Catering Assistant

Purpose of the Post

To work as part of the production team service in providing a food service within statutory standards.

To provide quality service in providing a food service within statutory standards to the residents/service users.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Be punctual and work as part of the Catering Team.

• Adhere to HACCP regulations.

• Adhere to best practice under the Health and Safety Act.

• Adhere to HIQA Regulations in relation to Food and Nutrition to ensure residents are offered choice, adequate food and nutrition which is properly served and meets the residents’ dietary requirements. Provide additional refreshments and snacks as required or requested by residents.

• Ensure efficient and economical use of materials and equipment.

• Be customer and staff focused.

• Ensure that duties are carried out as specified on cleaning schedules, i.e. signing off on work completed.

• Comply with personal hygiene regulations, i.e. always wear uniform and safety shoes.

• Ensure proper labelling, chilling and storage of food and be aware of special dietary needs.

• Ensure appropriate food service, quality and presentation.

• Ensure appropriate ambience to enhance residents’ dining experience including atmosphere, table settings with all utensils and condiments for meal time service, background music and noise control.

• Assist with special functions as required, e.g. birthday parties.

• Rotate with roster duties when required.

• Attend training courses when required.

• Carry out any other duties relevant to the post that might evolve through service changes or pressurised service demands.

General

• Comply with all uniform and hygiene requirements.

Essential Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge

Candidates must meet the following criteria on the closing date:

• A good standard of general education.

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Applicants who do not meet in full the eligibility criteria set out above on the closing date will be deemed ineligible and their application will not be processed for this competition.

Essential Skills or Competencies

Relevant Skills and Experience

• Ensure the environment is conducive to a good dining experience for residents.

• Demonstrate sound knowledge of food hygiene.

• Good organisational skills.

Communication

• Possess a competent level of spoken and written English to compile HACCP documents.

• Have good communication and interpersonal skills.

Customer Service

• Have well-developed social skills sufficient to interact with residents, staff and visitors.

Teamwork

• Work as part of a team.

• Flexibility in a pressurised service may be required to supervise or assist residents with their meals.

• Ability to take direction to achieve positive service outcomes.

• Willingness to develop as part of a team which delivers quality service, including participation in relevant education programmes.

• Ability to present a neat and tidy appearance.

Other Requirements Specific to the Post

• A driving licence and access to appropriate transportation is desirable.

Tenure

The appointment is whole-time and pensionable.

A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign from which current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration may be filled.

Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004.

Remuneration

The Salary Scale for the post is (as at 01/02/2026):

36,047

37,909

39,028

39,794

40,458

41,316

41,840

42,733

43,650

Working Week

The standard working week applying to the post is: 39 hours.

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the post is: 23 days.