General Services Supervisor

Duties and Responsibilities

The General Services Supervisor shall, under the direction of the Municipal District Engineer or other delegated person discharge all duties related to their work including those set out hereunder: -

• To supervise and direct general operatives/gangers or others in their area whether directly employed by the Council or under contract.

• To ensure that all works in their charge are always suitably completed; verifying and initialing time books at time of inspection and ensuring that adequate supplies of materials, tools, and equipment for the works in hand are available.

• To supervise the conditions on all works, maintenance, construction, depots, quarries and gravel pits under the control of the County Council and in charge of the Supervisor, so as to ensure that they are properly and safely operated in accordance with the relevant legislation.

• To supervise the performance of all machinery and plant in their area and to ensure that all plant is properly and safely operated and gainfully employed.

• To respond to reasonable requests for assistance from the Municipal District Engineer/their nominee or Emergency services to carry out duties outside normal working hours.

• To report immediately, the circumstances of any inefficiency or unsatisfactory work or service in their charge and to carry out the appropriate actions of such reports.

• To carry out early and late inspections of gangs as required and to attend on the roads or on works during the normal working hours of the Council’s employees.

• To travel as required and inspect public roads in their area, and to take all necessary steps for keeping them in good repair at all times, subject to general direction of the Municipal District Engineer.

• To collect and check Ganger’s time books and prepare pay sheets, and to take them to the District Office for examination at the appropriate time.

• To see that all signposts, warning signs, public lights and litterbins or other notices in their area are maintained in a proper condition and to report vandalism of such items.

• To keep records of all work done including materials produced, supplied and used and quantities or work done. To check measurement of loads, etc., so as to verify that they contain the amounts specified. They should maintain a personal daily diary, which can be inspected at any time. This diary may be electronic or manual. This diary to include detailed accounts of incidents which could lead to litigation by others. This work to be carried out as part of normal daily duties.

• To prepare requisitions for articles or materials required for road, sanitary, housing or other works in their area, and to complete all forms required in connection with supply of such articles or materials.

• To be responsible for the custody of all maintenance and construction materials, tools and equipment in their area, and for the keeping of necessary records.

• To liaise with and supervise work carried out by contractors/sub-contractors engaged by the local authority.

• To prepare data necessary to enable the Municipal District Engineer to work out daily or fortnightly costings, or other necessary analysis of expenditure in relation to work done as required.

• To furnish all reports and returns in connection with works, quarries, accidents and sundry matters, which may be required from time to time.

• To serve notices on landowners in connection with hedge cutting, spillages and cleaning of drains and other relevant Statutory notices. To give evidence in Court when required in connection with these matters, or any other matter which are the concern of the County Council.

• To keep the Municipal District Engineer advised on all matters which may be of importance in the interest of the County Council and to liaise with other sections of the Council on works and emergencies.

• The holder of the post will be required to avail of modern communications, such as computers, tablets car radio and/or mobile phone, as directed.

• To deal with members of the public in a courteous, prompt and efficient manner and to keep the Municipal District Engineer informed of such dealings.

• To use as required Information Technology equipment including digital cameras, personal computers, and handheld technologies.

• To act if directed as an Authorised Officer of the Council under the Litter Pollution, Water Pollution, Waste Management Acts and other relevant Acts.

• To participate as required in evaluation of their staff and appraisal by Municipal District Engineer.

• To participate in training provided by the County Council and to facilitate training of their staff.

• To participate fully in any initiatives aimed at increasing customer satisfaction/quality of service to the community.

• To supervise and/or liaise with CES or other such schemes operated by the County Council.

• To ensure that the provisions of the Health and Safety legislation are complied with.

• To carry out any other instructions which may be given by the Municipal District Engineer or their Assistants from time to time.

Qualifications

Character:

Each candidate must be of good character.

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.

Education, Training and Experience etc.:

Candidates should have a standard of education that would enable them to efficiently perform their duties and must be capable of making satisfactory reports (including written reports) on matters pertaining to the duties of the post.

Experience

Each candidate should be competent and have such training or experience considered acceptable by the Council to enable the person appointed to perform the duties of the post.

In particular, candidates should have satisfactory knowledge and at least two years satisfactory experience of the following matters:

a) civil engineering works, with particular emphasis on road building, road surfacing and road maintenance works;

b) civil engineering construction techniques, including road surfacing, footpath construction, leveling, pipe laying, fencing and block laying, together with a working knowledge of maintenance and repairs of roads, drains, open spaces and other services for which the Council has responsibility;

c) technical drawings, with the ability to translate working drawings into civil engineering works;

d) report writing and record keeping, with the ability to write clear and concise reports, and the capacity to accurately measure and record work carried out by those supervised; and supervisory skills, with the ability to manage, direct and motivate groups of operatives.

