General Operative

Section 1: Overview of the Department

The Marine Engineering Division (MED) of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is organised on a regional basis with staff based in the Department’s Engineering Offices at Clonakilty, Dublin, Tralee, Galway and Ballyshannon; and in the Fishery Harbour Centres at Killybegs, Ros An Mhíl, An Daingean, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth.

Vacancies

The Department currently has one vacancy for the role of General Operative Grade 3 (State Industrial Grade) located in Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre (FHC).

The General Operative may also, from time to time, be expected to work at other sites for which the Department has responsibility.

Order of Merit

Following an assessment process, candidates who achieve the qualifying standard will be placed on an Order of Merit from which appointments will be made. The post will be offered to the candidate ranked first and, if refused, to the remaining candidates in sequence until the post is filled. The Order of Merit will remain in place for a period of up to two years from the date of the first appointment, or until exhausted, and will be used to fill further vacancies, if any, that may arise in DAFM locations during that period.

Temporary Vacancies

In the event that temporary vacancies for this post arise during the lifetime of the Order of Merit, the Department reserves the right to offer such temporary posts on the basis of the results of this competition. Candidates who accept such a temporary post retain their placing on the Order of Merit and the acceptance of such a temporary appointment in no way interferes with the normal process of appointing candidates to permanent posts that may arise.

Section 2: Job SpecificationPrincipal Duties & Responsibilities

General Operatives will be required to carry out maintenance and construction and/or related works at the ports including piers, slipways, ladders, bollards and other port infrastructure. The General Operative will also assist in ensuring that harbour property, piers and structures are maintained as safe and clean areas. The duties will also involve assisting with vessels berthing and landing fish, the movement of vessels to/from the Department’s boatyard (where boatyard facilities are provided) and the provision of quayside service to vessels when required.

General Operatives may also be required to carry out maintenance and repairs to other piers, slipways in other locations outside of the Fishery Harbour Centres from time to time, as directed by the Department’s Marine Engineering Division.

The following is a list of the duties, which the holder of the post will be expected to undertake:

a) Carrying out maintenance and repairs and construction related work within the Fishery Harbour Centre.

b) Carrying out maintenance and repairs to piers, slipways in other locations outside of the Fishery Harbour Centres from time to time, as directed by the Department’s Marine Engineering Division.

c) Ensuring the safe keeping of all plant, tools, equipment and materials in your charge, or in use by others on site within your supervision.

d) Co-operating with the Department with regard to Safety, Health and Welfare at Work and comply with relevant Health and Safety legislation. Undertake, where required, the duties of deputy Designated Person in Charge of Safety for site works.

e) Driving vehicles and machinery as required for the performance of harbour duties.

f) Ensuring that harbour property, piers and structures are maintained as safe and clean working areas.

g) Assisting in the berthing of vessels for the landing of fish as well as other types of vessels, when required and the collection of harbour dues.

h) Assisting in the provision of quayside service to vessels as required.

i) Assist with the movement of vessels to and from the Department’s boatyard (where boatyard facilities are provided).

j) Participate in training courses as required.

k) Such other duties, of an appropriate nature, which may be allocated by the Engineer and Harbour Master.

The foregoing is not an exhaustive list of duties which may be entrusted to the General Operative from time to time. The person appointed is required to be flexible in the position, willing to undertake other work outside the foregoing and will be required to work outside normal working hours in accordance with the operational demand of the Fishery Harbour Centres.

Reporting Relationship

The General Operative will report to the Harbour Master (line manager) and will be responsible for works directed by the Foreman at the FHC.

Section 3: Person SpecificationEssential Requirements

The appointed person must be capable of interacting effectively with customers of the Department and the general public, be trustworthy, reliable and courteous and be able to maintain equanimity under demanding circumstances.

