General Operative

The Competition

The purpose of this recruitment campaign is to form panel(s) for:

• General Operative North Leitrim Area

From which whole time permanent and temporary posts may be filled at General Operative (Labourer) grade.

The North Leitrim Area covers the Tullaghan, Kinlough, Manorhamilton, Rossinver, Kiltyclogher, Glenfarne, Killargue, Dromahaire and Drumkeerin areas.

General Operatives may be called on at any time in case of emergency or urgent need and must be in a position to provide an acceptable response time in relation to the discharge of their duties. Post holders will be required to reside within a reasonable distance of their work base and this requirement should be considered by applicants in selecting which panel(s) to apply for.

In any instance where there is a pre existing live panel, that particular live panel will be exhausted before the new relevant panel will be used.

The Role

General Operatives are frontline service employees who are involved in the delivery of a wide range of key local authority services in the heart of communities. Typical services include roads and transportation, maintenance of social housing units and estates, environmental and drainage works, upkeep of recreation and amenity facilities and similar services.

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 have relevant experience and be highly motivated, adaptable, flexible, capable of acting on their own initiative and someone with a strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services.

The Qualifications

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 for any of the above panels 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.

or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the European Union and Switzerland on the free movement of persons.

or

(d) A non EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or United Kingdom 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

(f) 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 United Kingdom or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa.

Education, Experience, Training and similar requirements

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

(i) Have reached a standard of education sufficient to enable them to carry out the duties of the position satisfactorily.

(ii) Have previous experience relevant to the duties outlined for General Operative.

(iii) Hold a valid Safe Pass Card.

(iv) Hold a current valid and unendorsed driving licence in respect of Category B vehicles or equivalent in the European Union Model Driving Licence.

A copy of Safe Pass Card and Driving Licence must be submitted with your application. Where a candidate does not hold a current valid Safe Pass Card this requirement must be met prior to taking up any offer of a General Operative position.

Each candidate will demonstrate through their application form and at interview, if called for interview, that he or she:

• Has good communication, interpersonal and customer awareness skills.

• Has capacity to contribute to and work well in a team.

• Is self motivated with a record of demonstrating initiative and ability to use judgement in a workplace environment.

• Has sufficient knowledge and understanding of Safety, Health and Welfare at work.

The Ideal Candidate will have:

• Knowledge and understanding of the functions of a local authority.

• Understanding of the role of General Operative.

• Previous experience relevant to the duties outlined for General Operative, including operating plant and machinery.

• Relevant training or qualifications such as Manual Handling, Construction Skills Certification Scheme, Safe Pass and similar.

• Good knowledge and previous experience in Safety, Health and Welfare at Work.

• Ability to use judgement in a workplace environment.

• Good organisation skills.

• Good interpersonal and communication skills.

• Experience in dealing with the public and good customer awareness skills.

• A willingness to learn and aptitude to use all new technology and information systems.

• Flexibility in terms of working hours as the duties can involve working outside of normal hours as required.

The Skills and Aptitudes for the Post

Candidates should have all the skills and aptitudes 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 in the following skills and aptitudes framework.

Please take particular note of these when completing the application form as any short listing or interview processes will be based around these skills and aptitudes and the associated information provided by candidates.

It is in candidates’ interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of their experiences relevant to this post in the application form.

Principal Terms and Conditions

Particulars of Employment

The position of General Operative (North Leitrim Area) is whole time and pensionable.

Two panels will be created as follows:

North Leitrim Area

Panel A – Permanent Positions

Panel B – Temporary Positions

Posts which may arise during the lifetime of these panels (2 years) may be whole time permanent or whole time temporary.

Candidates may be placed on more than one panel based on the options selected on the application form.

Any permanent positions which arise during the lifetime of the panel will be filled from the associated Panel A.

Leitrim County Council may, from time to time, require temporary General Operatives to fill vacancies in various departments. The duration and period of temporary contracts offered will vary from post to post.

Any temporary positions which arise during the lifetime of the panel will be filled from Panel B. If offered a temporary position a candidate must be available to take up the post as offered otherwise Leitrim County Council will move to the next available candidate and may not be in a position to consider that candidate’s application further for any temporary contracts.

Leitrim County Council reserves the right to, at any time, re assign an employee to any department now or in the future. Leitrim County Council also reserves the right to assign an employee to any base or premises in use by the Council now or in the future.

Remuneration

The gross weekly wage for the post of General Operative (effective 1 February 2026) is within the range:

€693.83 – €774.87 per week.

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with relevant Departmental Circulars. Offers of appointment to persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of this scale.

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

The remuneration shall be subject to such statutory deductions as may operate from time to time for example PAYE, PRSI, Additional Superannuation Contribution and Universal Social Charge.

