General Operative

The Office of Public Works (OPW) invites applications for the position of General Operative Band 3 (Rural) – Cleaner at Kilkenny Castle, Co. Kilkenny.

The Office of Public Works is a State body with responsibility for the protection of Ireland’s built heritage. This is achieved through the conservation, presentation and management of National Monuments, historical properties and Government buildings. Our diverse portfolio consists of 750 sites from all periods of our history, encompassing sites from prehistoric to the late medieval periods of our history.

The position, which may, subject to local requirements, be seasonal, fixed-term or permanent, is a Non-Established State Industrial post based on a 39-hour week (full-time) and will be subject to a seven-month probation period, which may be extended to 10 months under certain circumstances. Continuation in employment following the end of the probation period will be dependent upon the appointee fully meeting the requirements of the position during the probation period.

Persons who wish to be considered for appointment to the above position should submit a completed and signed application form.

A short-listing assessment, on the basis of the information supplied in the Application Form, will be used by OPW to select those applicants who are to be invited to attend for competitive interview.

The competitive interview process will be used by OPW to select the candidates determined by the Interview Board as being suitable for appointment to fill the position, and a reserve panel, effective for a limited period, may be formed. Appointment to the position will be subject to the provision of satisfactory references and meeting requirements for satisfactory health and vetting.

Placement on the panel does not guarantee nor imply that an offer of employment will be made to those placed on it. In the event that an offer of appointment is made, it will be made in the order of merit of those on the relevant panel, regardless of the length of contract period offered and the specific area(s) in which the position would be based.

Appointments to approved positions of employment are made as and when considered appropriate by OPW management and will be subject to the candidate meeting the OPW's requirements regarding health, references and Garda vetting. If the candidate does not satisfactorily meet the OPW's requirements regarding health, references and Garda vetting, the candidate will receive no further consideration under the competition and will not proceed to appointment.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Candidates must possess the following at the closing date:

• Proven experience in a similar role.
• Experience in the use of cleaning equipment.
• Fluent level of English, both written and oral.

Desirable Eligibility Requirements

• Manual Handling Certificate.

General Candidate Requirements

• Demonstrate appropriate self-presentation.
• Have experience in both cleaning and housekeeping.
• Demonstrate a high degree of flexibility in terms of working hours and be consistent with the needs of the service.
• Have access to own transport, as start and finish times may occur when public transport is not available (different sites may vary).
• Work on own initiative while being part of a larger team.
• Show a committed and flexible attitude to tasks and projects.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills coupled with a professional, polite and courteous manner when dealing with visitors, colleagues, management and guests.

Additional Payments

Various subsistence allowances are paid where appropriate.

Where applicable, overtime at time and a half or double time is payable for any hours worked in excess of 39 hours a week.

Annual Leave and Public Holidays

Annual leave is granted in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997. Currently, the maximum allowance is 25 days per annum. Annual leave allowance for staff working less than full-time is calculated on a pro-rata basis to that of a full-time equivalent. Good Friday is a fixed day of annual leave.

Public holidays will be granted in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

The Role

The duties of the General Operative Band 3 (Rural) – Cleaner are wide and varied. The primary function of the job holder will be to carry out cleaning duties for all areas within the Castle and Parade Tower Conference Centre. The successful candidate will adhere to the cleaning programme in place, which specifies cleaning requirements for specific areas and individual rooms, and will always maintain the required standard.

Principal Duties and Skills

Note: The following list is not exhaustive but sets out the broad range of duties that may be required. Variations in individual posts will reflect the management and operational requirements of individual sites and work areas.

• Understand and interpret requests from the Head Cleaner/Foreperson and any other person to whom responsibility has been delegated.
• Have knowledge of cleaning products, cleaning solutions and best practice.
• Assist in the set-up of rooms as prescribed and clear areas after events.
• Carry out all cleaning duties as required, including restrooms, stocktaking, vacuuming and other household/facility upkeep as per the cleaning programme.
• Follow instructions on the correct storage and cleaning procedures for glassware, silverware and china (if applicable).
• Have some knowledge of the care of specialised equipment, furniture, fabrics, silver, crystal and crockery (if applicable).
• Be responsible for all aspects of cleaning within the Castle and Parade Tower Conference Centre, including vacuuming, damp mopping, dusting and maintaining excellent cleaning standards.
• Undertake general cleaning of the buildings.
• Empty bins.
• Clean all machines, including glass, brass and stainless steel (if applicable).
• Clean all chrome fittings and light switches.
• Clean tea stations (if applicable).
• Thoroughly clean bathrooms, including toilets, wash hand basins and mirrors.
• Clean floors, internal windows, kitchens, bathrooms, dishwasher, microwave, extractor fan, sinks and related facilities.
• Demonstrate a professional manner when dealing with OPW staff, contractors and visitors.
• Ensure that all cleaning products, chemicals and equipment are used and stored appropriately.
• Assess and confirm that all equipment and furnishings are in good repair and clean; report faults to the Head Cleaner/Foreperson.
• Inform management when stock requires replenishment.
• Be aware of all health and safety regulations and report hazards or potential hazards immediately.
• Adhere to Infection Prevention and Control protocols.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Follow security protocols.
• Report to management any damage or situation which may lead to injury to members of the public, residents or staff.
• Carry out ad hoc duties as required.
• Perform other duties appropriate to the grade as delegated by Senior Management or any other authorised member of staff.

