Fitter Mechanic

The Position

Limerick City and County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons, who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which temporary and permanent vacancies for Fitter/Mechanic may be filled throughout the lifetime of the panel. The Fitter/Mechanic shall be responsible for the effective and efficient maintenance, operation and repair of the Council’s vehicles, plant, machinery and other mobile or portable equipment, for which they are assigned maintenance, operation and repair responsibility and ensure the completion of such work in a safe manner. To carry out ancillary duties relating to the safety or hire of the aforementioned vehicles, plant, etc. To regularly inspect the Council’s machinery fleet and ensure a satisfactory standard of maintenance. The suitable candidate may be required to carry out these duties throughout Limerick and in particular to the Park Road Depot. All Specialised and Power Tools will be supplied for the role.

Duties:

The duties of the post may include but are not limited to the following:

• responsible for the maintenance, operation and repair of the Council’s vehicles, plant/machinery and other mobile or portable equipment;

• carry out ancillary duties relating to the safety or hire of the vehicles, plant, machinery etc;

• regularly inspect the Council’s machinery fleet and ensure a satisfactory standard of maintenance;

• arrange the supply of materials necessary for maintenance/repair work and keep appropriate records of same;

• be available at all times to carry out inspections, prepare a specification of repairs and arrange the execution of work;

• complete and maintain any risk assessment reports as required;

• prepare data necessary to enable the Executive Engineer or their nominee to cost and analyse expenditure and prepare estimates in relation to all machinery operations;

• create and maintain any records as required and in particular, maintain all records in relation to the Fleet Management System;

• responsible for the custody/security of all plant, materials, tools and equipment in their area, and keep records necessary in relation thereto;

• ensure that the machinery premises is properly maintained;

• manage and supervise service contracts and ensure compliance with the required technical and safety standards;

• carry out such work of a manual inspection or clerical nature as may be assigned from time to time;

• write clear, concise reports as may be required;

• provide technical information and assistance as requested;

• liaise and co-operate with any outside agency/contractors engaged by Limerick City and County Council;

• read and record technical data in written and diagrammatic format;

• keep the Executive Engineer or their nominee informed on all matters relating to machinery services in the area;

• examine and report on the condition of fleet for employer/public insurance or other risk management purposes;

• follow appropriate procedures at all times in respect of plant being hired for various projects under the direction of the Executive Engineer or their nominee and to maintain all records in relation thereto;

• co-operate with and participate in any future restructuring of the Machinery Section within the local authority service, subject to local consultation;

• operate the machinery stores to a high standard to the requirement of the Executive Engineer or their nominee;

• carry out any other duties in relation to repair/maintenance of the Council’s plant and machinery and the operations of the machinery yard and any other depots;

• co-operate with and avail of any new technology and/or systems which may become available to assist them in the effective and efficient carrying out of their duties;

• agree to operate whatever communication system which may be provided e.g. mobile phones / loan worker system etc;

• If required be available to attend to emergency work outside of normal working hours

• participate in call-out roster if required;

• have a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety legislation;

• comply with work safety procedures in operation in Limerick City and County Council and fully participate in any further safety programmes that may be implemented;

• implement safety requirements as set out in Limerick City and County Council’s Safety Statement;

• required to wear any safety equipment/clothing supplied;

• drive such Council plant as may be required from time to time;

• be available for training programmes as required by the Council and update this training as necessary, which may necessitate travel to training centres outside Limerick County;

• logistics duties to include delivery/collection of equipment for stations/courses as may be required;

• carry out any other duties as may be required from time to time.

The Person

Candidates shall be of good character.

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

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

(a) hold the National Craft Certificate or equivalent, having completed a recognised apprenticeship and be a fully qualified Fitter/Mechanic

(b) have a minimum five-year post apprenticeship experience working in a recognised garage, which should include experience of service and repair of commercial vehicles, including Heavy Goods Vehicles; diagnostics and electrical systems; overhaul of petrol and diesel engines, pumps and compressors etc; welding and fabrication capabilities or experience of an equivalent nature to the satisfaction of the Council

(c) hold a current, clean, Category C driving licence

(d) be competent in the use of Information Technology

(e) have satisfactory knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety issues

• 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.

Candidates will demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that they have:

• excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

• capacity to contribute to and work well in a team;

• self-motivated with a record of demonstrating initiative in a workplace environment;

• the ability to use initiative and judgement;

• satisfactory knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety requirements;

• flexibility in terms of working hours as the duties can involve working outside of normal hours as required;

• knowledge and understanding of the Council and a commitment to public service.

Terms and Conditions

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 Director General. The panel may be used by Limerick City and County Council to fill permanent and temporary positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

The successful candidate will have 25 days annual leave (inclusive of Good Friday).

Salary scale: €1,628.32– €1,872.46 per fortnight. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance. Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point (currently €1,628.32 per fortnight).

Limerick City and County Council reserve the right to assign the successful candidate to any department or premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to travel to and from work at their own expense.

The working hours at present are a 39-hour week, hours may vary from time to time. The working hours may be reviewed at any time by the Council. The post may require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including at weekends, as necessary. The holder of the post must make themselves available for emergency callouts as required. Due to the nature of the role, there will be a requirement to attend emergency breakdown call outs as required. The provisions of Limerick City and County Council’s Time and Attendance Policy is applicable to this grade at the current time.

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

The Local Government Superannuation Scheme applies.

Holders of the post should hold a full driving licence for class B & C vehicles and shall be required drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and local authority Travel and Subsistence Policy. The person appointed will be required to travel to and from work at their own expense. When on an on-call rota, a vehicle will be provided for the duration of the on-call period.

Limerick City and County Council, as employer, must be indemnified on your insurance policy. If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Limerick City and County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. The successful candidate shall make themselves aware of the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety, clothing and equipment.

It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.

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

The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 came into effect on 29th April 2016. The Act places a statutory obligation on Limerick City and County Council to ensure that ‘any work or activity which is carried out by a person, a necessary and regular part of which consists mainly of a person having access to or contact with children or vulnerable persons will be subject of Garda Vetting’.