General Operative

JOB DESCRIPTION

Galway City Council is seeking to form panels from which permanent, temporary and temporary seasonal posts may be filled at General Operative grade. The General Operative grade is an entry-level outdoor grade in Galway City Council and is a critical post in terms of ensuring quality service delivery to the public.

Typical services include roads and transportation, maintenance of social housing units and estates, environmental, upkeep of recreation and amenity facilities etc. The role is likely to be outdoors, operational and manual and the duties will vary according to the functional area to which the person is assigned. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, adaptable, flexible, and capable of acting on their own initiative and someone with a strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services.

A General Operative’s duties may include but will not be limited to;

• Carrying out operational / manual work at the instruction of supervisors, which is likely to involve working outdoors and at times, in adverse weather conditions, outside normal 8am to 4.30pm working hours and at weekends and Public Holidays;

• General maintenance duties in relation to roads and footpaths including drainage work and tar patching etc.;

• Driving Council / hired vehicles as required;

• Street cleaning/Litter picking on the early morning shift (5am start);

• Pipe laying;

• Refuse collection;

• Hand digging of graves and being cognisant of grieving members of the public;

• Concrete work;

• Erecting fencing and netting;

• Grass cutting, Strimming & weed control;

• Planting and other gardening duties;

• Power washing & graffiti removal;

• Cutting and removal of vegetation;

• Positive front facing attitude to dealings with members of the public;

• Carrying out any other maintenance, installation, construction and repair work as may be required from time to time;

• Attend to emergency work outside of normal working hours;

• Any other duties which may be assigned to them by their Supervisor

The person employed will be required to perform assigned duties exercising duty of care, in the interest of safety to oneself, fellow employees and the general public, at all times in compliance with Galway City Council’s Health & Safety Management system.

1. Character

Candidates shall 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. Citizenship:

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

i. A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

ii. A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

iii. A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

iv. 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

v. 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

vi. 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

4. Education, Training, Experience, etc.

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

a) Have reached a standard of education sufficient to enable them to carry out the duties assigned to them satisfactorily;

b) Hold a valid Safe Pass (please submit a copy of your current card).

c) Hold a current valid Class B Driving Licence, free from endorsement, (please submit a copy of your current licence).

d) Have an ability to work within a team and take direction;

e) Have an ability to work on their own initiative;

f) Possess good communication skills and customer awareness skills;

g) Have a willingness to learn and aptitude to use all new technology and information systems;

h) Have a good knowledge and awareness of Health & Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee and their application in the workplace;

*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.

Desirable:

It is desirable that candidates should have the following:

• A good knowledge of the services provided by Galway City Council.

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

Key Competencies for the post are given in the table below. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form and at interview of competence under each of these headings.

Relevant Experience – Range and Depth (including knowledge & awareness of Health & Safety)

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Initiative, Flexibility and Team Skills

Type of Post

Future relevant permanent and temporary posts will be filled from the panel(s) formed. The post(s) will be whole-time, permanent/temporary and pensionable.

Remuneration

The annual salary (Circular Letter EL 03/2025) is as follows:

01/03/2025

Point 1 €751.26

after 0.5 years €754.78

after 1.5 years €758.21

after 2.5 years €758.21

after 3.5 years €758.51

after 4.5 years €760.39

after 5.5 years €762.28

after 6.5 years €764.26

after 7.5 years €766.22

after 8.5 years €768.20

after 9.5 years €770.34

after 10.5 years €772.42

after 11.5 years €774.41

IMPORTANT NOTE: Candidates should note that the starting salary is not subject to negotiation. Entry into the pay scale above the minimum point will only apply to existing public servants in the context of the relevant Government Pay Circulars. Candidates who are not covered by such Circulars will enter the pay scale at the minimum point i.e €751.26 gross per week.

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to and received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

Probation:

(a) there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation,

(b) such period shall be 12 months but, the Chief Executive may at their discretion extend such period,

(c) such persons shall cease to hold the position at end of the period of probation unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

Hours of Duty

The person appointed will be required to work a 39 hour week. The successful candidate will be required to log their hours of work in accordance with the requirements of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and will be required to co-operate with the use of technologies to record such hours.

Annual Leave:

The annual leave entitlement will be 25 days per annum.

Residence:

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

Outside Employment:

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

Driving Licence:

A full clean driving licence is required. The successful candidate will be required to provide their own transport. Expenses incurred in work related travel will be recompensed in line with departmental circulars.

Garda Vetting:

The successful applicant may be required to undergo Garda Vetting prior to appointment.

Superannuation Contribution:

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority, who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of the State Pension Contributory).

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

Widows & Orphans/ Spouses & Children’s Scheme

All persons who become pensionable officers of a local Authority are required, in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme, 1986, 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 State Pension contributory) in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

New Entrants From 1st January 2013 – Single Public Services Pension Scheme

FOR NEW ENTRANTS recruited on or after 1st January, 2013 as well as former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks. The Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 applies to your employment. Members of this Scheme are required in respect of superannuation to contribute at the rate of 3% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of State Pension contributory) and you are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution.

Retirement Age:

Retirement age will be determined on previous Public Sector Service (if any) and will be advised on appointment.

Former Public Service Employees

Eligibility to compete may be affected where applicants were formerly employed by the Irish Public Service and previously availed of an Irish Public Service Scheme including:

• Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER)

• Department of Health and Children Circular (7/2010)

• Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants

Applicants should ensure that they are not precluded from re-engagement in the Irish Public Service under the terms of such Schemes. This is a non-exhaustive list and any queries should be directed to the applicant’s former Irish Public Service Employer in the first instance.