Gas Safety Inspector

Our client Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is Ireland's independent energy and water regulator. The work of the CRU impacts every Irish home and business ensuring safe, secure and sustainable energy and water supplies for the benefit of all customers.

Energy Safety Regulation 

The CRU is an evolving and expanding organisation with a current staff complement of 146 which is due to increase to 196 over the next one year. Much of this growth arises as CRU adapts to meet the challenges of the transformation of the energy and water sectors to align with a net-zero carbon and a digital future.

In relation to our safety role, this manifests itself, for example, with the introduction of traditional, lower carbon fuels into new sectors (e.g. compressed natural gas in transport). In addition, there are broad ambitions for the development of offshore renewables at scale and the Government is preparing a national Hydrogen Strategy. Consideration will need to be given to how Ireland addresses the safety risks associated with these new and emerging sectors, and CRU’s role in that. 

The CRU is constantly evolving its safety regulatory framework. Most recently the operation and development of the safety supervisory schemes for gas and electricity have transferred to a new safety supervisory body. 

Three teams make up the Energy Safety Division: 

• Safety Supervisory Body (SSB) team: The Safe Electric scheme for electrical contractors and RGI scheme for gas installers are operated by a third-party SSB on behalf of the CRU. The team ensures the SSB is meeting its contractual obligations and that its approach is effective and consistent to meet the evolving needs of the industry through performance management as well as audits and inspections. The team revises Criteria Documents which set out detailed scheme rules and requirements and engages with a wide variety of stakeholders. Technical inspectors on the team investigate suspected illegal gas and electrical works and gas incidents and the CRU takes enforcement action including prosecutions. 
• Gas safety framework: The team oversees safety regulation of natural gas (transmission network, distribution network, supply and shipping) and LPG distribution network undertakings. This is done through the development of energy safety policy and input into legislative amendments, safety case assessments, audits and inspections, investigation of gas incidents, enforcement, safety performance reporting and review. The Team also chairs a Promotion and Public Awareness Group.
• Petroleum safety team: Regulates upstream (offshore and onshore) petroleum exploration and extraction activities in Ireland. The CRU’s responsibility is to provide effective safety regulatory oversight and reduce the risk and potential consequences of major accidents onshore and offshore to a level that is as low as is reasonably practicable (ALARP). This is done through safety case assessments, issuing safety permits, and monitoring compliance through an audit and inspection regime. 

Role Description 

The Energy Safety Division consists of approximately 25 staff, 9 of whom are inspectors/technical specialists. A vacancy has arisen for a Safety Inspector - Gas within the Energy Safety Division, with an initial posting to the Safety Supervisory Body Team. The CRU are inviting applications for this permanent position, from qualified, experienced individuals to play a key role in energy safety. 

The Safety Inspector will work with the Operations and Contract Manager (Electricity and Gas Safety Regulation), other Inspectors/Specialists, Safety Analysts and where appropriate, external technical consultants, in the discharge of their role.  

While the successful candidate will be posted to the Safety Supervisory Body Team, the individual will also contribute to the wider Energy Safety Division and organisation as required. 

Responsibilities 

The Safety Inspector – Gas’s specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Carrying out audits and inspections of the Safety Supervisory Body operating the RGI scheme and their inspectors, the compilation of associated reports of inspection findings and closing findings; 
• Undertaking investigations in respect of suspected illegal gas works and gas incidents; 
• Recommending enforcement action in accordance with CRU processes and managing follow up actions; 
• Providing input into CRU policies/guidelines/procedures as required;  
• Liaising with relevant national and international bodies as appropriate, including other regulatory bodies;  
• Participating in technical committees under the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)  
• Contributing to the overall delivery of the CRU’s strategic plan 
• Peer reviewing of documents, as requested 
• Providing expert technical advice to the Commission, Senior Management Team and wider organisation on relevant regulatory or technical issues, and 
• Managing and/or mentoring and coaching staff (e.g. on audits, inspections and investigations). 

The Candidate 

Candidates must have on or before the closing date for applications the following: 

Essential requirements

1. Significant relevant experience in regulated gas related industry 
2. Level 8 degree in relevant engineering discipline 
3. Holds qualifications required to become a Registered Gas Installer 
4. Substantial experience in carrying out audits and inspections; 

Desirable requirements

1. Working knowledge of relevant gas standards, codes of practice and international best practice in the gas industry; of relevant gas standards, codes of practice and international best practice in the gas industry;  
2. Experience in incident investigations;  
3. Experience of hazard analysis, risk assessment, mitigation and control; 
4. Experience in carrying out enforcement actions/prosecutions;  
5. Experience of participating in technical working groups; and 
6. Experience of facilitating productive relationships with external stakeholders and regulatory authorities. 

Application Process

Please note, the CRU have engaged Cpl as a data processor to assist the CRU with this recruitment competition. In line with CRU’s data retention policy, information collected by Cpl will be kept for 12 months after the conclusion of the competition.

In order to apply for this opportunity, candidates must submit the application from for this opportunity before the closing date for applications.  

The application from can be found here - https://landing.cpl.com/cru/careers.html

As part of the application form candidates will be required to upload a C.V. and Cover Letter which clearly demonstrates how you meet the key requirements of the role. Should you have any queries, please contact [email protected]. 

The deadline for applications is Monday, 13th May 2024, 12pm (to be received not later than 12 pm). 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend for interview. Candidates may be asked to complete an online assessment and make a short presentation on a brief that will be forwarded prior to interview. A two-stage interview process may also be applied. The CRU may establish a shortlist of suitable candidates for potential future positions within the organisation. 

Please note that candidates must be eligible to work full time in Ireland at time of application.   

If we invite you to interview and you have access needs, please notify us at [email protected] so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

CRU does not reimburse any costs/expenses incurred by the candidate during any part of the interview process. 

The CRU Recruitment Privacy Notice sets out how we protect the privacy rights of job applicants and can be found on the Careers page on the CRU Website (https://www.cru.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/GDPR-Recruitment-Data-Privacy-Notice-May-2018.pdf), or alternatively you can contact [email protected] who will arrange for this to be sent directly to you.