Craft Gardener

The Competition The purpose of this recruitment campaign is to form a panel for Kildare County Council from which permanent and contract posts may be filled for a Craft Gardner as vacancies arise.

The Role Kildare County is seeking to establish a panel of Craft Gardener to fill permanent and contract posts within the Parks Section of the Sustainable Transport, Mobility andOpen Spaces Department that arise during the life of the panel. The successful candidate will be appointed within Parks Section of the Sustainable Transport, Mobility and Open Spaces Department and will have to work at various locations across the county. The Parks & Open Spaces section is responsible in the design & management of parks, open spaces and playgrounds in Kildare and is also involved in landscaping, amenities and public realm. Duties and Responsibilities The Craft Gardener shall, under the direction of the Senior Parks & Landscape Officer or other delegated person discharge all duties related to their work including those set out hereunder: -

The following list, which is not exhaustive, sets out the broad range of duties that may be required to be undertaken by the Craft Gardener. Variances in the requirements of individual posts will reflect the management and operational requirements of individual sites and areas of work.

DUTIES: The duties of the office are to give the local authority and a) such other local authorities or bodies, for which the Chief Executive, is Chief Executive, and b) to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph, under the direction and supervision of the appropriate professional officer, such planning services of an advisory, administrative, supervisory or executive nature as may be required by any Local Authority or body hereinbeforementioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties including the duty of assisting the Director of Services or other authorised officer, as appropriate, in the supervision of the planning and cognate services of any of the foregoing local authorities or bodies and, when required to do so, to perform the duty of acting for the appropriate professional officer of higher rank during the absence of such officer of higher rank. c) The person selected for the post will be required to undertake under the direction of the Supervising Gardener or other authorised person; d) The propagation and cultivation of plants; e) The lay-out, care, upkeep and maintenance of pleasure recreation and other grounds in the parks, gardens and open space to which he/she may, from time to time, be assigned. f) He/she may also be required to supervise persons who may be detailed to assist him/her and to make and keep attendance and work records and returns as well as any other appropriate duties that may be assigned to him/her. g) He/she may also be required to deputise for the Supervising Gardener during his/her absence. The person selected must work, if required on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays at which payment at the appropriate rates will be made. h) Ensuring that all works being carried out comply with the relevant Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Acts and Regulations, including the completion of Risk Assessment and Accident / Incident forms. i) Supervision of contractors. j) To use, as required, Information Technology equipment including digital cameras, personal computers, and handheld technologies. k) To deal with members of the public in a courteous, prompt and efficient manner and to keep the Senior Parks & Landscape Officer/ their nominee informed of such dealings. l) To carry out any other instructions which may be given by the Senior Parks & Landscape Officer or their nominees from time to time.

Qualifications Character: Each candidate must be of good character. 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.

Education, Training and Experience etc.: Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: a) Have satisfactorily completed the National Diploma in Horticulture at the National Botanical Gardens, Horticulture College or a level seven (National Framework of Qualifications) degree in Horticulture from an Institute of Technology or an equivalent qualification. b) A knowledge of the cultivation of plants, both outdoor and under glass, as well as a good knowledge of decorative gardening; c) Have a thorough knowledge of landscape / amenity horticulture. d) Experience in the use and care of tools, machines and appliances used in the maintenance of parks and gardens; e) Be capable of keeping a written record; f) Be prepared to use information technology and be able to demonstrate this. g) Have a reasonable knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations. h) Hold a full Class B Driving Licence free from endorsements and be a competent driver. Knowledge, Experience and Skills Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government including service requirements. Knowledge of current local government issues. Understanding of the role of an Craft Gardner Understanding key challenges facing the local government sector and Kildare County Council. Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems

Particulars of Employment The Post The post is wholetime (i.e., 39 hours per week) and appointment may be permanent or temporary. Location Successful candidates will work at various locations across the county. Kildare County Council reserves the right to assign you to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

Commencement Kildare County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month and if they failto take up the appointment within such period, or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Kildare County Council shall not appoint them.

Working Hours Normal hours of work will be from 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., Monday to Thursday and 8.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. on a Friday. A Local Productivity Agreement applies from 3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. on a Friday. The Council reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time. You may be required to work overtime on various occasions for which payment will be made at the appropriate nationally agreed rates. You will be expected to co-operate with on call arrangements where required. All hours of work 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. Kildare County Council requires employees to record their hours using a Clocking system.

Reporting Arrangements The Craft Gardener reports directly to the appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Kildare County Council as the Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose. A system of regular appraisal will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Probationary Period of Employment Where a person is permanently appointed to Kildare County Council, the following provisions shall apply – a) there shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation; b) such period shall be twelve months, but the Chief Executive may, at their discretion, extend such period; c) such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory; d) the period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one weeks’ notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts; e) there will be assessments during the probationary period.

Remuneration The present weekly scale is:- €788.63 - €810.89 - €864.38 - €869.92 - €875.36 - €880.67 - €886.36- €891.85 - €897.34 - €902.84 - €908.30 On appointment successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the salary scale. Appointment to a higher point of the salary scale may apply to candidates employed elsewhere in the public service, subject to verification of service history. Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employees nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment. Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g., P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

Superannuation & Retirement A person who becomes a pensionable employee of the County Council will be required in respect of their Superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the appropriate rate. The terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 as amended or the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 or the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme & Other Provisions) Act 2012 will apply as appropriate on appointment. Retirement age for employees is dependent on their relevant contract of employment, with due consideration being given to the rules of the Superannuation Scheme to which they belong. • For appointees who are deemed not to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, retirement is compulsory on reaching 65 years of age. • The minimum retirement age for “new entrants” to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is 65. There is no mandatory retirement age. • Effective from 1st January 2013, The Single Public Service 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: - Retirement age is set, initially, at 66 years; this will rise in step with statutory changes in the State Pension Contributory (SPC) age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028. - Compulsory retirement age will be 70.

Annual Leave 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 1997 and the nationally agreed annual leave scheme for the sector. The annual leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. The current leave entitlement for this post is 25 days including Good Friday.

Residence The person holding the office must reside in, or at an address convenient to the Local Authority, as approved by the Chief Executive.

Outside Employment The position is whole-time, and the officer may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

Code Of Conduct/Organisation Policies Employees are required to adhere to all current and future Kildare County Council codes of practice including Code of Conduct of Employees and all current and future organisational policies including, but not limited to Health and Safety, Communications, Data Protection, Equality, Staff Mobility, Attendance Management and Use of Electronic Equipment.

Training Employees are required to attend and participate fully in training programmes as may be decided by the Council from time to time and to apply their learning in the course of their daily working activities.

Health and Safety Regulations Kildare County Council as an Employer is obliged to ensure, so far as it is reasonably practicable the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all its employees. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the County Council has a legal duty to exercise all due care and take all protective and preventative measures to protect the Safety, Health and Welfare of its employees. All employees also have a legal obligation under Safety and Health legislation to cooperate with management and not engage in any improper conduct or behaviour or do anything, which would place themselves or others at risk.