Development Manager

The Position

Westmeath County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent & fixed-term contract vacancies for the position of Supervisor/Foreman in the Machinery Yard.

Duties & Responsibilities

You shall perform duties 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 the local authority for which the Chief Executive is responsible and carry out such instructions as may be given in relation to the performance of your duties. The duties shall be as such as will be assigned by the Fleet Yard Manager, Executive Engineer or other duly authorised person. The person appointed shall give to the Local Authority such appropriate services as may be required and shall include, inter alia:

(a) Assist the Fleet Yard Manager, as required, in the management of the proper maintenance, servicing and repair by direct labour or otherwise of all items of plant, machinery and equipment attached to the Machinery Yard and other Council Depots throughout the County;

(b) To supervise, control and manage a team of manual staff and skilled technicians/mechanics attached to the Machinery Yard, providing guidance, support, and organising training as needed;

(c) To allocate work assignments to technicians/mechanics and ensure that work is performed in accordance with established procedures and quality standards;

(d) To monitor and review the progress of work orders, ensuring that deadlines are met, and any issues or delays are promptly addressed;

(e) To conduct regular inspections of work in progress and completed repairs to ensure quality, accuracy, and adherence to specifications;

(f) To coordinate and schedule maintenance and repair projects, ensuring that resources, equipment, and materials are available and utilized efficiently;

(g) To inform, direct and procure the manufacture of such new plant, equipment and spare parts, and such adaptations of existing plant and equipment as may be required and the reconditioning of plant and spare parts;

(h) The general maintenance of all buildings, stores and grounds attached to the Machinery Yard;

(i) Checking and initial certification of employee time sheets and accounts for plant hire or work done and recommendation for final approval and certification by the Fleet Yard Manager;

(j) The requisitioning of materials and spares;

(k) The control of such stores attached to the Machinery Yard;

(l) Any duties in connection with hired plant (externally to the Machinery Yard) as may be assigned;

(m) The keeping of such records of plant performance and plant repair as may be required;

(n) Assist the Fleet Yard Manager, as required, in arranging vehicle maintenance, taxing, insuring and testing;

(o) Assist the Fleet Yard Manager, as required, in the management and monitoring of the Fuel Management system;

(p) Shall be available to accept emergency calls outside normal working hours in which the Machinery Yard may be involved and to take appropriate action in relation to the breakdown of the service;

(q) Ensuring that all requirements regarding health and safety standards are complied with to ensure that employees adhere to safe systems of work and that operatives are not allowed take unnecessary risks;

(r) Deliver Toolbox Talks to all employees within the Machinery Yard;

(s) Using as directed, and upon receipt of appropriate training, Information Technology equipment including handheld technologies for the management of Fleet, Safety Inspections and any other necessary relevant uses;

(t) Assist the Fleet Yard Manager, as required, in the investigation and reporting of road traffic accidents involving Westmeath County Council vehicles and plant whether owned or hired and the making of reports for insurance claims;

(u) To report immediately the circumstances of any inefficiency or unsatisfactory work, service or accidents in his/her charge and to carry out the direction consequent on such reports;

(v) Compliance with Westmeath County Council procurement policies and procedures;

(w) To keep the Fleet Yard Manager or his/her appointed representative advised on all matters that may be of importance in the interest of the County Council, and to liaise with other sections of the Council on works and emergencies;

(x) To make recommendations on matters likely to improve any aspect of the operation of the Machinery Yard;

(y) Carrying out such other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required, or assigned from time to time;

(z) Deputise for the Fleet Yard Manager when required.

The post holder may be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to an appropriate Officer or such duties as designated from time to time.

Qualifications for the Post

Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

Health

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

Citizenship

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, 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 is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa

Or

A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

Education, Training, Experience

Candidates must have on the latest date of receipt of completed application forms:

▪ Have a good standard of general education such as will enable the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the post;

▪ Hold a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft in an appropriate trade such as Motor Mechanic or Heavy Vehicle Mechanic or Construction Plant Mechanic and have served a minimum of 6 years post apprenticeship experience and furnish relevant certificates as to his/her training or qualifications;

▪ Hold a full driving licence of category “B” free from endorsement and if not a current “C” licence holder must obtain the C licence within 12 months of commencement, (training will be funded by Westmeath County Council);

▪ Have extensive experience in the maintenance of a broad range of engineering plant and equipment including HGV/LCV diesel engine vehicles, road construction/maintenance equipment & loaders, diesel and petrol engines;

▪ Experience and knowledge of vehicle electrics/electronics/diagnostics, instrumentation, pneumatics and hydraulics systems;

▪ Experience and knowledge of the repair, maintenance and preparation of Heavy Goods Vehicles and Light Commercial Vehicles for roadworthiness tests;

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 ideal candidate:

Desirable Criteria

▪ Have a current valid Drivers CPC Qualification Card

▪ Experience in the repair of specialist Local Authority vehicles

Key competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of the following specific areas:

▪ Technical competence in relation to Heavy Goods and Light Commercial vehicle maintenance

▪ Possess knowledge of computer software applications such as MS Office applications and fleet management software

▪ Supervision of staff and managing performance

▪ Problem solving and decision making

▪ Establishing and maintaining good/effective working relationships and team working

▪ Knowledge of Preventative Maintenance Inspections and CVRT/roadworthiness testing

▪ Organisation, planning, co-ordinating and prioritising work programmes e.g. vehicle maintenance, preventative maintenance and servicing schedules and CVRT/roadworthiness tests

▪ Ability to act on own initiative

▪ Possess negotiating, influencing and work as part of a team

▪ Ability to communicate effectively

▪ Proven ability to work independently, accurately and efficiently under challenging time constraints

▪ Management of resources in an effective and efficient manner

▪ Record keeping

▪ Detailed knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety issues

▪ Knowledge & understanding of the role and Local Government

▪ Be able to write concise reports and keep records dealing with vehicles

▪ Be experienced in the management and supervision of both manual and skilled staff in a similar setting

Particulars of Office (including retirement)

The Post

A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel may be used to fill permanent & fixed term positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. Vacancies may arise on a county-wide basis. Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign employees to any work location having regard to funding and/or operational circumstances.

Wages

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to the local authority 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 Supervisory Foreman pay scale is from €1,034.06 to €1,091.02 per week (after 10.5 years satisfactory service) as per Circular Letter EL 02/2026. Please note starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy.

Increments are payable, subject to satisfactory performance and in accordance with current Government Pay Policy and the provisions of the Public Service Agreements.

Superannuation and Retirement

Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details of the relevant scheme will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment.

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of 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).

A person paying Class A rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% 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).

A person who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of his/her superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration. A person paying Class D rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable Officer of a local authority depending on their existing scheme, may be a member of a dependent scheme i.e. either the Local Government (Widows & Orphans Contributory Pension) Scheme or Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme and if a member of either scheme will be required in respect of this to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

Employees are admitted to the Superannuation Scheme in accordance with the terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Act, 1998 and the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, with effect from date of appointment. This scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement and death gratuities.

In order for a new entrant to the scheme to qualify for a pension, the employee must have served a minimum of two years employment in a local authority.

For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, effective from 1st January 2013, superannuation contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sum will be based on career-average pay; pensions will be coordinated with the State Pension Contributory Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012. The compulsory retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.

Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004:

There is no mandatory retirement age for ‘New Entrants’ from 1st April, 2004 to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. 65 years is the minimum age at which a person may be paid. As a new entrant to the public service, under the terms of this legislation, new entrants will not be required to retire on grounds of age.

Anyone who is not a ‘New Entrant’ to the public service, defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is subject to compulsory retirement age of 70 years.