The General Operative Grade 3 (Rural) – Cleaner is required to:

• Demonstrate flexibility and mobility consistent with the needs of the service.
• Carry out all work safely for colleagues and visitors through understanding, observing and applying Health and Safety requirements.
• Maintain a high standard of personal hygiene and dress appropriately in line with the management dress code.
• Use the correct protocol when addressing visitors.
• Carry out other duties considered appropriate to the grade and position by management.
• Co-operate with the introduction of new work practices and technology.
• Contribute to a good team spirit.
• Successfully undertake training as required.

Special Working Conditions

• Weekend and public holiday attendance will be required, and the appointee must be prepared to be flexible in working hours.
• Attendance is required in the early mornings and for some planned evening events.
• The working week will be rostered over seven days. The actual days and hours of attendance will be arranged according to local management requirements.
• Work involves handling sharps, chemicals and cleaning agents.

Contacts With

• Staff of the Office of Public Works.
• Members of the public.
• External contractors, caterers and suppliers.

Reporting Relationship

The General Operative Band 3 (Rural) – Cleaner will report to the Chargehand/Foreperson and to any other person to whom authority has been assigned and/or delegated.

This job description is intended as a general guide to the range of duties and is neither definitive nor restrictive.

Citizenship Requirements

Eligible candidates must 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 (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who has a Stamp 4¹ or a Stamp 5 visa.

¹ Please note that a Stamp 50 TEU visa, which replaced Stamp 4 EUFAM after Brexit, is acceptable as a Stamp 4 equivalent.

To qualify, candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.

All non-EU/EEA citizens must hold a valid work permit prior to and for the duration of their contract. The work permit must allow full-time employment with the Office of Public Works. It is the responsibility of individual employees to ensure that they hold a valid work permit. If, at any stage during the contract, a valid work permit is no longer held, the employee must immediately advise the Office of Public Works and employment will cease with immediate effect.

Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform letter dated 28 June 2012 introduced, with effect from 1 June 2012, a Collective Agreement between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Services Committee of the ICTU regarding ex gratia redundancy payments to public servants.

It is a condition of this agreement that persons availing of it are not eligible for re-employment in the Public Service by any Public Service body (as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009–2011) for a period of two years from the termination of employment.

Applicants who availed of this scheme and are successful in this competition must prove that the period of ineligibility has expired.

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER)

Under Department of Finance Circular 12/09, retirees under the ISER scheme are not eligible to apply for another position in the same employment or sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

Department of Health and Children Circular (7/2010)

The Department of Health Circular 7/2010, dated 1 November 2010, introduced a Targeted Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) Scheme and Voluntary Redundancy Scheme (VRS).

It is a condition of the VER scheme that participants are not eligible for re-employment in the public health sector, the wider Public Service or any body wholly or mainly funded from public monies.

The VRS scheme also prohibits re-employment, except that the prohibition applies for seven years.

Applicants who availed of the VER scheme are not eligible to compete in this competition.

Applicants who availed of the VRS scheme and are successful in this competition must prove that the period of ineligibility has expired.

Department of Environment, Community & Local Government (Circular Letter LG (P) 06/2013)

The Department of Environment, Community & Local Government Circular Letter LG (P) 06/2013 introduced a Voluntary Redundancy Scheme for Local Authorities.

In accordance with the Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants dated 28 June 2012, persons who availed of this scheme are not eligible for re-employment in any Public Service body (as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009–2011 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012) for a period of two years from their departure under the scheme.

These conditions also apply to engagement or employment on a contract for service basis, either as a contractor or as an employee of a contractor.