Blockage Engineer (Fermanagh)

Vortex Companies, LLC; Newry; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Vortex Companies, LLC is seeking a field-based drainage technician to operate, maintain and deploy specialised drainage equipment, including CCTV inspection tools. You will perform routine checks, clear blockages, and take responsibility for safe site practices within sewer networks.

A valid driver’s licence and strong customer service are essential. You will work in variable shifts with out-of-hours standby, requiring autonomy and strict safety adherence in potentially hazardous environments.

Qualifications

• Experience in a field-based drainage role is required.
• Must have knowledge of confined space entry and construction safety.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills with a customer-service track record.
• Possession of a current valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Take accountability for safe deployment, operational efficiency, and daily maintenance of drainage fleet and equipment.
• Perform pre-start asset checks and cleaning to minimise downtime.
• Execute reactive and planned maintenance across the sewer network, clearing blockages and debris.
• Operate CCTV pipeline inspection cameras to survey and identify defects.
• Enter confined spaces safely to inspect and clear; use gas monitors and safety equipment.
• Work autonomously in lone-working conditions and participate in on-call standby rota.

Skills

Field-based drainage

Safety & risk awareness

Verbal communication

Customer service

Driver's license

Tools

CCTV cameras

Push-rod systems

Gas monitors

Rescue equipment

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Equipment Operation & Maintenance

• Take full accountability for the safe deployment, operational efficiency, and daily maintenance of specialised drainage fleet and equipment (including high-pressure water jetting rigs, mechanical rods, and vacuum machinery).
• Perform routine pre-start asset checks and cleaning protocols to minimise machinery downtime and ensure full operational readiness.

Frontline Sewer Maintenance & Clearing

• Execute reactive and planned maintenance tasks across the sewer network, systematically clearing blockages, structural scaling, and heavy debris.
• Manage environmental safety by conducting thorough site containment, wash-downs, and bio-hazard clean-ups following sewer flooding or overflows.

CCTV Asset Surveying & Defect Identification

• Operate advanced CCTV pipeline inspection cameras and push-rod systems to perform precise condition surveys of subterranean sewer networks.
• Analyse live video feeds to identify, log, and classify structural anomalies or system defects.

Confined Space & High-Risk Protocols

• Conduct safe, compliant entries into certified Confined Spaces (manholes, chambers, and deep pumping stations) to perform physical inspections and manual clearances.
• Enforce strict health and safety frameworks, operating specialised safety kit including gas monitors, escape breathing apparatus, tripods, and rescue winches.

Working Patterns & Out-of-Hours Responsibilities

• Demonstrate high levels of autonomy and strict adherence to personal safety protocols when undertaking lone-working tasks in the field.
• Participate in a variable shift pattern and a mandatory out-of-hours emergency standby rota. This requires a highly flexible approach to working hours, as evening, weekend, and bank holiday callouts will be required to resolve critical network emergencies.

Essential Criteria / MinimumExperience andTraining

• Previous experience in a field-based drainage role
• Knowledge in confined space entry, cleaning sewer lines, and construction safety
• Must have strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills and a proven track record in customer service
• Possess a current valid driver’s license

Vortex Companies, LLC and all of its subsidiaries, considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, or sexual orientation. All applicants will be considered solely on the basis of their qualifications.

We are a fair chance employer.