General Operatives

The Office of Public Works (OPW) invites applications for positions in the grade of General Operative Band 3 (Rural) in the OPW’s West Region Arterial Drainage Maintenance and Construction Services Division. The General Operative Band 3 (Rural) position is a Non-Established State Industrial post based on a 39-hour week, (Monday to Friday) and is subject to a seven-month probation period which may be extended to ten 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 for the position during the Probation Period. The actual hours of attendance are determined by local management requirements. The OPW is responsible for the maintenance of arterial drainage schemes completed under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act, the construction and maintenance of flood defence schemes under the 1995 (Amendment) Act and under Planning and Development Legislation (Local Authority led schemes). The West Region Division also provides professional advice on the advancement of flood defence schemes and related matters. Schemes construction by the West Region division are carried out using the “Direct managed Works Model” consisting of a large direct labour workforce, supplemented as necessary by private section suppliers and sub-contractors. This is an Open OPW recruitment competition to which applicants with the minimum eligibility requirements may apply. Persons who wish to be considered for appointment to the General Operative Band 3 (Rural) Arterial Drainage Maintenance and Construction Services Division, and who meet the essential eligibility requirements, should submit a completed and signed application form. The selection process may include a short-listing process, based on the information supplied on the application form, which will determine those to be invited to competitive interview. The competitive interview process, will be used by OPW to select the candidate that is deemed suitable for appointment to fill the position and a reserve panel, effective for a limited period, may be formed, and may be used to fill certain sanctioned seasonal, fixed term or permanent positions that may arise in West Region Drainage, Maintenance and Construction Services Division. 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 health and requirements for the position and achieving the required standard on a practical driving assessment. Internal panels take precedence for appointment over open competitions. Separate panels for the Headford Depot area, the Ballina Depot area and the Lifford Depot area will be formed in the order of merit on each panel as determined by the Interview Board.

General Operative Band 3 (Rural) - Arterial Drainage Maintenance & Construction Service positions (1) Counties Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and any works managed by the Headford Depot Area A. Arterial Drainage Maintenance B. Construction Services Division (2) Counties Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo and any works managed by the Ballina Depot Area. C. Arterial Drainage Maintenance D. Construction Services Division (3) Counties Donegal, Leitrim and any works managed by the Lifford Depot Area. E. Arterial Drainage Maintenance F. Construction Services Division

The following process will apply in relation to offers: Candidates may indicate preferences for positions in either Arterial Drainage Maintenance or in Construction Services however, the following process will apply in relation to offers. Candidates may refuse any offers of Seasonal, Fixed Term or Permanent positions for A,C or E in Arterial Drainage Maintenance or B,D or F in Construction Services only once and one form of contract, whether Seasonal, Fixed Term or Permanent only once each. If a candidate refuses either of the above options, no further offer will be made for that specific form of contract in a specific location within either Arterial Drainage Maintenance or Construction Services. Candidate will however remain on other panels for which they have indicated a preference for the duration of the panel(s). All offers are made in order of merit on reserve panels following a competitive interview process.

For example: Candidate Z indicates a preference for Arterial Drainage Maintenance in Locations (1) Headford Depot and (2) Ballina Depot and Construction Services in Location (1) Headford Depot. Candidate Z is offered a Seasonal post in (A) Arterial Drainage Maintenance in geographic location covered by the Headford Depot. Candidate Z refuses this post, so he/she will no longer be offered a Seasonal post in (A) Arterial Drainage Maintenance in geographic location covered by the Headford depot. Separate panels for the Headford Depot area, the Ballina Depot area and the Lifford Depot area will be formed in the order of merit on each panel as determined by the Interview Board. General Operative Band 3 (Rural) - Arterial Drainage Maintenance & Construction Service positions (1) Counties Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and any works managed by the Headford Depot Area A. Arterial Drainage Maintenance B. Construction Services Division (2) Counties Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo and any works managed by the Ballina Depot Area. C. Arterial Drainage Maintenance D. Construction Services Division (3) Counties Donegal, Leitrim and any works managed by the Lifford Depot Area. E. Arterial Drainage Maintenance F. Construction Services Division

The following process will apply in relation to offers: Candidates may indicate preferences for positions in either Arterial Drainage Maintenance or in Construction Services however, the following process will apply in relation to offers. Candidates may refuse any offers of Seasonal, Fixed Term or Permanent positions for A,C or E in Arterial Drainage Maintenance or B,D or F in Construction Services only once and one form of contract, whether Seasonal, Fixed Term or Permanent only once each. If a candidate refuses either of the above options, no further offer will be made for that specific form of contract in a specific location within either Arterial Drainage Maintenance or Construction Services. Candidate will however remain on other panels for which they have indicated a preference for the duration of the panel(s). All offers are made in order of merit on reserve panels following a competitive interview process.

For example: Candidate Z indicates a preference for Arterial Drainage Maintenance in Locations (1) Headford Depot and (2) Ballina Depot and Construction Services in Location (1) Headford Depot. Candidate Z is offered a Seasonal post in (A) Arterial Drainage Maintenance in geographic location covered by the Headford Depot. Candidate Z refuses this post, so he/she will no longer be offered a Seasonal post in (A) Arterial Drainage Maintenance in geographic location covered by the Headford depot. However, Candidate Z will remain on panel to be offered a Fixed Term or Permanent post in (A) Arterial Drainage Maintenance in geographic location covered by the Headford Depot and either a Seasonal, Fixed term or Permanent post in (C) Arterial Drainage Maintenance in geographic location covered by the Ballina Depot and either seasonal, fixed term or permanent in Construction Services in geographic location covered by the Headford Depot. If Candidate Z turns down each job offer in turn, he/she will slowly reduce their options and eventually not be offered Arterial Drainage Maintenance or Construction Service contracts of Fixed Term or Permanent, based in either any of the selected geographic locations.

