Laboratory Scientist – Inorganic Chemistry (Drinking Water)

Uisce Éireann Irish Water; Limerick; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Uisce Éireann is seeking a Laboratory Scientist – Inorganic Chemistry in Drinking Water to support the quality service, perform sample preparation, analyses and reporting under ISO17025 and EPA standards.

The role involves day-to-day laboratory operations, participation in rosters including weekends/public holidays, and collaboration across the STS and UE teams to achieve strategic objectives while upholding HSQE standards.

Responsibilities

• Assist with delivery of a high-quality service to UÉ and its customers, with processes complying with the requirements of the EPA, INAB, ISO17025 standards, regulatory requirements, and the management system.
• Responsible for the analysis of clean samples for chemical analyses in their area.
• Participate in the weekend and public holiday roster within the Chemistry laboratories when required, per approved rotas.
• Participate in the development, verification, and validation of new and existing methodologies for the analysis of waters and related samples in UÉ, as required.
• Responsible for participation in proficiency testing (PT) Schemes in their area.
• Drive cost efficiency and quality, challenging and developing solutions for improvements to existing practices and adopting industry best practice.
• Timely reporting, review, and authorisation of laboratory test results (including statements of conformity where applicable) in their department, in compliance with the Quality System, ISO17025 and regulatory requirements.
• Undertake and participate in risk assessments (H&S and operational) in their area, according to ISO17025, UÉ and QMS requirements, as required.
• Participate in internal audits according to ISO17025 and QMS requirements, as required.
• Undertake and participate in nonconforming work investigations according to ISO17025 and QMS requirements, as required.
• Perform equipment trouble shooting, maintenance and checks as trained and directed, ensuring the equipment is fit for purpose, in compliance with ISO 17025.
• Preparation of standards and quality controls and monitoring of performance (for example, control charts, calibration curves) in their area, as required.
• Establish and maintain positive, professional working relationships with the Laboratory team and supporting UÉ HR policies and initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with Line Manager, team and with wider STS and UE stakeholders to deliver strategic objectives.
• Monitor and report KPIs for processes as assigned.
• Responsible for carrying out any other duties which the Technical Manager may reasonably request.
• Adhere to all HSQE plans, policies and procedures.

Job description

The Environmental Regulation function is responsible for the day-to-day management of environmental regulation and compliance. The function monitors the compliance of the water and wastewater network and treatment works, influences external environmental policy, and manages environmental stakeholder relationships. Environmental Regulation provides expertise to the Uisce Éireann business on influencing environmental policy and managing stakeholders around environmental regulation affecting Uisce Éireann’s practices. The function provides regulatory expertise to the business, including the Senior Leadership team, in all aspects of environmental regulation. The team provides support on legislative and regulatory changes that will affect Uisce Éireann policies in the future.

The Scientific and Technical Services functional area is responsible for the national provision of operational support services to include sampling and laboratory analytics, ensuring that activities are performed in accordance with regulatory obligations to protect public health and the environment. The Laboratory sub-area is responsible for providing chemical and microbiological analytical services in support of the regulatory sampling programs, operational monitoring, capital investment, and customer complaints.

Reporting directly to the Technical Manager- Inorganic Chemistry- Drinking Water, the Laboratory Scientist – Inorganic Chemistry- Drinking Water is responsible for assisting with delivering a quality service to Uisce Éireann and its customers, complying with the requirements of the Quality management system and ISO17025 standard. This will be achieved by contributing to team performance and the efficient and effective use of resources. They will participate in the day-to-day operation of the laboratory, carrying out sample preparation, analysis and reporting duties for Water Samples for Uisce Éireann (UÉ) as required.

Please note the following working hours and duties apply to the operational phase of the Laboratory and Sampling service. There will be an initial development phase in which working hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and duties relating to the development of the service will apply until the operational phase commences.

The role requires flexibility in terms of working hours as the role holder will be required to participate in standard hours working rosters to cover Laboratory operational hours of 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. There is also a service commitment to providing laboratory cover on weekends and Public Holidays. When required to perform weekend/public holiday work this will be infrequent as part of a defined rota and in addition to the standard working week. Rostered work performed outside 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday will be remunerated as a roster participation allowance.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with delivery of a high-quality service to UÉ and its customers, with processes complying with the requirements of the EPA, INAB, ISO17025 standards, regulatory requirements, and the management system.
• Responsible for the analysis of clean samples for chemical analyses in their area.
• Participate in the weekend and public holiday roster within the Chemistry laboratories when required, per approved rotas.
• Participate in the development, verification, and validation of new and existing methodologies for the analysis of waters and related samples in UÉ, as required.
• Responsible for participation in proficiency testing (PT) Schemes in their area.
• Drive cost efficiency and quality, challenging and developing solutions for improvements to existing practices and adopting industry best practice.
• Timely reporting, review, and authorisation of laboratory test results (including statements of conformity where applicable) in their department, in compliance with the Quality System, ISO17025 and regulatory requirements.
• Undertake and participate in risk assessments (H&S and operational) in their area, according to ISO17025, UÉ and QMS requirements, as required.
• Participate in internal audits according to ISO17025 and QMS requirements, as required.
• Undertake and participate in nonconforming work investigations according to ISO17025 and QMS requirements, as required.
• Perform equipment trouble shooting, maintenance and checks as trained and directed, ensuring the equipment is fit for purpose, in compliance with ISO 17025.
• Preparation of standards and quality controls and monitoring of performance (for example, control charts, calibration curves) in their area, as required.
• Establish and maintain positive, professional working relationships with the Laboratory team and supporting UÉ HR policies and initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with Line Manager, team and with wider STS and UE stakeholders to deliver strategic objectives.
• Monitor and report KPIs for processes as assigned.
• Responsible for carrying out any other duties which the Technical Manager may reasonably request.
• Adhere to all HSQE plans, policies and procedures.