Caretaker/Porter

Essential Criteria

1. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health

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

Have a good standard of education to enable him/her to carry out the duties of the post.

Hold a full, clean, valid driving licence and be licensed to drive category B vehicles.

Possess a current Safe Pass Card and submit this along with your application form.

Have a reasonable knowledge of the requirements of Health and Safety Legislation.

Demonstrate experience in using IT systems and packages.

Candidates must also:

Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned;

Be suitable on grounds of character;

Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned;

Candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the post unless they

Agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed;

Are fully competent, available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Caretaker shall perform all duties as may be assigned from time to time and will be responsible for day to day monitoring of security systems, cleaning, heating and health and safety matters. In particular the following list of duties is assigned:

a) Assisting the public with service queries and directional enquiries.

b) Opening & closing of buildings & gates under the remit of Louth County Council.

c) To keep safe custody of the keys assigned and to ensure that no unauthorised person has any access to any part of the buildings.

d) Monitoring and recording overall maintenance of the buildings, such as heating, security and lighting systems. Reporting and being responsible for maintenance issues as the first point of contact.

e) Monitoring of security codes and review and download CCTV footage as required and in line with the General Data Protection Regulations.

f) Liaising with his/her supervisor in relation to security of technical equipment.

g) Assisting the dispatching and delivery of stock and materials between buildings, including post.

h) To carry out movement of equipment and furniture within the offices, as required.

i) General management of all waste disposal.

j) Routine maintenance of grounds including, but not limited to maintenance, winter gritting of pedestrian areas, pond maintenance and green areas/flower beds etc.

k) Maintenance checks of all equipment involved with maintenance of green spaces etc. and ensuring regular servicing is undertaken.

l) To assist in maintenance works as required.

m) Assisting staff with order and control (during working hours) in and around buildings including monitoring any anti-social behaviour and reporting as required. The caretaker shall also be the first point of contact with An Garda Siochána.

n) Wear uniform & PPE provided while on duty in accordance with the requirements of the Council.

o) Comply with all Health & Safety requirements within the organisation.

p) Record keeping as required i.e. diary, maintenance works, visitor book etc.

q) Be available for out of hours duties on an emergency or planned basis.

r) Completion and submission of timesheets on a weekly/fortnightly basis.

s) Assisting in staff canteens as required.

These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive. Persons employed will be required to work in any location in the Louth County Council Administrative area.

Duties will be performed in accordance with quality initiatives and standards.

You shall perform such duties appropriate to your grade as may from time to time be assigned to you in relation to your employment and as may be appropriate to any particular function of any local authority for which the manager is responsible and carry out such instructions as may be given in relation to the performance of your duties.

Hours of Work

You shall work a 39 hour week and all hours worked will be subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001.

It must be noted that the appointed candidate may be required to work Saturdays or late evenings, depending on the building/location he/she may be initially appointed to.

Wages

Wages shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

Wages shall be at Local Government Ganger Pay Scale – currently €764.33 to €788.73 gross per week.

Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health, it may be necessary for the successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo at his/her expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

Location of Post

Louth County Council reserves the right to assign the post holder to any department, premises or district in use by the Council, now or in the future subject to reasonable notice. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

Residence

The holder of the office shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Sick Leave

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

Annual Leave

Annual leave entitlement for the position will be 25 days per annum (pro rata for the fixed term). Louth County Council’s leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1977 (as amended).

Probation

Where a person, who is not already a permanent officer of Louth County Council, is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

There will be a probationary period of 9 months from date of employment,

The Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend this period,

You shall cease to hold office at end of the period of probation unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that your service is satisfactory.

Superannuation

A. Non-Officers joining the Public Service after the 1st January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. A Class rate of PRSI contribution will apply. A rate of 3% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC). This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme.

OR

B. Non-Officers who became pensionable Non-Officers of the Public Service prior to 1st January 2013 and who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of the net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC). You will also be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% of your net pensionable remuneration i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC) to a Dependent’s Pension Scheme.

References

Applicants are required to advise the names of two responsible persons to whom they are well known but not related (at least one of the referees should be an existing or former employer).

In advance of any offer of employment, Louth County Council reserves the right to seek both written and verbal references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated. The Council reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.

Start Date

The successful candidate will commence on direction from Directors of Service and/or Chief Executive. Should they fail to take up the appointment on direction, the council at its discretion may not appoint them.