General Operative

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post as of 01/03/2025 is: €35,195, €37,039, €38,147, €38,905, €39,562, €40,412, €40,931, €41,815, €42,723 New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies

Purpose of the Post

To provide efficient and high quality general labouring services, maintenance and general upkeep of the buildings and grounds, in line with the direction of the Maintenance and Technical Services Manager and maintenance team.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities The General Operative will: BUILDING MAINTENANCE:

• Repair broken windows.
• Waste (domestic & clinical) removal from hospital and out buildings
• Painting.
• Build and / or removal of shelving.
• Use wheelbarrow, yard brush, shovel, etc.
• Mix mortar in concrete mixer.
• Build walls within scope.
• Clean external signage.
• Clean external windows
• Clean and keep tidy plant rooms
• Salt and grit ice paths and roads
• Replace salt in softeners
• Resolve issues with doors, windows, skirting, door closers and locks within scope.
• Be responsible for the safe keeping of all stores and equipment allocated to him / her for the purpose of carrying out his / her duties.
• Laying of concrete within scope.
• Cutting of any hedging and shrubs around property boundary.
• Assist all craftsmen with daily duties.
• Liaise with external contractors who may be engaged in any building works / renovations on site.
• Comply with health and safety requirements.

LEGIONELLA CHECKS

• Monthly template to be completed, if requested.

EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES MAINTENANCE

• Clean building extraction and ventilation system internal and external grilles.

MAINTENANCE OF EXTERNAL OF GROUNDS

• Repair of blocked drains.
• Clean guttering.
• Power washing of paths, streets, buildings.
• Up keep of gardens and green areas.
• Assessment of any leaks within scope.
• Patch macadam, tar and chippings.
• Cleaning of car parks, footpaths, access roads and road gullies.
• Cut grass, be able to use lawnmower and strimmer, etc.
• Assist in fencing repair / installation, where needed.
• Weed control around properties.
• Spread gravel.
• Use wheelbarrow, yard brush, shovel, etc.
• Assess any issues with heating, lighting, ventilation, etc. and report to
• maintenance foremen/ast foremen.

MAINTENANCE OF INTERNAL & EXTERNAL BUILDING

• Painting of internal and external walls, doors, ceilings, skirting boards and window boards, etc.
• Other duties as may be assigned from time to time

DRIVING

• Maintain vehicle checks for Maintenance Department vehicles.
• Use company vehicles for collection and delivery of materials, etc.
• Other driving duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Team Work

• Have the competence to work on one’s own initiative and unsupervised, the person employed must have the ability to work effectively within the maintenance team in a proactive approach and manner.
• Use of Smart Phone/Email as job request can come through by email address or text message.

Education & Training

• Be required to participate in the education and training programme as part of your role.

Health & Safety

• Familiarise himself / herself with the Fire Fighting Equipment and the Fire & Safety Regulations in operation at the complex.
• Familiarise himself / herself with the code of Safe Lifting Practice and to adhere to same at all times.
• Familiarise himself / herself with the operation of workshop machinery and to observe good workshop practices at all times.
• Use protective clothing and equipment as necessary during the course of duty in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 and 2004 and observe all other Safety Procedures currently in force.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria Qualifications and/or experience Candidates must have at the latest date of application: - 1. Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc. i) Possess a Junior Certificate (or higher) or equivalent qualification. And ii) Have successfully undertaken or be willing to undertake the Solas Safe Pass Health & Safety Awareness Training Programme, or equivalent approved training programme. (Please note if you have not undertaken this training, you will be required to successfully complete this training on taking up the post). And iii) Be the holder of a full valid unendorsed Category B Driving Licence. And iv) Adequate education, training and a minimum of five years relevant experience working in construction or maintenance, which would render him/her suitable to perform satisfactorily the duties of the post of General Operative. And v) Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability including a high standard of suitability for the proper discharge of the duties of the office 2. Age Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs. 3. Health A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. 4. Character Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Post Specific Requirements

• Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in building and grounds maintenance in a healthcare environment as relevant to the role.

Other requirements specific to the post

• Due to the nature of the business of the department, some of the works will be conducted outdoors and out of hours, weekends ect, on roofs (fixing leaks ect), clearing roads for safe passage of ambulance and cars in difficult weather conditions. The post holder will be required to work in all weather conditions when requested to do so, or when circumstances dictate.
• The post holder may be required to participate in an on-call rota system for emergency call outs.
• As the maintenance service is a 24 hour service, overtime may be required periodically.
• The successful candidate may be required to work in any area of the Ireland East Hospital Group, from time to time.
• Candidates should live within a reasonable travel time of the respective Maintenance Department, in order that emergencies can be responded to within a reasonable period of time.
• Access to own transport as post may involve travel between sites.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge Candidates must: Knowledge/Professional Knowledge

• Experience in building construction and maintenance.
• Knowledge of plant and machinery relevant to the role.
• Demonstrate experience in the measurement of materials.
• Demonstrate an ability to organise tools and equipment to complete maintenance and project work.
• Demonstrate knowledge of general preventative maintenance.

Team working / Communication

• Work reliably on his / her own or within the team without close supervision.
• Demonstrate the ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team to resolve problems and implement solutions.
• Demonstrate an understanding of one’s own role and the roles of others within the team.
• Demonstrate the ability to work in partnership working toward service improvements.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner, written and verbal
• Demonstrate an ability to receive and implement instructions in an effective and efficient manner.

Problem Solving and Initiative

• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the practicality of possible solutions.
• Demonstrate the ability to implement solutions and incorporate learning.
• Demonstrate experience in working effectively under pressure.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate information, solve problems and make decisions in a timely manner.

Health & Safety/Legislation

• Demonstrate evidence of knowledge of Health and Safety and how it pertains to the workplace.
• Apply safe and environmentally friendly work practice.
• Demonstrate a commitment to providing a quality service including an awareness and appreciation of the service user such as patients, medical and non-medical staff.

Communication Skills

• Demonstrates excellent communication skills (written and verbal) so as to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.

Campaign Specific Selection Process Ranking/Shortlisting/Interview A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements. Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not progressing to the next stage of the selection process. Those successful at the ranking stage of this process, where applied, will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion The HSE is an equal opportunities employer. Employees of the HSE bring a range of skills, talents, diverse thinking and experience to the organisation. The HSE believes passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to its success – we aim to develop the workforce of the HSE so that it reflects the diversity of HSE service users and to strengthen it through accommodating and valuing different perspectives. Ultimately this will result in improved service user and employee experience. The HSE is committed to creating a positive working environment whereby all employees inclusive of age, civil status, disability, ethnicity and race, family status, gender, membership of the Traveller community, religion and sexual orientation are respected, valued and can reach their full potential. The HSE aims to achieve this through development of an organisational culture where injustice, bias and discrimination are not tolerated. The HSE welcomes people with diverse backgrounds and offers a range of supports and resources to staff, such as those who require a reasonable accommodation at work because of a disability or long-term health condition. Read more about the HSE’s commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Code of Practice The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles to be followed when making an appointment. These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice. The Code outlines the standards to be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and sets out the review and appeal mechanisms open to candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process. Read the CPSA Code of Practice.