General Operative

THE POSITION:

Waterford City & County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent & fixed-term contract vacancies as they arise in the Metropolitan Area including vacancies in our Sports Facilities, both permanent and temporary, will be filled.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

·       Be responsible for the safe keeping of all stores and equipment that has been allocated to him/her for the purpose of carrying out his/her duties;

·       Assist with patch-macadam, tar and chippings;

·       Mix mortar in concrete mixer

·       Use of wheelbarrow, yard brush, shovel, etc.

·       Surface dressing, road strengthening, sweep chips, traffic control;

·       Drainage, road sewers, clean gullies;

·       Treat road for oil spillage;

·       Assist in fencing;

·       Spread gravel;

·       Build walls, clean paint signs;

·       Implement plant maintenance duties as assigned;

·       Monitor plant performance;

·       Maintain plant records as assigned;

·       Litter Picking

·       Digging and Planting and assisting with general landscaping

·       Undertake training for Health& Safety, technical skills and general performance as assigned;

·       Respond to emergencies as requested by Supervisor;

·       Be available for emergency call out outside normal working hours;

·       Be responsible for the maintenance of good work practices and working relationships;

·       Maintain and communicate information for the effective delivery of service;

·       Ensure compliance with organisational policies, procedures and legislation;

·       Support and participate in the establishment and maintenance of improved standards and quality initiatives;

·       Demonstrate flexibility and mobility consistent with the needs of the service;

·       Co-operate with the familiarisation/instruction of other employees where appropriate;

·       Participate and co-operate with all training initiatives as required;

·       Manage and maintain resources effectively and efficiently;

·       Contribute to the development of effective teams;

·       To carry out works in the following areas:

o   Housing & Community;

o   Roads & Transportation;

o   Environmental Protection;

·       Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

1. CHARACTER

Each candidate must be of good character.

2. 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.

3. EDUCATIONAL STANDARD

The ideal candidate shall:

•     Have reached a standard of education sufficient to enable him/her to carry out the duties assigned to him/her;

•     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 outline

•     Have completed manual handling training and possess a current and valid Safe Pass registration card;

•     Hold a full, valid category B driving licence;

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

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES

The following are desirable:

•     A list of desirable competencies is included in the application form. Please indicate the areas of work in which you have experience.

•     Some form of technical qualification and a reasonable level of IT skills would also be of benefit in the role.

BEFORE YOU PROCEED

Before proceeding with this phase of the selection process you should satisfy yourself that you meet the minimum qualification criteria for the post as set out in Page 3 of this booklet. This will prevent you from incurring unnecessary expense in progressing in the competition.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FORM

Applicants are invited to submit application forms in order to apply for the position. Application forms are available on Waterford City & County Council’s website. The information submitted on the application form will then be used to shortlist applications. There is no requirement to submit evidence of education / experience at this point.

Applications must be made on the official application form and all sections must be completed in full. While completing the application form, accuracy is essential. All forms must be clearly legible and in electronic format.

Application forms, once submitted, will be checked to ensure that they meet the required minimum criteria for the position. If your application form does not meet the minimum qualifications for the post as set out in this booklet then your application will be deemed invalid and you will not be permitted to proceed any further in the selection process.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE ROLE OF GENERAL OPERATIVE

Applicants must demonstrate in their application form and at interview (if called) sufficient levels of the following competencies which are relevant to the role of General Operative.

Knowledge and Understanding of Health & Safety (100 Marks)

•     Knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety legislation and practices

•     Awareness of the surrounding environment and can identify potential risks

•     Pays due care to both own and others safety

•     Application of relevant skills in the workplace

Personal Skills ( 100 Marks)

•     Interpersonal & communication skills

•     Self-motivation and ability to work independently

•     Comfortable doing routine work when the need arises

Teamwork (100 Marks)

•     Ability to work as part of a team

•     Is respectful, courteous and professional, remaining composed, even in challenging circumstances

•     Flexible in terms of working hours

Knowledge / Skills / Experience (200 marks)

Applicants are asked to complete a task based questionnaire to demonstrate experience and skills acquired in their employment to date.

SHORT-LISTING

Waterford City & County Council reserves the right to shortlist applications. The shortlisting process may take the form of either a desktop shortlisting process based on the information contained in the application forms or online aptitude testing, or a shortlisting interview.

The information you supply in the application form will play a central part of the shortlisting process. Waterford City & County Council’s decision to include you on the shortlist of candidates going forward to the next stage of the process may be determined based on this information.

