General Operative

Purpose, Duties and Responsibilities

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, 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, capable of acting on their own initiative and someone with a strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services.

The duties of a General Operative include:

• To carry out duties of a general operative nature in the areas of roads, parks, playgrounds and open spaces, cleansing and litter cleaning; drainage, and the general maintenance of the public realm.

• To be responsible for the safe keeping of all stores and equipment that has been allocated to them for the purpose of carrying out their duties.

• To undertake works that may include: patch-macadam, tar and chippings; surface dressing, road strengthening, sweep chips, traffic control; open water cuts; mix mortar in concrete mixer; the use of wheelbarrow, yard brush, shovel, etc.; maintain drainage, road sewers, clean gullies; treat roads for oil spillage; cut grass and use lawnmowers and strimmers; assist in fencing; spread gravel; build walls, clean paint signs; to empty bins and litter picking and general cleansing.

• To be available for emergency call out outside normal working hours; to respond to emergencies as requested by your supervisor.

• To implement plant maintenance duties, as assigned, including to monitor plant performance and maintain plant records.

• To assume personal responsibility for your own safety at work.

• To undergo training for Health & Safety and to participate and co-operate with all training programmes and initiatives to improve technical skills and general performance as required.

• To be responsible for the maintenance of good work practices and working relationships.

• To maintain and communicate information for the effective delivery of service.

• To ensure compliance with organisational policies, procedures and legislation.

• To support and participate in the establishment and maintenance of improved standards and quality initiatives.

• To demonstrate flexibility and mobility consistent with the needs of the service.

• To co-operate with the familiarisation/instruction of other employees where appropriate.

• To manage and maintain resources effectively and efficiently.

• To contribute to the development of effective teams and work collaboratively with other employees.

• To deal effectively and courteously with contractors, customers and members of the public.

• To carry out any other relevant duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications for the Post

Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

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.

Education and Experience

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

• Have reached a standard of education sufficient to enable them to carry out the duties assigned.

• Have a good knowledge and previous experience in Safety, Health & Welfare at work and in dealing with the public.

• Have satisfactory experience relative to the duties outlined.

• Have completed manual handling training.

• Hold a current clean full unendorsed Category B Driving Licence. (C1 licence is desirable but not essential).

• Have an ability to work on own initiative without constant supervision.

*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 Experience and Knowledge

The following are desirable:

• A good knowledge and previous experience in general maintenance work particularly road maintenance and construction of road projects.

• Some form of technical qualification and a reasonable level of IT skills.

• Possess a current and valid Safe Pass registration card.

Miscellaneous Provisions

Salary

Salary scale: €700.77 - €782.62 per week (EL 04/26). Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance.

Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

Hours of Work

The normal working hours will be 39 hours per week. Duties may require the successful applicant to work outside of normal working hours i.e. attendance at evening/weekend, training duties etc. All hours worked will be subject to the provision of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 as amended. You may be required to complete a time-sheet in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001.

Start Date

Meath County Council shall require a person to whom an offer of employment is made to take up an appointment within a reasonable period of time, usually two months from date of offer, to meet the organisational requirements of the Council. Meath County Council reserves the right to withdraw its offer in the event that an appointment is not taken up within such a period.

Leave

25 days per annum