Caretaker

Education and Qualifications

Have obtained at least Grade D3 in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination (higher, ordinary, applied or vocational programmes) or equivalent, or have passed an examination at the appropriate level within the QQI qualifications framework which can be assessed as being comparable to Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent or higher, or have appropriate relevant experience which encompasses equivalent skills and expertise.

Experience

Relevant experience as a caretaker with associated responsibilities.

Numeracy/Literacy

Good numeracy and literacy skills.

KEY ELEMENTS OF THE JOB / DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The duties of a Caretaker are listed below:

To take care of the premises and contents and to prevent, as far as possible, any damage to the structure, furniture, fittings and equipment.

To be responsible for the opening and closing of the buildings as required.

Ensure that the building is safe and secure.

To keep the premises, furniture and equipment secure.

To keep the premises, furniture and fittings in a clean condition (this includes bathrooms on a continual basis throughout the day in accordance with requirements of the H.S.E./Environmental Health Officer).

To keep in a clean condition all glass doors, windows, etc., and to carry out painting of walls, woodwork and window frames as directed by the Line Manager.

To see to the heating requirements of the building and safeguard the heating and water pipes during the cold period of the year.

To keep in safe custody the keys of all rooms in the building and to ensure that no unauthorised person has access to any part of the building.

To set out and transfer, as required, equipment and furniture, including preparation for group meetings and other events.

To give such assistance as may be required outside the building as directed by the Line Manager.

To keep the grounds in good order, including maintenance of paths, parking areas and all access routes.

To open and close the building as directed by the Line Manager.

To note and arrange for the receipt of furniture, equipment, food supplies, fuel and other materials for general use.

To perform such similar duties as may be required and generally to carry out such duties as may be required from time to time by the ETB, the Chief Executive and Line Manager.

To complete relevant documentation as required under Health and Safety legislation.

To work in compliance with the Building’s Safety Statement.

To carry out any other duties appropriate to the position.

This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and, consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Chief Executive and to contribute to the development of the post while in the role.

The Office

This is a permanent pensionable post. The normal working week is 39 hours on a five-day week basis, excluding breaks. The schedule of hours is to be agreed with the Line Manager.

The holder of the office shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of MSLETB, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an employee of MSLETB or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of MSLETB or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of his or her duties as an MSLETB Officer.

Probation

The successful candidate shall serve a probationary period in accordance with the terms set out in MSLETB’s Probationary Policy.

Salary

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to MSLETB any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

The salary scale and entry point on this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Education and Youth. Circular 0007/2026 applies. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

Annual Leave

The annual leave allowance for the position of Caretaker is 22 days (pro rata). This allowance is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave in MSLETB, is based on a five-day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays.

Sick Leave

Pay during properly certified sick absence, provided there is no evidence of permanent disability for service, will apply on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the provisions of the sick leave circulars.

Location/Base

The successful candidate will be initially assigned to Davitt College, Castlebar.

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board reserves the right to assign you to any other location or base that is under the control of Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board, as the need arises. Any change in location or base by Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board will not be deemed as redeployment as provided for under the Public Service Agreements.

Start Date

MSLETB shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than 6 weeks and, if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as MSLETB in its absolute discretion may determine, MSLETB shall not appoint them.

Business Travel

When absent from home and headquarters on duty, appropriate travelling expenses and subsistence allowances will be paid subject to the normal ETB/Public Service regulations.

Superannuation Contributions

Persons who become pensionable officers of MSLETB who are liable to pay Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to MSLETB at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

Persons who become pensionable officers of MSLETB who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to MSLETB at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children).

All persons who become pensionable officers of MSLETB are required, in respect of the Spouses and Children Contributory Pension Scheme 1986, to contribute to MSLETB at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration or net pensionable remuneration, whichever is relevant and in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

Persons who become pensionable officers of MSLETB for the first time on or after 1 January 2013 are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution and are required, in respect of superannuation, to contribute at the rate of 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children) plus 3% of pensionable pay.

Retirement

Effective from 1 January 2013, the Single Public Service Pension Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks. The minimum retirement age is 66, with compulsory retirement at age 70.

For appointees who are deemed not to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, the minimum retirement age is 60 and the maximum retirement age is 70.

For Class A “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, the minimum retirement age is 65 with no maximum retirement age.

Pension Accrual

A 40-year limit on total service that can be counted towards pension, where a person has been a member of more than one existing public service pension scheme, applies. This 40-year limit, which is provided for in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, came into effect on 28 July 2012. This may have implications for any appointee who has acquired pension rights in previous public service employment.

Pension Abatement

If the appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and is in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service, or where a Civil or Public Service pension comes into payment during his or her re-employment, that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

Department of Education and Skills Early Retirement Scheme for Teachers Circular 102/2007

The Department of Education and Skills introduced an Early Retirement Scheme for Teachers. It is a condition of the Early Retirement Scheme that, with the exception of the situations set out in paragraphs 10.2 and 10.3 of the relevant circular, and with those exceptions only, if a teacher accepts early retirement under Strands 1, 2 or 3 of this scheme and is subsequently employed in any capacity in any area of the public sector, payment of pension to that person under the scheme will immediately cease. Pension payments will, however, be resumed on the ending of such employment or on the person’s 60th birthday, whichever is later, but on resumption, the pension will be based on the person’s actual reckonable service as a teacher (i.e. the added years previously granted will not be taken into account in the calculation of the pension payment).

Ill-Health Retirement

Please note that where an individual has retired from a Civil or Public Service body on the grounds of ill health, his or her pension from that employment may be subject to review in accordance with the rules of ill health retirement within the pension scheme of that employment.

Eligibility to Compete

Citizenship Requirements

Eligible candidates must be:

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who has a Stamp 4 permission or a Stamp 5 permission.

To qualify, candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER)

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER), as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09, that retirees under that scheme are not eligible to apply for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (Circular Letter LG (P) 06/2013)

The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government Circular Letter LG (P) 06/2013 introduced a Voluntary Redundancy Scheme for Local Authorities. In accordance with the terms of the Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants dated 28 June 2012, it is a specific condition of that Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) scheme that persons will not be eligible for re-employment in any Public Service body (as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 to 2011 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012) for a period of 2 years from their date of departure under this scheme. These conditions also apply in the case of engagement or employment on a contract for service basis (either as a contractor or as an employee of a contractor).

Department of Health and Children Circular (7/2010)

The Department of Health Circular 7/2010 dated 1 November 2010 introduced a Targeted Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) Scheme and Voluntary Redundancy Scheme (VRS). It is a condition of the VER scheme that persons availing of the scheme will not be eligible for re-employment in the public health sector or in the wider Public Service or in a body wholly or mainly funded from public monies. The same prohibition on re-employment applies under the VRS, except that the prohibition is for a period of 7 years. People who availed of the VER are not eligible to compete in this competition. People who availed of the VRS scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility (expiry of period of non-eligibility).

Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform letter dated 28 June 2012 to Personnel Officers introduced, with effect from 1 June 2012, a Collective Agreement which has been reached between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Services Committee of the ICTU in relation to ex gratia redundancy payments to public servants. It is a condition of the Collective Agreement that persons availing of the agreement will not be eligible for re-employment in the public service by any public service body (as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 to 2011) for a period of 2 years from termination of employment. People who availed of this scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility (expiry of period of non-eligibility).