The shortlisting board will examine the application forms against pre-determined criteria based on the requirements for the position. It is therefore in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of your relevant qualifications/experience on your application form. The shortlisting board based on examination of the application form will select those who appear to be most suitable for the position.

Where, by reason of the number of persons seeking admission to the competition and the standard of knowledge, training or experience in general of such persons, Waterford City & County Council consider that it would be reasonable not to admit all the persons to the competition, Waterford City & County Council may admit to the competition only persons who appear likely to them to attain in the competition a standard sufficient for selection and recommendation for appointment.

You will be contacted in relation to any interview dates and times. The onus is on you to attend for interview on the dates and times allocated. Alternative dates and times cannot be facilitated. When attending for interview you must produce photographic identification.

INTERVIEW STAGE

The interview is your opportunity to display your knowledge, skills and experience and the Local Authority’s opportunity to assess your suitability for the General Operative role.

The admission of a person to a competition, or invitation to attend an interview, is not to be taken as implying that Waterford City & County Council is satisfied that such person fulfils the requirements of the Regulations or is not disqualified by law from holding the position and does not carry a guarantee that your application will receive further consideration. It is important therefore for you to note, the onus is on you to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the competition before attending for interview.

Waterford City & County Council may at their discretion require candidates to attend a preliminary interview in which case admission to the competitive interview would be conditional on candidates reaching such a standard as Waterford City & County Council considered appropriate in the preliminary interview.

Interviews shall be conducted by Board(s) set up by Waterford City & County Council. The Board(s) will assess the merits of candidates (except insofar as they are assessed otherwise) in respect of matters referred to in the prescribed Qualifications and any other relevant matters. Only candidates who reach such a standard as Waterford City & County Council consider satisfactory in the competitive interview shall be considered for selection and placed on a panel. The onus is on all applicants to make themselves available for interview.

Interviews will be conducted on-line through MS TEAMS.

Salary

The payscale for General Operative as per Circular Letter EL 07/2025 is: €684.25 – €765.29 per week.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government policy.

The holder of the position shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her position or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

Superannuation

The superannuation contributions of relevant scheme will apply.

Retirement Age

There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.

Anyone who is not a new entrant to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years or as determined in accordance with Department Circulars and in line with Government Policy.

The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.

The Council may refer staff to a medical advisor at any time to determine fitness for carrying out the duties to which they have been assigned.

may not apply for this position.

Hours of Work

The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty-nine hours working week. The working hours may be reviewed at any time by the Council. The post will require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including at weekends, as necessary.

All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Waterford City & County Council requires employees to record their hours using the CORE/TDS Clocking system.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement for the grade is 25 days (including Good Friday) per annum. The Chief Executive of Waterford City & County Council retains autonomy with regard to organisation closures, (e.g. Christmas Closure); any days arising from such closure will be reserved from the employee’s annual leave entitlement. Proposed closure days will be reviewed and advised to all employees each year.

Residence

The successful candidate shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed, or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Code of Conduct/Organisational Policies

Employees are to be required to adhere to all current and future Waterford City & County Council codes of practice including Code of Conduct of Employees and all current and future organisational policies including, but not limited to Health and Safety, Communications, Data Protection, Equality, Staff Mobility, Attendance Management and Use of Electronic Equipment. A full list of relevant policies is contained on the council Intranet.

Training

Employees are required to attend and participate fully in training programmes as may be decided by the Council from time to time and to apply their learning in the course of their daily working activities.

Commencement

Waterford City & County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month (subject to notice requirements) and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Waterford City & County Council shall not appoint them.

Reporting Arrangements

General Operative will report directly to the General Services Supervisor or appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Waterford City & County Council as the Chief Executive, Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose.

A system of regular appraisal (PMDS) will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Health & Safety

Waterford City & County Council as an Employer is obliged to ensure, in so far as it is reasonably practicable the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all of its employees. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the County Council has a legal duty to exercise all due care and take all protective and preventative measures to protect the Safety, Health and Welfare of its employees.

All employees also have a legal obligation under Safety and Health legislation to co-operate with management and not engage in any improper conduct or behaviour or do anything, which would place themselves or others at risk.

Employees must not be under the influence of an intoxicant at the place of work. Employees must comply with all Safety and Health rules and regulations and attend all required Safety and Health Training.

Waterford City & County Council operates under OHSAS 18001 accreditation and will be seeking to adopt ISO 45001 in due course. All employees are required to co-operate with the implementation of any and all measures necessary to achieve same.