General Operative

This competition is open to all candidates who meet the minimum eligibility criteria. The position is a Non-Established State Industrial posts based on a 39-hour week (full-time) rostered over 5 days, (Monday to Friday) and the appointment will be subject to a probationary period of 7 months which may be extended to 10 months under certain circumstances. Continuation in employment in the position, following the end of the Probation Period, will be dependent upon the appointee fully meeting the requirements of the positions during the Probation Period. The actual hours of attendance are determined by local management requirements. This is an OPW recruitment competition to which applicants with the minimum eligibility requirements may apply. Persons who wish to be considered for appointment to the above position should submit a completed application form, and copies of specified required documentation. Selection for appointment to the position will be determined by the Interview Board through a competitive shortlisting/interview process. The Interview Board will make its decisions based on the information provided by each candidate and those who are successful at interview may be place on a panel, effective for a limited period. A panel may be formed to fill any future sanctioned fixed term or permanent positions that may arise. Placement on the panel does not guarantee nor imply that an offer of employment will be made to those placed on same. In the event that an offer of an 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. Additionally, any offer of a position will be subject to the candidate satisfactorily meeting the OPW’s requirements with regard to references, health and Garda vetting. In the event that the candidate does not satisfactorily meet the OPW’s requirements in these regards, the candidate will receive no further consideration under the competition and will not proceed to appointment.

Essential Eligibility Requirements

Candidates must, at the closing date, possess the following:

• A full, clean and current Irish driving licence, minimum category B & W;*1,2
• A current Safepass card;**
• A clear copy of their Employment Permit, if applicable (a non-EEA national, unless exempted, requires an employment permit to work in Ireland).* 3

Note: * (1) If our Irish driving licence is restricted to driving cars with an automatic transmission only (denoted by the code 78 appearing on the licence), you are not eligible. (2) From 1 January 2021 if you are resident in Ireland and hold a UK/NI driving licence it is no longer valid to drive on here in Ireland. It is not legal for driving purposes and must therefore be exchanged. It is vital that you have a valid driving licence and that you are legally allowed to drive in Ireland by exchanging a UK/NI licence for an Irish driving licence. Further information available on: www.ndls.ie

Note:** Where a current safe pass card is not available, proof of successful completion of the Safe Pass Course prior to the closing date will be accepted.

Note: ***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 50 TEU visa, which is a replacement for Stamp 4EUFAM 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 you to work full time for the Office of Public Works. It is the responsibility of individual employees to ensure that you have a valid work permit. If at any stage during your contract you cease to hold a valid work permit you must immediately advise the Office of Public Works and your employment will cease with immediate effect.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working on Conservation/Heritage Projects.

Failure to supply copies of requested documentary evidence with application and/or original documents when invited for interview may lead to disqualification from the competition. (Do not forward original documents with application form). Original documents will be required at interview. Candidates should note that the admission to a competition does not imply that the Office of Public Works is satisfied that they fulfil the essential entry requirements. Therefore, the onus is on candidates to ensure that they meet these requirements prior to submitting their applications.

Pay

The General Operative Band 3 (Rural) pay scale, per week, with effect from 1st June 2026 is as follows:

Non-Personal Pension Contribution (Non-PPC): This rate will apply where the appointee is not required to make a Personal Pension Contribution: €678.98, €713.93, €741.19, €752.39, €757.03, €767.93, €778.77, €786.15, €796.91.

Personal Pension Contribution (PPC): This rate will apply where the appointee is a new entrant or an existing civil servant appointed on or after 1 January 2013 and is required to make a Personal Pension Contribution: €708.25, €744.51, €767.03, €778.42, €786.39, €797.68, €809.06, €813.45, €824.66.

The successful candidate will be paid at the appropriate point of the pay scale.

Important Note: Increments may be awarded subject to changes in the terms and conditions relating to salary increments in the Civil/Public Service generally.

Payment will be made weekly 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 Office of Public Works. Statutory deductions from salary will be made as appropriate.

Additional Payments

Various subsistence/allowances are paid where appropriate. Where applicable, overtime of 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 successful candidate will be required at times to complete other General Operative Band 3 (Rural) duties set out by management. These duties can be viewed here. The job description is intended as a general guide to the range of duties and it is neither definitive nor restrictive.

