Senior Technical Inspector
- The Commission of Regulation of Utilities
- Hybrid (Dublin, UK)
- Mar 20, 2026
Job Description
Job Title: Senior Technical Inspector
Location: The Exchange, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Hybrid working: Up to 3 days per week
Closing Date: 12.00 pm, Monday, 20 April 2026
Tenure: Appointment will be on a permanent, temporary or specified purpose basis, subject to successful passing of the probationary period. The tenure of this role will be indicated at the offer stage.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)
The 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.
Our Values are at the core of everything that we do.
- Integrity: Trust is vital, so we act with integrity at all times and take balanced, evidence-based decisions that are fair and consistent.
- Professionalism: We are professional in everything we do. We work as a team and always strive to develop our expertise. We are pragmatic and open to alternative processes.
- Openness: We are committed to co-operation. We clearly explain who we are and what we do. Our processes are open, thorough and consider views from all stakeholders. We explain our decisions in clear language.
- Accountability: We are accountable for our decisions and for the way we spend our resources. We are independent and open to scrutiny
Do our values speak to you?
Find out more about the CRU at: https://www.cru.ie/
ABOUT THE JOB
Energy Safety Regulation
The CRU is an evolving and expanding organisation with a current staff complement of approximately 190. We expect a considerable expansion of our workforce during the implementation of our 2025-2027 strategic plan. 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. biomethane injection into the natural gas network, compressed natural gas in transport). In addition, the Government has published 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 has a key role in protecting public safety and the prevention of major accidents in Ireland’s energy sector. This includes safety regulation of:
- Gas (networks, supply, storage, use and liquefied petroleum gas distribution);
- Petroleum (upstream (onshore and offshore) exploration and production of hydrocarbons); and;
- Gas installers and electrical contractors.
Our public safety remit also includes ensuring electrical contractors and gas installers operate to relevant national standards to protect life and property as well as promoting customer awareness of safety.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The CRU are inviting applications for this 4-year fixed-term contract basis position (with a view to permanent appointment), from qualified, experienced individuals to play a key role.
This role will report to the Head of Infrastructure – Energy Safety who is responsible for safety regulation of the following sectors:
- under the CRU’s Gas Safety Framework:
- natural gas transmission and distribution network including biomethane injection;
- LPG distribution networks;
- Shipper and suppliers including CNG suppliers;
- ongoing investigations;
- under the CRU’s Petroleum Safety Framework:
- offshore and onshore designated petroleum activities including well work, production and decommissioning.
The Senior Technical Inspector will manage/ co-manage Safety Analysts/Administrative Officers and work with other Inspectors/Specialists, Managers, Safety Analysts, Administrative Officers and where appropriate, external technical consultants, in the discharge of their role.
While the successful candidate will initially be posted to the Energy Safety Infrastructure sector, the individual will also contribute to the wider Energy Safety Division and organisation as requirements dictate.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Senior Technical Inspector specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Developing safety case compliance assurance programs to meet Gas Safety Framework requirements;
- Carrying out and reporting on inspections and audits on the natural gas and LPG network(s) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) installations;
- Carrying out and reporting on incident investigations and making recommendations for improvements to regulatory frameworks;
- Providing judgement as to whether an operator is in compliance with the Gas Safety Framework;
- Recommending regulatory enforcement action in accordance with CRU processes and managing follow up actions;
- Managing and supporting direct reports in terms of coaching, mentoring, along with skills transfer and development;
- Carrying out appraisals for each direct report through CRU annual appraisal process;
- Providing input into CRU policies/guidelines/procedures as required;
- Liaising with relevant national and international bodies as appropriate, including other regulatory bodies – e.g. the Health and Safety Authority;
- Participating in technical committees under the National Standards Authority of Ireland;
- Contributing to the overall delivery of the CRU’s strategy;
- Peer reviewing of documents, as requested;
- Advising and supporting the Commission, Senior Management Team and wider organisation on relevant regulatory or technical issues, and;
- Carrying out such other functions as may be required from time to time to support the Energy Safety Division and fulfil the business objectives of the CRU.
The above list is not exhaustive. While the successful candidate will be assigned to a particular team within the CRU, they will also be expected to contribute to the work of the wider Division/CRU as requirements dictate.
The CRU may establish a shortlist of suitable candidates for potential future positions that may arise within the organisation.