Please supply copies of any certificates, diplomas or degrees you may have with the application form. Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

Competencies for the post of General Services Supervisor

Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these. Please take particular note to these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by the candidates:

Team Work and Communicating Effectively

• Has a creative and collaborative approach to problem solving and working with others to reach a solution.

• Contributes positively to the achievement of team objectives.

• Communicates effectively & professionally with range of stakeholders including colleagues, elected members, citizens and service providers.

• Is effective in communicating a complex or technical message, using language appropriate to the audience.

Performance through People

• Has a creative and collaborative approach to problem solving and working with others to reach a solution.

• Demonstrates ability to support the line manager and work as part of a team.

• Communicates effectively & professionally with range of stakeholders including colleagues, elected members, citizens and service providers.

• Has excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Delivering Results

• Implements high standards of service delivery and work quality.

• Contributes ideas and suggestions as to how quality of work can be improved.

• Takes responsibility for the delivery of results and for bringing projects and tasks to completion in their area of operation.

• Makes timely, informed and effective decisions and shows good judgement and balance in making decisions or recommendations.

• Is aware of and understands relevant legislation, regulations and policies that govern the Local Authority.

Personal Effectiveness

• Is enthusiastic about the role and motivated in the face of difficulties and obstacles.

• Remains calm under pressure and has the ability to manage the delivery of several tasks/projects concurrently.

• Manages their time effectively, focusing on essential tasks and responsibilities.

• Is open to take on new challenges or responsibilities.

• Keeps up with current and emerging developments, trends and best practice in this area.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local Government.

• Knowledge of current local government issues.

• Understanding of the role of a General Services Supervisor.

Particulars of Employment

The Post

Normal hours of work will be from 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., Monday to Thursday and 8.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. on a Friday. A Local Productivity Agreement applies from 3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. on a Friday. The Council reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time. You may be required to work overtime on various occasions for which payment will be made at the appropriate nationally agreed rates. You will be expected to co-operate with on call arrangements where required. All hours of work will be subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001.

Location

Kildare County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidates to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

Drivers Licence

Successful applicants employed by Kildare County Council will be required to hold a current clean Irish /EU licence, for Class B vehicles, or a licence acceptable to NDLS for transfer to full Irish licence. A suitable vehicle will be provided by Kildare County Council to carry out the role, during working hours. It is the employee's responsibility to make their own way to and from their place of work.

Commencement

Kildare 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 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, Kildare County Council shall not appoint them.

Reporting Arrangements

General Service Supervisors report directly to the appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Kildare County Council as the Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose. A system of regular appraisal will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Probationary Period of Employment

Where a person is permanently appointed to Kildare County Council, the following provisions shall apply –

a) there shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation;

b) such period shall be twelve months, but the Chief Executive may, at their discretion, extend such period;

c) such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory;

d) the period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one weeks’ notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts;

e) there will be assessments during the probationary period.

Remuneration

The present weekly scale is: €905.25 - €922.53 - €939.79 - €957.58 - €975.26 - €993.03 - €1,011.25 - €1,029.36 - €1,047.95 - €1,066.70. On appointment successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the salary scale. Appointment to a higher point of the salary scale may apply to candidates employed elsewhere in the public service, subject to verification of service history. Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employees nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment. Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g., P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

Superannuation & Retirement

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of the County Council will be required in respect of their Superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the appropriate rate. The terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 as amended or the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 or the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme & Other Provisions) Act 2012 will apply as appropriate on appointment. Retirement age for employees is dependent on their relevant contract of employment, with due consideration being given to the rules of the Superannuation Scheme to which they belong.

• For appointees who are deemed not to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, retirement is compulsory on reaching 65 years of age.

• The minimum retirement age for “new entrants” to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is 65. There is no mandatory retirement age.

• Effective from 1st January 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks:

Retirement age is set, initially, at 66 years; this will rise in step with statutory changes in the State Pension Contributory (SPC) age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028.

Compulsory retirement age will be 70.

Annual Leave

Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the nationally agreed annual leave scheme for the sector. The annual leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. The current leave entitlement for this post is 25 days including Good Friday. The Chief Executive of Kildare County Council retains autonomy regarding office closures, (e.g., Christmas Office Closure), any days arising from such closure will be reserved from the employee’s annual leave entitlement. Proposed office closure days will be reviewed and advised to all employees each year.

Residence

The person holding the office must reside in, or at an address convenient to the Local Authority, as approved by the Chief Executive.

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 with the performance of official duties.

Code Of Conduct/Organisation Policies

Employees are required to adhere to all current and future Kildare 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.