General Operative

The Office of Public Works (OPW) invites applications for permanent, fixed term and seasonal positions that may arise at the grade of General Operative Band 3 (Dublin) in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.

There are a number of other National Historic Property sites that are managed under the Phoenix Park structure and successful candidates may be required to carry out duties on these sites as local management requires. These sites are the Garden of Remembrance, Arbour Hill Cemetery, Grangegorman Military Cemetery and any other site under the remit of the Park Management.

The positions are Non-Established State Industrial posts based on a 39-hour week (full-time) rostered over 5 days (Monday to Friday) and appointments 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. On occasion, there will be a requirement of the General Operative Band 3 (Dublin) to undertake overtime.

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.

A short-listing assessment, on the basis of the information supplied on 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 those considered by the Interview Board as most suitable for appointment to fill the position(s) and reserve panel(s). Reserve panel(s), effective for a limited period, may be formed and may be used to fill certain sanctioned permanent, fixed term or seasonal General Operative Band 3 (Dublin) posts that may arise in the Phoenix Park.

Placement on the panel(s) 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 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 with regard to health, references and Garda vetting. In the event that the candidate does not satisfactorily meet the OPW’s requirements with regard to health, references and Garda vetting, the candidate will receive no further consideration under the competition and will not proceed to appointment.

OPW Areas of Responsibility

The OPW’s areas of responsibility include Heritage Services and Flood Risk Management.

The OPW’s Heritage Services has responsibility for the protection, care and maintenance of 780 heritage sites, nationwide, including national monuments, historical parks, gardens and buildings.

Essential Eligibility Requirements (at the closing date)

• A full, clean and current driving licence, category B & W

• Current Safe Pass Card

Note:

(1) If your 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.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience, training and qualifications in the areas of work required to be undertaken by a General Operative

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.

Failure to supply copies of requested documentary evidence, as detailed above, with your application will deem your application invalid and it will therefore be disqualified. Original documents will be required to be presented, if you are invited to interview.

Pay

The General Operative Band 3 (Dublin) weekly pay scale for the position, as and from 1st August 2025, is as follows:

Salary: €653.39 – €794.57 per week

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.

Responsibilities and Principal Duties of a General Operative Band 3 (Dublin)

Note: The following list, which is not exhaustive, sets out the broad range of duties that may be required of a General Operative Band 3 (Dublin). Variances in the requirements of individual posts will reflect the management and operational requirements of individual sites and areas of work.

• Working on restoration and conservation works

• Assisting and working with all craft grades as deemed appropriate to your contract in undertaking works

• Drive and operate vehicles and other site machinery as required by management including ride on and pedestrian lawn mowers, tractors and associated machinery, small hydraulic excavators and dumpers

• Undertaking landscape and general maintenance duties as required e.g. grass cutting, mowing lawns, stimming, weeding, weed-killing, scuffling/hoeing, sweeping, cutting hedges, removing graffiti and weeds from building facade, clean shores, or any works appropriate to your contract, etc.

• Operate light equipment to include: leaf blowers, knap sac sprayers, hedge trimmers, and other light equipment to undertake general parks/garden maintenance

• To operate chainsaws and assist with arboriculture works (training provided)

• To operate an access platform (training provided)

• To assist Gardeners with the implementation of floral and horticultural features in the Gardens/Parks

• Preparation and clearance of exhibitions and furniture moving, etc.

• Undertake Site Inspections and Security duties, to include opening and closing site, gate duty, grounds patrol duty and event security; monitoring visitor activity on site; ensure and report to supervisor/manager on the security and protection of the site and monument

• Cleaning of monuments, walk-ways and site area/buildings (including visitor centre/offices/canteen) as directed in accordance with requirements; window cleaning and gutter cleaning; cleaning of toilets, as and when required; open and close toilets as directed; keep supplies stocked up

• To assist with keeping parks/gardens litter free. Work will involve hand-picking and automated litter collection, emptying bins, collecting and disposing of litter from both inside and outside the site, recycling

• Know and understand Health & Safety, keeping areas of work clean, tidy and safe

• Carrying out other duties which are considered appropriate to the grade

Special Working Conditions Apply

• Five-day working week (39 hours), Monday to Friday, and hours of attendance will be arranged according to local management requirements

• Overtime during busy times or when the need arises from local management

• Working alone and in teams

• Working in inclement weather

• Regular physical activity

• Working with blades, chemicals, paints, cleaning agents

• Lifting awkward / heavy loads; climbing scaffolding / working at heights

• Operation of plant / equipment; driving vehicles

• Hazards, sharps including syringes, traffic, wildlife, disorderly members of the public

• Environmental awareness

• Traffic – assisting with plant mobilisation to and from sites

• Working in or near water, working in confined spaces and walking or working on uneven ground

• Wildlife

A General Operative Band 3 Dublin 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:

• Service Manager

• Foreperson

• Chargehand

• 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 it 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

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK)

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

(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

Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform letter dated 28th June 2012 to Personnel Officers introduced, with effect from 1st June 2012, a Collective Agreement which had been reached between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Services Committee of the ICTU in relation to ex-gratia Redundancy Payments to Public Servants

It is a condition of the Collective Agreement that persons availing of the agreement will not be 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 2 years from termination of the employment

People who availed of this scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility (expiry of period of non-eligibility)