They must also have on or before the closing date of 12th August 2026:

• A minimum of 3 years of general construction experience, for example concrete/steel works, footpath laying and first/second fix general maintenance works.
• A minimum of 1 year working in a marine environment.
• A current full driving licence, minimum category B (at date of offer).
• A current SOLAS Safe Pass registration card or equivalent OR where a current Safe Pass card is not available, proof of successful completion of the Safe Pass Course or equivalent to be provided within a reasonable timeframe prior to date of appointment of successful candidate (timeframe to be agreed with the Department).
• Knowledge of Health and Safety principles and practice in the marine environment.
• Fully capable on entry to discharge the duties of the position.

Currently Valid Training Certificates in at least one of the following:

• Mobile Elevating Work Platforms
• Manual Handling
• Abrasive Wheels Training
• Chainsaw Safe Handling and Maintenance
• Confined Space Training
• Managing Safety in Construction
• Slinger/Signaller
• Teleporter
• 180°/360° Excavator
• Forklift

Relevant documentary evidence must be submitted with the application form. Candidates will be asked to provide originals of all documentary evidence should they be called to interview.

Desirable Requirements

It is desirable but not essential that the candidate is Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) trained by a SOLAS Approved Training Organisation in construction related plant or construction related activities with appropriate valid CSCS cards.

For example:

• CSCS SLG
• CSCS Excavator
• CSCS Location of Underground Services
• CSCS Teleporter
• CSCS Dumper
• CSCS Slinger/Signaller

Competencies

Applicants should have all the attributes required of a General Operative and in particular they must demonstrate, by reference to specific examples from their career to date, that they possess or have the capacity to acquire the qualities, skills and knowledge required for the role of General Operative as identified above and in the following competency framework.

1. Experience and Knowledge of Marine Environment

a) Boats and boat handling.

b) Marine environment.

c) Harbour facilities.

2. Team Working, Interpersonal and Communication Skills

a) Experience in teamwork and/or leading a team.

b) Communication skills (both verbal and written).

c) Actively listens to the views of others.

d) Liaises with other groups to gain co-operation.

e) Negotiates, where necessary, in order to reach a satisfactory outcome.

3. Construction and Maintenance Skills

a) Experience of carrying out maintenance and repairs and construction related work.

4. Health and Safety

a) Working knowledge of Health and Safety principles and practice in the marine environment.

Note: All qualifications deemed essential for this role must be verified through the submission of relevant awards.

In the case of non-essential qualifications, a number of candidates who are called forward to the final stage of the assessment process will be selected randomly and required to submit evidence of one or more such qualifications.

Outside Employment

The position is whole time and the appointee may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business, which would interfere or conflict with the performance of their official duties. Clarification must be sought where any doubt arises in that regard.

Pay

The salary scale for this position, General Operative Grade 3, with effect from 1st June 2026, is as follows:

Personal Pension Contribution (PPC) Pay Rate (Weekly):

€708.24, €744.51, €767.02, €778.43, €786.38, €797.69, €809.06, €813.45, €824.66 (NMAX)

Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum of the scale and will not be subject to negotiation and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Increments may be awarded annually subject to satisfactory performance.

Overtime

Overtime may be available for this role and the successful candidates may be required to work such additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of their duties subject to the limits set down in the Working Time Regulations.

Important Note:

Different terms and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is already a serving Civil Servant or Public Servant.

Payment will be made fortnightly in arrears by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) into a bank account of an officer’s choice. Payment cannot be made until a bank account number and bank sort code has been supplied to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Statutory deductions from salary will be made as appropriate.

An officer appointed to the post of General Operative Grade 3 will agree that any overpayment of salary or of travel and subsistence may be deducted from future salary payments due in accordance with the Payment of Wages Act 1991 (as amended).

In accordance with that Act, the Authority will advise the officer in writing of the amount and details of such overpayment and give at least one week’s notice of the deduction to take place and will deduct the overpayment, at an amount that is fair and reasonable having regard to all the circumstances, within six months of such notice in accordance with the Act.