Foreman Craft – Housing Maintenance

Limerick City and County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the position of Foreman Craft – Housing Maintenance. Limerick City and County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel from which permanent and temporary vacancies may be filled. Successful candidates may be assigned to any area of the Council now or in the future.

The Position:

The Craft Foreman is a key role within the Limerick City & County Council Housing Department. Limerick City & County Council owns and maintains approximately 6,000 social houses at present. The Craft Foreman’s role is critical to the efficient supervision and management of the maintenance of the Council’s housing stock.

Applicants will be required to perform such duties and carry out such instructions as may be given from time to time by the Senior Engineer or other nominated persons. Applicants must be capable of carrying out such duties as may be assigned or altered from time to time.

The post holder shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of their duties as an employee of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of their duties as a local authority employee.

The following is a brief overview of the work involved in the Housing Department. The Craft Foreman will be required to work as a manager of an overall housing maintenance team. This will involve co-ordinating works for Craftworkers of various disciplines and General Operatives, leading a team of up to 12 staff members.

The Craft Foreman will report to the relevant Engineer or their nominee in the Housing Department, or such person as may be assigned from time to time by Limerick City & County Council.

The role of Craft Foreman will involve significant interaction with the Council’s tenants and therefore, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required for this role.

The following are the duties for the post of Craft Foreman in Housing Maintenance. Additional duties may be required from time to time as part of the role.

Duties of the post shall include, but are not limited to:

• Implementation and compliance with all Limerick City & County Council Health & Safety policies and procedures.

• Lead by example for all staff in relation to health and safety at work.

• Adhere to legislative requirements under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Acts and construction regulations of Ireland.

• Management of works across the Council’s social housing stock.

• Management of the Council’s staff as well as external contractors.

• Pre-assessment of works, programming of works, execution of works and post-works assessment and sign-off. It is envisaged that the Craft Foreman will carry out relevant works (tools) in circumstances where there is a need.

• Carrying out site inspections with regard to compliance of works with building regulations and health and safety requirements.

• Staff management, including all aspects of staff line management. This may include, but is not limited to, completing and signing off timesheets for all team members, management of leave, dealing with disciplinary issues, programming of works and complying with the PMDS process.

• Liaising with members of the public, Council tenants and Elected Representatives.

• Liaising and reporting to the main Council housing maintenance team.

• Availability for out-of-hours service provision. This requires that the Craft Foreman be available to be included in the Council’s out-of-hours service roster. The successful applicant must be on call for a period of time, typically one week at a time, and be available to attend emergency call-outs if required. Remuneration for this aspect of the work will be provided in line with public sector agreements and pay rates.

• Completion of surveys of properties as required.

• Carrying out minor repair works and inspections to Limerick City & County Council properties. Mainly, this will relate to domestic houses but may also relate to Council-owned buildings from time to time.

• Completion of works in compliance with all relevant and current regulations and ensuring that all relevant certificates pertaining to the works are completed and issued to the Council.

• Carrying out works as requested by the designated line manager.

• Liaising with the designated line manager with regard to programming and scheduling of works.

• Keeping records as required. All works completed must be documented, and records issued to both the Limerick City & County Council maintenance office and designated line manager.

• Reporting on progress, problems and any issues to the relevant Engineer or their nominee, Supervisors, Engineers or as delegated.

• Attending training as considered necessary by Limerick City & County Council on an ongoing basis.

• Driving Limerick City and County Council vehicles as required and adhering to all policies and procedures relating to same. Possessing and maintaining a full, clean Category B driving licence as per the Fleet Management Policy.

• Managing Limerick City & County Council resources effectively and efficiently and ensuring that staff assigned to the successful applicant’s area of responsibility do so also.

• Complying with the requirements as set out under the General Data Protection Regulations.

• Complying with all Limerick City & County Council organisational policies, procedures and legislation.

• Supporting and participating in the establishment and maintenance of improved standards and quality initiatives.

• Demonstrating flexibility and mobility consistent with the needs of the service, including the use of new technologies.

• Operating systems such as Dynamics CRM, ProWorks, Addjust or any new IT systems to carry out the duties, including information technology, necessary to achieve maximum efficiency in the position.

• Carrying out such other duties as may be required by the Supervisors and Engineers or as delegated.

• Liaising with the Management Company for private developments that contain Limerick City and County Council housing units.

The Person:

At interview, the successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate:

• Good technical ability.

• Good communication and people skills.

• Capacity to engage with others to deliver successful outcomes.

• Knowledge and understanding of the importance of health and safety legislation and requirements.

• Knowledge and understanding of housing maintenance requirements and procedures in relation to social housing stock.

• Ability to use technology and IT systems.

Candidates will be expected to be flexible in terms of working hours, as the duties may involve working outside of normal hours and at weekends.

Note: The above duties outline the main functions and responsibilities of the post of Craft Foreman and may be subject to change in the future.

1. Character

Each candidate must 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, Experience, etc.

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

(a) Hold an Advanced Craft Certificate (previously known as National Craft Certificate), Level 6 on the NFQ, in a recognised trade (e.g. Carpenter/Joiner, Plumber, etc.) or an equivalent qualification. Please submit a copy of your certificate with your application.

(b) Have satisfactory knowledge and experience in such areas as housing construction/maintenance works and be capable of managing and administering the relevant budgets.

(c) Have a minimum of seven years' satisfactory experience after completion of apprenticeship as a Craftsperson.

(d) Have at least three years' satisfactory experience in a supervisory role.

(e) Hold a current Safe Pass Registration Card.

(f) Hold a full driving licence, Category B, free from endorsement, and provide their own motor vehicle for use in carrying out their duties. Their motor insurance policy must indemnify the Council.

Desirable:

It is desirable that candidates should have the following and demonstrate the same in the application form:

• Good technical knowledge and the ability to work on their own initiative.

• Computer literacy, with a working knowledge of email, Word, Excel, etc., and the ability to write clear and concise reports and keep working records. The successful candidate may be required to operate existing technology and use new technology.

• Experience in dealing with the public.

• Knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety legislation and procedures as they apply to the role of Craft Foreman.

• Ability to carry out Health & Safety inspections and ensure that all works are carried out in accordance with Health & Safety requirements.

• Competence in complying with the Council's Health & Safety requirements and wearing/using any safety equipment or clothing supplied.

• Appropriate training and qualifications necessary for the satisfactory performance of the role.

• Competence in preparing, signing and following Safe System of Work Plans (SSWPs), risk assessments and method statements as required.

• Flexibility in terms of working hours, as the successful applicant will be required to participate in an on-call system for out-of-hours emergencies.

Each candidate must include details of all qualifications obtained on the application form. The invitation to attend an interview is not to be regarded as an admission that you possess the prescribed qualifications and/or requirements for this post or are qualified by law to hold the post. Documentary proof will be required before appointment where you claim credit for particular qualifications, experience, etc.

Terms and Conditions

1. The Post:

Subject to the availability of suitably qualified candidates, a panel will be formed for an initial period of one year, which 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 during its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

2. Annual Leave:

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

3. Rate of Pay:

€1,044.40–€1,101.93 per week. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance.

4. Location:

Limerick City and County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any department or premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in the 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.