Water Conservation Lead -Wicklow

Uisce Éireann is Ireland’s national regulated water utility and is responsible for providing water and wastewater services throughout Ireland. Our mission is to ensure all of our customers receive a clean, safe and reliable supply of drinking water and have their wastewater collected and safely returned to the environment. We will protect the health and well-being of the people of Ireland, protect the environment in all our activities and support Ireland’s social and economic growth through appropriate investment in water services.             

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

The Leakage Detection sub-area is responsible for leakage detection supported by the Water Leakage Analysis and Water Conservation & Network Planning teams within the Asset Management function. The fix element of Leakage will be undertaken by internal resources in the Water Network M&R team and supplemented by third party / contractors as required. 

The Water Conservation Lead will report directly to the Leakage Operations Regional Manager. The Water Conservation Lead has an area remit and is responsible the monitoring and control of leakage activity within their area with a view to continuously improving the management of the water network. The Water Conservation Lead will be responsible for leading and managing the performance of Leakage Detection team(s) and to provide them with the necessary direction and skills to undertake leakage & network management activities within the water network system in order to deliver Irish Water’s targets in relation to Water Conservation. The role will also assist in directing the Capital interventions required to reduce leakage and will liaise closely with Asset Planning and Infrastructure Delivery teams. 

 Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for overseeing the monitoring and control of leakage detection activity within an area. 

• Responsible for leading and managing the performance of Leakage Detection team(s) and to provide them with the necessary direction and skills to undertake leakage & network management activities within the water network system in order to deliver Irish Water’s targets in relation to Water Conservation / Leakage Management.

• Ensure the teams work in accordance with defined levels of operational competence, health and safety requirements and legislation, QA systems and standard operating procedures using the technology systems provided including handheld technology.

• Responsible for implementing and monitoring use of the handheld technology provided and ensuring associated training of this technology is attended. Ensure use of any new technology and ensuring associated training of this technology is attended.

• Responsible for managing the budget allocated to the teams including approval of purchase requisitions, sourcing the most efficient and cost effective way of utilising the teams to deliver leakage management/UFW reduction activities. 

• Chair Leakage Area Coordination meetings with Operations, Asset Planning & IDD.

• Champion all data investigations to support improving DMA availability & operability in the Leakage Management System in collaboration with the LMS Data Team.

• Responsible for the management of the teams’ material consumption and critical spares, ensuring efficient use of vehicles and equipment distribution throughout the Area. 

• Maximise the effectiveness of the Leak Detection teams and develop and grow the skills of all team members through coaching, training and performance management.

• Ensure all health and safety equipment is provided, appropriate to the job and calibrated periodically. Ensure all health and safety and procedures are adhered to including risk assessments (Safe System of Work Plan), use of PPE etc. 
• Responsible for resource management including team meetings, productivity management, utilisation of technologies, vehicles and undertaking of periodical performance reviews, appraisals and resulting recommendations.
• Consult with the Asset Planning Management Team to prioritise the areas of proactive leakage management in order to appropriately prioritise leakage detection activities and to optimise the use of internal and external service providers as required. Responsible for overseeing the task schedule for leakage detection activity and liaising with Worfklow regarding any changes as necessary.
• Consult with the Water Network Operations Team to prioritise the areas of proactive management in the water network in order to optimise water conservation and consult with Networks Operations & Process Optimisation Teams to oversee the optimisation and management of pumping regimes and reservoir management. 
• Support the maintenance of DMAs including consultation during DMA meter installation to ensure correct configuration.
• Support and provide local guidance to the Asset Planning and Infrastructure Delivery teams to ensure the most efficient Capital interventions are prioritised in DMA’s that require them.
• Ensure leakage surveys and sweeps are carried out within the Area pro-actively monitoring and checking the integrity and operability of DMAs.
• Responsible for ensuring sections of the distribution network are isolated and re-commissioned (alongside the Water Network Operations team) wherever step testing activities are carried out within the Area.
• Prioritise, identify and select the most appropriate techniques and leakage detection methods required to carry out both proactive and if required reactive leakage control.
• Engage with third parties/contractors as required. Manage Operational support for all IDD Contractor leakage activities Ensure permits/access/transfers to all relevant contractors are implemented. Responsible for undertaking review of leakage detection activities performed by contractors.
• Engage with Roads Authorities as required. Ensure Road Opening Licences / Traffic Management plans are developed and submitted for approval as appropriate.
• Responsible for establishing plans with internal and external resources on how leakage sweeps and surveys will be undertaken.  Provide input into all processes and procedures affecting leakage management and set priorities on all leakage target activities required within the region to ensure that sources of leakage are located quickly and repaired.
• Responsible for daily decisions on the delivery of the Leakage Detection team’s objectives including how, when and to whom to escalate problems.
• Responsible for ensuring network information is properly reported following investigations. Liaise with the Asset Intelligence team to ensure that reported information is updated on enterprise systems (GIS, Maximo etc.).
• Organise and manage contractors for the repair of the integrity of a DMA through boundary valve repair or through the repair of faulty apparatus such as meters or logging equipment when this has been identified as part of any operability checks.
• Develop effective working relationships within the Leakage Detection team and liaise regularly with other teams in adjoining areas e.g. Asset Planning, Water Network Operations, Water Network M&R and Infrastructure Delivery (Water Network Programme) teams on all aspects of network performance that may affect the region e.g. leakage and pressures.
• Responsible for the review of proposed asset interventions and liaising with Asset Planning where appropriate as part of resolution plan development.
• Provide emergency cover to Water Networks Operations team on any areas relevant to effective leakage control if required.
• Participate in out of hours and standby working.
• Responsible for ensuring direct reports operate and maintain Irish Water vehicles, as required, in a responsible manner in line with all relevant Irish Water vehicle, health, safety and security policies. Other responsibilities include: Monitoring driver compliance, completing vehicle inspections and recording and reporting any vehicle defects to Shared Services.
• Responsible for managing field-based teams, preparing, and delivering timely internal communications. 
• Responsible for monitoring, managing and optimising pumps and reservoirs to ensure CALM networks are achieved in line with Asset Management goals.
• Project manage small project e.g., deployment of flow and pressure loggers.
• 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.
• Perform other duties as required

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years direct relevant experience of working in a water network management role or utility network management role.
• Relevant third level qualification and or accreditation is desirable 
• Water Services Training Group Qualification desirable 
• Full, clean and valid Irish category B driving licence is minimum requirement. Additional Driving License 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).
• We keep each other safe - experience / understanding of working within a strong health & safety culture
• We work better together - capable to work collaboratively across various function to achieve set objectives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Effective communication skills, to engage with a broad range of internal stakeholders and front line employees
• Experience of line and performance management duties 
• We do the right thing - ability to make decisions based on analysis of information within a very fast paced, customer focused environment
• Financial analysis skills

Closing date for applications is : 06/05/2026

 

*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.