Holders of the post 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 official duties or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

Duties

The General Operative grade is an entry level outdoor grade and is a critical post in terms of ensuring quality service delivery to the public. General Operatives may be required to work as part of a works or maintenance crew in any of the service areas of the Council.

The General Operative duties will include a variety of labouring and ancillary duties in the Roads, Housing and related areas at the instruction of supervisors and may involve, as example but not limited to, the following:

• Carrying out road maintenance work including road repairs and general road maintenance.

• Assisting road construction works including pipe laying, minor block and mortar work, road strengthening, road construction and surface dressing.

• General maintenance duties in relation to roads and footpaths including opening water inlets, drainage work and tar patching.

• Assisting in setting out of road works.

• Street cleaning.

• Carrying out maintenance, improvement and construction works in playgrounds, parks and amenity areas.

• Carrying out road reinstatement and footpath repairs and general concrete works.

• General maintenance of the Council housing stock including routine maintenance, clean out and repair of vacant units and general estate maintenance.

• Setting up and maintaining traffic management including traffic control.

• Grass cutting, strimming and general landscaping works.

• Chemical spraying and weed control.

• Loading and unloading of building materials and road making materials including gravel and chippings, pipes, fencing posts and all materials used by the Council.

• Driving Council or hired vehicles as required.

• Operating tools, small plant and equipment or machinery as required.

• Assisting in contractor supervision.

• Responding to emergencies as required by Supervisor.

• Attending to emergency work outside of normal working hours as required.

• Ensuring that the Council’s safety management systems are complied with.

• Compliance with all organisational policies, procedures and legislation.

• Participating and co operating with all training initiatives as required.

• Participating and contributing to duties as required as part of the organisational response to Climate Action to promote and ensure capacity building, empowering change and delivering action.

• Record keeping as required by Supervisor.

• Such other duties as may be assigned from time to time as directed by the engineer or authorised supervisor.

Please note that these duties are typical of a General Operative and are indicative rather than exhaustive. The duties will vary according to the functional area to which the person is assigned such as Roads or Housing.

The work will be carried out in accordance with established work practices or as negotiated from time to time. Persons appointed will be required to report to work at the location notified to him or her by the supervisor.

Employees must attend all training courses deemed necessary by their employer for their area of work.

The person employed will be required to perform assigned duties exercising a duty of care, in the interest of safety of oneself, fellow employees and the general public at all times in compliance with Leitrim County Council’s Safety Management System. Working in a safe manner in full compliance with the relevant safety legislation and construction regulations will be the primary responsibility of all General Operatives.

Residence

The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which his or her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof to enable the duties to be discharged in a satisfactory manner as approved by Leitrim County Council.

Successful candidates may be required to demonstrate that they can provide an acceptable response time in relation to the discharge of their duties and in such circumstances a determination as to whether a successful candidate can meet such response times will be at the discretion of management.

The North Leitrim Area covers the following areas: Tullaghan, Kinlough, Manorhamilton, Rossinver, Kiltyclogher, Glenfarne, Killargue, Dromahaire and Drumkeerin.

The General Operative bases within the North Leitrim Area are:

• Drumkeerin

• Manorhamilton

The holder of the post will be required to serve wherever assigned by the Local Authority and to reside within a reasonable distance of the relevant base.

Hours of Work

Core hours of work shall be a 39 hour week. Normal working hours are 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Friday (half hour lunch break each day) or such hours as may from time to time be prescribed.

The holder of the post may be called on at any time in case of emergency or urgent need and may be required to work outside of normal working hours such as evenings or weekends as required, subject to overtime in accordance with agreed rates and procedures.

The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

Probation

Where a person is permanently appointed to Leitrim County Council the following provisions shall apply:

(a) There shall be a period after appointment takes effect during which such a person shall hold the position on probation.

(b) Such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may, at his or her discretion, extend such period.

(c) Such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory.

(d) There will be ongoing assessments during the probationary period.

Employment may be terminated by either party during probation or at the end of the probationary period on one week’s notice.

Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for the successful candidate, before being appointed to a permanent position, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the local authority.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement for the post of General Operative will be 25 days per annum (on a pro rata basis depending on the duration of any temporary contract) and will be taken in accordance with the Council’s Annual Leave Policy for Outdoor Employees.

Superannuation

All new entrants to pensionable public service employment on or after 1 January 2013 will be members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.

All members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will be required to contribute 3.5 percent of net pensionable remuneration (that is 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) plus 3 percent of pensionable remuneration.

This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme. Pension and retirement lump sums for members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will be based on career average pay and pensions will be co ordinated with the State Pension Contribution Scheme.

Persons who are pensionable under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 and are 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 percent of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5 percent of net pensionable remuneration (that is 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).

You will also 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 percent of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.