Essential Eligibility Criteria: (at the closing date) Candidates must, at the closing date, meet all of the following minimum requirements:

• A current full, clean and current manual driving licence, category B & W;*1,2

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

• Current Safe Pass card;**

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.

• Experience in Maintenance and/or Construction industry; 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.

Requirements and Principal Duties of a General Operative Band 3 (Rural) - (Arterial Drainage Maintenance or Construction Service Division)

Note: The following list, which is not exhaustive, sets out the broad range of duties that may be required to be undertaken by a General Operative Band 3 (Rural) in the Arterial Drainage Maintenance or Construction Services Division. Variances in the requirements of individual posts will reflect the management and operational requirements of individual sites and areas of work.

• Concrete works; shuttering; concreting; steel-fixing; block work;
• Ground works including duct work, pipe work, hand-digging etc.;
• Plant operation, as appropriate to training received;
• Manual spraying operations, as appropriate to training received;
• Scaffolding, as appropriate to training received;
• Assist with structure inspections;
• Work on the construction and repair of bridges and other structures;
• Work on channel maintenance operations and undertake all associated tasks i.e. remove silt and debris, fence, cut back foliage etc.;
• Assist with embankment inspections;
• General maintenance of depots and installations;
• Operation of plant/equipment, including chainsaws and pole saws;
• Driving vehicles;
• Maintain ISO records and communications, as required

However, Candidate Z will remain on panel to be offered a Fixed Term or Permanent post in (A) Arterial Drainage Maintenance in geographic location covered by the Headford Depot and either a Seasonal, Fixed term or Permanent post in (C) Arterial Drainage Maintenance in geographic location covered by the Ballina Depot and either seasonal, fixed term or permanent in Construction Services in geographic location covered by the Headford Depot. If Candidate Z turns down each job offer in turn, he/she will slowly reduce their options and eventually not be offered Arterial Drainage Maintenance or Construction Service contracts of Fixed Term or Permanent, based in either any of the selected geographic locations.

Essential Eligibility Criteria: (at the closing date) Candidates must, at the closing date, meet all of the following minimum requirements:

• A current full, clean and current manual driving licence, category B & W;*1,2

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

Current Safe Pass card;** 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.

• Experience in Maintenance and/or Construction industry; 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.

Requirements and Principal Duties of a General Operative Band 3 (Rural) - (Arterial Drainage Maintenance or Construction Service Division)

Note: The following list, which is not exhaustive, sets out the broad range of duties that may be required to be undertaken by a General Operative Band 3 (Rural) in the Arterial Drainage Maintenance or Construction Services Division. Variances in the requirements of individual posts will reflect the management and operational requirements of individual sites and areas of work.

• Concrete works; shuttering; concreting; steel-fixing; block work;
• Ground works including duct work, pipe work, hand-digging etc.;
• Plant operation, as appropriate to training received;
• Manual spraying operations, as appropriate to training received;
• Scaffolding, as appropriate to training received;
• Assist with structure inspections;
• Work on the construction and repair of bridges and other structures;
• Work on channel maintenance operations and undertake all associated tasks i.e. remove silt and debris, fence, cut back foliage etc.;
• Assist with embankment inspections;
• General maintenance of depots and installations;
• Operation of plant/equipment, including chainsaws and pole saws;
• Driving vehicles;
• Maintain ISO records and communications, as required

The General Operative 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 a positive, flexible and proactive approach to work allied with an ability to deliver an effective work presence;
• Carry out all work in an efficient and safe manner, in accordance with the directions of the Regional Engineer/Foreman, with regard to self, colleagues and the public through understanding, observance and application of Health and Safety requirements;
• Successfully undertake training as and when required;
• Be physically capable of meeting the full range of the requirements of the position;
• Carry out other duties/works deemed by management as reasonable and appropriate to the grade and to the position;
• Co-operate with the operation of and introduction of new work practices and technology e.g. tablets, smart phones, vehicle tracking, electronic information circulation incl. location reporting.

Special working conditions apply:

• Manual handling and lifting of awkward / heavy loads;
• Mechanical lifting of awkward / heavy loads;
• Environmental awareness;
• Working at heights and in confined spaces;
• Working in inclement weather conditions;
• Management of traffic and assisting with plant mobilisation to and from sites;
• Dealing sensitively with members of the public/property owners;
• Hazards – sharps, chemicals, traffic, wildlife, uneven/soft ground, disorderly members of the public;
• Working in or near water;
• Working in large urban areas;
• Working in isolated rural areas;
• Working adjacent to overhead power lines and other utility infrastructure;
• Appointees will be required to report directly to work, as directed by management, to any location in the areas under the responsibility of the assigned OPW Depot under which the position is being offered.

Contacts with:

• Staff of the Office of Public Works;
• Local Authorities, semi-state and other service/utility providers;
• Members of the public;
• External contractors and suppliers;
• Land/property owners.

Reporting Relationship The General Operative Band 3 (Rural) (Arterial Drainage Maintenance or Construction Service Division), will be assigned a location/function by the relevant Head of Section (Engineer Grade 1) and will report to the Engineer Grade 2 and any other person to whom authority has been 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; 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. 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).

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees under that Scheme, are not eligible to apply for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position. Pay

€636.95 - €779.76 per week

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

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

• Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned;
• Be suitable on the grounds of character;
• Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned; and if successful, they will not be appointed to or, if appointed, continue in employment in the post unless they:
• agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed;
• are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position.