Special conditions apply

• Working at heights;
• Regular lifting and manoeuvring of heavy and sharp loads;
• Operating machinery;
• Lone working and working with teams;
• Dealing with the public and contractors;
• The appointee must attend and reach a satisfactory standard in training, as and when directed;
• Report for work at various work sites in the Kilkenny National Monuments District, as and when directed;
• Working outdoors, open to weather elements, and indoors in confined and restricted space.

A General Operative Band 3 (Rural) is required to:

• demonstrate flexibility and mobility, consistent with the needs of the service;
• contribute to and maintain a good team spirit and an effective team-working environment;
• remain calm while working under pressure when effectively dealing with incidents;
• make sound judgements in emergency situations;
• work on own initiative in accordance with manager/supervisor instructions whilst being an effective part of a larger team;
• apply excellent and effective interpersonal and communication skills coupled with a professional, polite and courteous manner when dealing with colleagues, management and the public;
• apply the energy, enthusiasm and the willingness to contribute effectively to a positive visitor experience for the public and to keep abreast of OPW activities;
• apply a positive, flexible and proactive approach to work allied with an ability to deliver an effective work presence
• carry out all work in a safe manner both to colleagues and to the public through understanding, observance and application of Health and Safety regulations;
• successfully undertake training as and when required;
• carry out other duties/works deemed by management as appropriate to the grade and to the position;
• Co-operate with the introduction of new work practices and technology;
• Comply with all Health & Safety procedures as directed;
• Attend and achieve the required standard in induction training, training courses in manual handling, and any other courses in supervision and health & safety as required by the OPW.

Contacts with:

• staff of the Office of Public Works;
• members of the public;
• external contractors and suppliers;
• land/property owners.

Notes

• Attendance on site at weekends and on public holidays as required.

Reporting Arrangements:

The General Operative reports to: -

• District Works Manager;
• Foreperson;
• Chargehand;
• Any other person to whom authority has been assigned and/or delegated

Age

On the closing date for receipt of applications for this position, the following are the eligibility requirements with regard to age; - the minimum age requirement for potential applicants is 18; - the appointee will be a member of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, as defined in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012. Under the Scheme, retirement is compulsory on reaching 70 years of age.

Outside Employment

The position is whole time and the officer may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business, which would interfere or conflict with the performance of official duties. Clarification must be sought from line management where any doubt arises. If, following appointment, the appointee is or intends to be engaged in or connected with any outside business or employment, the appointee is obliged to inform OPW HR Management (Operational) Division of such an intention.

Ill-Health Retirement

For an individual who has retired from a Civil/Public service body on the grounds of ill-health his/her pension from that employment may be subject to review in accordance with the rules of ill-health retirement within the pension scheme of that employment.

Health

In order to be accepted as suitable for employment, the appointee must satisfy certain criteria including suitability in respect of health. The onus is on the appointee to declare their suitability, to the best of their knowledge and belief, regarding their health status, and, in this regard, the appointee may be asked to complete a health self-declaration statement. Please note that any misstatements, incomplete statements and/or false declarations are liable to disqualify the appointee from the competition and/or result in the summary termination of their appointment to/employment in the position.

Garda Vetting

Garda vetting may be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for appointment. The proposed appointee may be required to complete and return a Garda Vetting form that will be forwarded to An Garda Síochána for security checks to be undertaken. The vetting process also involves certification requirements from the police force of any country in which the proposed appointee resided. Persons selected for appointment under this competition may receive offers of appointment, the commencement and continuation of which would be subject to satisfactory Garda Vetting of the proposed appointee.

Declaration:

Applicants will be required to declare whether they have previously availed of a Public Service scheme of incentivised early retirement. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Public Service employment and/or where they have received a payment-in-lieu in respect of service in any Public Service employment.

Confidentiality

Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2014 applications will be treated in strict confidence. All aspects of the application and assessment process are treated as strictly confidential and are not disclosed to anyone, outside of those persons directly involved in an aspect of the assessment process.