Beach Operative

Clare County Council/ Comhairle Contae an Chláir is the authority responsible for Local Government in County Clare. The corporate headquarters are located at Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis and there are four Municipal Districts (Ennis, Shannon, Killaloe, and West Clare) which are supported through area offices in Ennis, Scarriff, Shannon, Ennistymon and Kilrush. There are 28 elected members, approximately 990 staff and an annual operating budget of €204 million in 2026.

Clare County Council provides a diverse range of services across a large geographic area. Key services areas include planning, Local Enterprise Office, rural and community development, transportation, motor tax, water, environment, emergency services along with housing activation & delivery, libraries, and sports & amenities, property management, derelict sites, and vacant homes. These operations are supported by internal services which include ICT & Digital Services, Corporate Services & Governance, Finance and People and Culture functions.

There is a diverse demographic across urban and rural communities with tourism bringing seasonal changes in population and activity in the county. The Shannon estuary, Shannon Airport, industrial zones, and geographic location between larger urban areas, coupled with the unique landscape and heritage add to the diversity of activity in the County. Local democracy is strengthened through the Municipal Districts and changes in legislation and regulation have placed greater emphasis on the role of the Local Authority in driving economic activity, ensuring accountability, accessibility and innovation while placing the customer and the community to the fore of service delivery.

Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post of Permanent Beach Operative North Clare from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Positions will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. This panel will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period of 6-12 months at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

The Beach Operatives undertake routine cleaning including litter picking, management and emptying of bins. They will be a positive force welcoming those visiting our beaches at Fanore, Lahinch, White Strand Miltown Malbay, Spanish Point, Seafield Quilty, the harbour at Doolin Pier or any other beach or area as may be assigned in the County.

The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require.

The duties will include but will not be limited to the following:

Willingness to answer questions from members of the public.

A desire to educate people to leave the beach / harbour / location as they find it.

Regular cleaning and maintenance of public toilets to a level that they will allow for continuous use by members of the public. Cleaning of toilets and cubicles, washing of floors and windows, management of litter bins within toilet buildings, general maintenance etc.

Distributing doggie bags.

Litter picking to include promenade, footpaths, beach, playground, car parks, other streets and lanes as directed by the line manager.

Sweeping of footpaths, painting and other minor tasks as instructed by the by the line manager.

Street Sweeping including Sweeping of public roads and footpaths, painting and other minor tasks as instructed by by the line manager.

Undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required from time to time.

During busy times successful candidates may be required to work spilt shifts.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

1. Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

2. Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(a) Have a reasonable standard of education sufficient to perform the job efficiently and effectively.

And

(b) Possess adequate experience which would demonstrate the capacity to carry out the various roles of the post.

And

(c) hold a current full Class B Driving Licence.

Failure to input and upload proof of essential educational qualifications in your application form will deem you ineligible for this competition.

*Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Starting pay for new entrants to the sector will be at the minimum of the scale.

The current salary scale applicable to the post (1st February 2026): €693.83 - €708.09 - €751.26 - €754.80 - €758.19 - €760.10 - €762.06 - €763.98 - €765.88 - €767.90 - €769.90 - €772.00 - €774.08 - €774.08 - €774.87

You will be required to work a 39-hour week (5 Days per week). Your hours/days of work will be decided by your line manager. Hours worked above 39 hours will be paid at normal overtime rates.

Lunch Break is 30 minutes.

The Council reserves the right to alter the number of hours worked each day/each week and/or the times at or the days on which the hours are to be worked. You will be given as much notice as is reasonably practicable of any change in the schedule of hours worked.

You may be required to work overtime depending on work requirements and be available for on-call duties/emergencies. Where possible you will be notified in advance.

Each candidate must be under 70 years of age on the latest date for receipt of completed Application Forms for the office if they are deemed not to be new entrants to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.

However, the age restriction of 70 years does not apply to "new entrants" to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.