The National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS) wishes to recruit a Water Safety Planning and Sustainability Officer.
Group water schemes form an integral part of rural Ireland and, as the sector’s representative body, the NFGWS provides essential assistance in ensuring their continued success. This new role will support the organisation in providing mentorship to the group water scheme sector, particularly in relation to regulatory obligations around risk assessments/risk management of supply systems, promoting environmental stewardship and helping to ensure long-term sector resilience.
Summary of Primary Duties
- Work with senior management to lead and co-ordinate a NFGWS strategy for assisting GWSs in completing drinking water safety plans (WSPs)
- This role will particularly focus on assisting the NFGWS development team with the roll-out of risk assessment and risk management of supply systems from the abstraction point onwards
- Refine the NFGWS water safety planning tool, based on technical guidance from the EPA, local authorities and other stakeholders
- Collaborate with NFGWS management and development staff in planning and executing a national risk assessment/risk management programme
- Liaise with the NFGWS source protection and development teams in regard to risk assessment/management of source catchments
- Provide guidance to the NFGWS development team and other colleagues to ensure a consistent approach to the risk assessment/risk management process
- Compile reports and contribute to national datasets on WSP implementation and sector performance
- Conduct analysis of trends and data to help prioritise relevant risk management elements and escalate remediation actions
- Work with colleagues to review and update NFGWS training and guidance material in relation to quality assurance and other relevant areas
- Design and deliver training workshops, webinars, and on-site mentoring for NFGWS and GWS personnel in relation to water safety planning
- Assist GWSs in meeting statutory and regulatory requirements
- Liaise with local authorities, government departments, and external agencies and represent the NFGWS on any relevant working groups/stakeholder groups as required
- Assist in the development and maintenance of data analysis solutions to facilitate compliance data management and reporting requirements
- Work with NFGWS senior management and staff to help in achieving its sustainability goals, focusing on areas such as climate resilience, community participation and helping to ensure that GWSs have robust operational structures and good governance practices
- Collaborate with NFGWS colleagues in promoting biodiversity enhancement and climate action across the GWS sector
- Promote and support GWSs develop and modernise their management and operation systems through effective communication
- Assist in the continued success of the Design Build and Operate (DBO) process as a means of ensuring long-term water quality assurance and meeting regulatory obligations
- Prepare and present reports on all aspects of work, as required from time to time.
- Provide general support to the senior management team and assisting other members of NFGWS staff as required.
- Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time by the Senior Management Team, their nominees, or successors
Minimum requirements
- Relevant third level qualification, preferably in regard to Drinking Water Treatment, Engineering or qualifications related to Sustainability
- Minimum five years’ experience related to drinking water safety planning/drinking water quality assurance
- Strong understanding of drinking water regulations and other relevant legislation, including but not limited to the Water Framework Directive and the Water Environment (Abstractions & Impoundments) Act 2022
- Knowledge of drinking water treatment processes, network management and other areas concerning the drinking water safety planning process
- Hold a valid EU Driving Licence and access to their own motor vehicle.
- Experience in managing and co-ordinating relevant projects on a national basis, particularly in relation to sustainability
- Demonstrated knowledge and interest in areas related to environmental sustainability e.g. water protection, biodiversity enhancement, climate action
- High level of interpersonal skills and a confident public speaker with an ability to collate and distil information for presentation
- Strong organisational skills and competence in report writing, with a high level of competency in office administration and IT
Base
- The position will be based in our regional office in Tullamore, County Offaly.
- Blended home/office working arrangements are available in accordance with NFGWS policies, following successful completion of a probationary period.
- This position does require flexibility including working out of hours on occasion.
Benefits
- Competitive salary, commensurate with qualifications and experience
- PRSA facilitation with 6% Employer’s Contribution
Applications
- Interested candidates can apply by submitting their CV and a cover letter that briefly outlines how their experience and skills align with the specific requirements of this role, to martha@nfgws.ie on or before 9am Monday 13 April 2026
- Cover letter must clearly indicate the position the applicant is applying for:
- Re: Application for the position of Water Safety Planning and Sustainability Officer
Citizenship requirements
Eligible candidates must be:
- A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or
- A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
- A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
- A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or
- A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or
- A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.
To qualify, candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.
About the National Federation of Group Water Schemes
Group water schemes are community-owned and community-operated drinking water supplies, which provide drinking water to approximately 200,000 people across rural Ireland. The National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS) is the representative organisation for the group water scheme sector. While representing the sector at national, regional & local level, the Federation also provides an essential advisory and mentoring service for approximately 380 group water scheme members through its regional offices located in Monaghan, Tuam & Tullamore.
Established in 1998, the NFGWS continues to represent and provide support to the community- owned group water scheme sector today in its delivery of essential drinking water services across rural Ireland. The organisation also works in partnership with the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government and Local Authorities in the delivery of the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme.
Group water schemes are independently owned, with high levels of volunteer involvement at board level and an increasingly professional approach to daily operations. GWSs that are affiliated to the NFGWS liaise closely with Federation staff on all aspects of GWS management.