Essential Requirements
Candidates must have on or before the closing date for applications the following:
- Significant experience related to gas transmission and/or distribution design, construction, commissioning and maintenance
- Significant experience in a regulatory, process industry, civil or mechanical engineering, or gas pipelines/networks environment
- Level 7 degree in a relevant discipline. If a candidate does not currently hold the required qualification, they may still apply, provided they commit to completing the mentioned qualification within 4 years of taking up the post, with the support of CRU.
- Experience of hazard analysis, risk assessment, mitigation and control
- Substantial experience in carrying out audits and inspections
- Experience in relation to safety management systems; and
- Full clean B driver’s licence.
Desirable Requirements
- Level 8 degree in a relevant discipline.
- Experience in the development and/or assessment of Safety cases;
- Experience in incident investigations;
- Working knowledge of relevant gas standards, codes of practice and international best practice in the gas industry;
- Knowledge and understanding of the function and operation of process safety instrumentation and equipment;
- Relevant experience in the energy industry;
- Experience of pipeline surveillance, operation, incident response, crisis management, defect assessment, welding, non-destructive testing, hydro-testing, pipeline inspection;
- Experience of equipment commissioning and qualification of equipment; and;
- Experience of participating in technical working groups.
Core Competencies (Appendix A)
- Excellent planning, organisational and self-management skills;
- Ability to take information and analyse/challenge it in a constructive manner and subsequently communicate it clearly and concisely;
- Proven decision-making ability using sound judgement;
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills;
- Excellent networking/negotiation skills; and
- Excellent team working skills
THE PACKAGE
Salary
*Starting salary of €88,952
Salary scale: €88,952 - €116,142
- *Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum point of the scale.
- The rate of remuneration may be adjusted in line with Government pay policy.
- Candidates should note that different pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is a serving civil or public servant.
- Salary increments will be awarded annually, subject to satisfactory performance.
Benefits
- Attractive Pension Scheme.
- Opportunity to work remotely up to 3 days per week, in addition to up to 6 weeks fully remote.
- Access to the cycle to work scheme.
- Opportunity for further education
- 30 days of annual leave
-
11 bank holidays/ public holidays.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Tax saver Bus / Luas scheme available to assist with travel costs to and from work.
The CRU will provide you with ongoing support and training and there will be ample opportunity for professional development allowing you to maximise your potential and progress your career.
*Travel is implicit in the position. The role requires continuous onsite audit and inspections of undertakings’ infrastructure across Ireland.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The CRU have engaged Cpl Ireland as a data processor to assist the CRU with this recruitment competition.
Cpl Ireland will collect application information and assess suitability on behalf of the CRU.
Information collected by Cpl Ireland will be kept for 12 months after the conclusion of the competition.
Should you have any queries surrounding the application process, please contact CRU@cpl.ie.
Application Procedure
- To apply for this full-time opportunity, candidates must submit an application form for this opportunity before the closing date for applications – (20 April 2026, 12 pm - to be received not later than 12 pm)
- As part of the application form, candidates will be required to upload a Cover Letter and C.V. which clearly demonstrates how they meet the key requirements of the role.
- The application from can be found here - Career Opportunities | The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) (cpl.com)
- Candidates must be eligible to work full-time in Ireland at the time of application.
- The CRU do not reimburse any expenses incurred by candidates during the interview process.
- Any candidate requiring any accommodation for the interview or other elements of the selection process should notify us at cru@cpl.ie so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend for interview.
- Candidates will 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 is applicable.
- The CRU assesses all applicants fairly based on the requirements for the role. Due to the high volume of applications, we receive for positions, we are unable to provide feedback to candidates who are not shortlisted for interview. If you are short-listed for interview, and are subsequently unsuccessful, you can request verbal feedback.
- Candidates may be contacted by CPL via email and/or telephone as part of the recruitment process. It is the responsibility of each candidate to monitor their emails/phones regularly and to ensure that they remain reachable for any communication related to their application.
- In addition, if a presentation is part of the interview, then it must be submitted by the deadline given, or the interview will not take place.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
The CRU is an equal opportunities employer who are committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce. We endeavour to create a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunities offered and so reasonable accommodations will be provided, if required, during this process.
Please contact CRU@cpl.ie , in confidence, should you require any assistance.
RECRUITMENT PRIVACY NOTICE
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, or alternatively you can contact CRU@cpl.ie who will arrange for this to be sent directly to you.
Regulating energy and water for a changing climate
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is Ireland’s independent energy and water regulator.