastewater Treatment Operations Manager, the Wastewater Plant Operations Supervisor will be responsible for managing the provision of treatment services with respect to a specific plant or plants within a region. This includes the safe operation and maintenance of assets, leading and managing the performance of a team of operators, and managing operational contractors that work on Uisce Éireann assets. They will provide operational insights to technical and service risk issues and collaborate with colleagues across the organization to ensure successful delivery of minor capital programmes and operational interventions.

Main Duties and Responsibilities Managing Plant Operations

• Manage the day-to-day provision of treatment services with respect to a treatment plant or plants, ensuring that regulatory compliance and customer service standards are met.
• Lead and manage the performance of a team of wastewater operations and maintenance staff, providing direction and skills development.
• Interact with operations and maintenance staff to understand asset needs and identify potential wastewater treatment operations intervention requests, submitting these to Treatment Planning with necessary information.
• Capture data on relevant issues to contribute to the development of operational, maintenance and repair plans, liaising with Operations Planning for performance reviews, appraisals and recommendations.
• Manage and organise the maintenance and repair of newly commissioned or upgraded assets, undertaking appropriate site training and supporting adequate resourcing.
• Develop the skills of team members through coaching and training in all aspects of operation.
• Coordinate the movement of all sludge arising from wastewater operational processes, optimising sludge contracts with Operational Contract Management.
• Accurately record and promptly report information (including service risks) for audit purposes and service risk escalations using the technology systems provided.
• Contribute to the development of task schedules and standard operating procedures to maximise quality, efficiency and process adoption.
• Monitor and report KPIs for owned processes.
• Keep up to date with best practice, capturing lessons and updating improvement plans.
• Support adherence of teams to allocated task schedules, standard operating procedures, and close out of work orders upon completion.
• Support rollout and development of standard operating procedures as required.
• Provide technical oversight of third parties/contractors, including permits to work and permits to enter.
• Support Key Account Managers with queries relating to issues affecting Key Accounts in the regional area, including site visits when required.
• Support the Customer Contact Centre/Technical Lead with escalated customer issues/queries, including site visits as necessary.

Budget Management

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

Supporting Specialised Works

• Oversee Specialised Works scoping and method statement reviews.
• Support field teams with complex asset system integrity challenges, assisting in determining causes and forecasting impacts.
• Liaise with Asset Planning to support definition and management of the investment plan, including asset base assessment, risk assessments, needs identification and intervention generation.
• Support operational and strategic change initiatives in liaison with Operational Control & Support Teams.

Health and Safety

• Ensure all health and safety inductions are completed and equipment is provided, with necessary calibrations performed periodically.
• Implement Construction Regulations duties under Uisce Éireann policies and safety plans, overseeing best practice standards and safe working practices.
• Adhere to health and safety procedures, including risk assessments, safe system of work plans and PPE use.
• Ensure personnel have relevant safety skills, training, and documentation, including Safe Pass cards and Construction Skills Certificate cards where required.
• Identify hazards and assess risks for operational areas of responsibility.
• Carry out any other duties deemed necessary by line manager.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with key internal stakeholders across the UÉ business.
• Promote and deliver health and safety commitments across UÉ and its supply chain, reinforcing positive behaviours and meeting industry standards.
• Support delivery of the Asset Operations Transformation Programme, driving required results within the Directorate and supporting organization wide objectives.
• Provide visible leadership for the team, coaching and developing them to achieve full potential and deliver business objectives, promoting collaboration.
• Participate in out of hours and escalation standby working as required.
• Provide emergency cover as required.
• Support and/or manage engagement with regulatory and other stakeholders as required.
• Perform other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Relevant third level qualification and/or accreditation is desirable.
• Minimum of 3 years direct relevant experience in a similar role within water treatment or network & maintenance repair service is desirable.
• FETAC level 5 / QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate or equivalent - Craft in apprenticeship such as Craft of Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting is desirable.
• Experience and capability of building a high performing team and developing people to realise their full potential and achieve results through effective coaching, delegation and support.
• Knowledge of water or wastewater treatment and/or maintenance and repair of water or wastewater treatment and network assets is an advantage.
• Knowledge of risk management principles and guidelines (ISO 31000) and risk identification at water and wastewater assets.
• Effective communication skills to engage with a broad range of internal stakeholders and front line employees.
• Computing skills - ability to create and interpret spreadsheets and databases.
• An understanding of key network infrastructure (e.g. control valves, pumps, etc.) is an advantage.
• Experience/understanding of working within a strong health & safety culture.
• Knowledge of application of current legislation, standards, processes and procedures relevant to water and wastewater.
• Budget management experience.
• Capability to work collaboratively across various functions and achieve set objectives.
• Experience in a customer focused business.
• Knowledge of managing process compliance.

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 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.