Household and Catering Assistant

The Office of Public Works (OPW) invites applications for the position of Household and Catering Assistant at a State Venue in Dublin.

The positions are Non Established State Industrial posts based on a 39 hour week (full time), five days per week rostered over 7 days and the appointment 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 post, following the end of the probation period, will be dependent upon the appointee fully meeting the requirements of the position during the probation period.

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 above position should submit a completed application form, and copies of specified required documentation.

A short listing assessment, based on the information supplied in the applications, may be used by OPW to select those applicants who are to be invited to attend for competitive interview. Selection for appointment to the position will be determined by the Interview Board through a competitive interview process with each candidate who is invited to the interview and a reserve panel, effective for a limited period, may be formed.

Any offer of a position will be subject to the candidate satisfactorily meeting the OPW’s requirements with regard to references, health and Garda vetting. In the event that the candidate does not satisfactorily meet the OPW’s requirements in these regards, the candidate will receive no further consideration under the competition and will not proceed to appointment.

Following the interview selection process, a panel may be established to fill any future sanctioned permanent, fixed term or part time positions that may arise at the State Venue(s) for the duration of the panel which will remain in effect for a limited period of time. Placement on the panel 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 panel.

The following process will apply in relation to offers:

Candidates may refuse any offers of Fixed Term or Permanent positions as Household and Catering Assistant for any of the sites offered only once, and one form of contract (whether 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.

Candidates should note that if they are offered a permanent post at any of the sites and they then accept that post, they will no longer be considered for any other location for the duration of this panel.

If they are offered and refuse a permanent post in any of the sites, they will be removed from the panel for that specific site, but will remain on the panel(s) for any future posts that may arise in any of the other sites for which this competition recruits.

For example:

Candidate Z indicates a preference for (a) Site A (b) Site B.

Candidate Z is offered a Fixed Term post at Site A. Candidate Z refuses this offer, so he or she will not be offered a Fixed Term post at Site A. However, Candidate Z will remain on the panel to be offered a permanent post at Site A.

Candidate Z will also remain on the panel for either fixed term or permanent post at Site B and the same process will be conducted.

If Candidate Z turns down each job offer in turn, he or she will slowly reduce their options and eventually not be offered either a Fixed Term or a Permanent post at either Site A or Site B for the duration of this panel.

When a panel is expired, all offers will cease for this competition.

The Role

The primary function of the job holder will be to carry out duties relating to front and back of house, household duties including housekeeping, room layouts, set up and food and drink service all of which must be delivered to the highest standard. This will include all residential properties, waiting areas, offices and exhibition spaces within the environs of the State Venue.

It should be noted that a high degree of flexibility will be required for this role as the successful candidate may be required to work as a night concierge during State visits.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Candidates must have, on the closing date for receipt of applications, the following minimum requirements:

• HAACP Certification, basic food safety and hygiene;

or

• Experience of working in an establishment with a high quality of service;

and

• Have access to own transport as the location is not directly connected to public transport and due to flexible working hours.

• Proficiency in the English language, verbal and written.

Note: Irish or Foreign qualification (deemed in a similar field of study) recognised as equivalent to the above qualification.

Desirable Eligibility Requirements

• Qualification in Food Service and Housekeeping – Fáilte Ireland recognised or equivalent;

• Preparation, cooking and service of food particularly light cooking, preparation and service on a 24 hour basis.

The ideal candidate must:

• Demonstrate flexibility and mobility consistent with the needs of the service, delivering training in multi geographical locations.

• Have excellent organisational, planning and administrative skills.

• Have excellent communications and interpersonal skills in order to deliver vibrant and meaningful training.

The ideal candidate should have the ability to:

• Work independently and as part of a team;

• Be physically capable of meeting the requirements of the position;

• Show a committed and flexible attitude to tasks and projects;

• Demonstrate good work practices including time keeping, tidiness, responsibility, quality awareness and safety awareness;

• Be computer literate and have the necessary Information Technology skills to carry out duties.

Candidates should note that 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 Household and Catering Assistant pay scale, based on a 39 hour week, as and from 1st August 2025 is as follows:

€665.10 – €787.44 per week.

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

Important Note: Increments may be awarded subject to changes in the terms and conditions relating to salary increments in the Civil and Public Service generally.

Payment will be made weekly by Electronic Fund Transfer 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.

Additional Payments

Various subsistence and 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.

General Candidate Requirements

• Demonstrate appropriate self presentation;

• Have experience in both food service and housekeeping;

• Demonstrate a high degree of flexibility in terms of working hours and be consistent with needs of the service. Hours of attendance may change at short notice;

• Have access to own transport, as start and finish times may occur when public transport is not available;

• Work on own initiative while being part of a larger team;

• Show a committed and flexible attitude to tasks and projects;

• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills coupled with a professional, polite and courteous manner when dealing with residents, colleagues, management and guests.

Principal Duties and Skills

The following list of duties and skills is not exhaustive but indicative of the role of Household and Catering Assistant. You will be expected to perform the duties assigned to you by your Supervisor or Manager, and by any person to whom authority has been delegated, which are considered appropriate to your position.

• To welcome all visitors;

• To understand and interpret household requests from the House Manager and any other person to whom responsibility has been delegated;

• To have knowledge of cleaning products and solutions, best practice;

• Ensuring that all cleaning products, chemicals and equipment are used and stored appropriately;

• Assessing and confirming that all equipment and furnishings are in good repair and clean, reporting faults to House Manager;

• To have knowledge of table settings, display and layouts for presentations; and care and storage of State china, crockery and cutlery;

• To ensure that facilities are returned in line with management requirements;

• Liaise with caterers to ensure that facilities are left in the same condition;

• Responsible for inventory of crockery and issuing them to caterers and ensuring they are returned;

• The formal service of lunches, dinners and receptions;

• To set up room layouts as prescribed and to ensure that tables and equipment are in place for each event as advised and to clear areas after events;

• To carry out cleaning duties as required including toilets, bedrooms, office areas, stocktaking, laundry, vacuum and other household and facility upkeep;

• To use correct storage and cleaning procedures for glassware, silverware and china;

• To ensure that equipment and furnishings of the household are maintained to a high standard;

• Knowledge of the care of specialised equipment, furniture, fabrics, silver, crystal and crockery;

• To carry out other duties that are considered appropriate to the grade as delegated by House Manager and any other member of staff to whom responsibility has been delegated;

• Preparation of light fare for example sandwiches, pastries, teas and coffees;

• Food service and or housekeeping experience of banqueting and fine dining to the highest level;

• Deep clean of kitchens on a regular basis;

• Being aware of all health and safety regulations, reporting hazards and potential hazards immediately;

• Adhering to Infection Prevention and Control protocols;

• Maintaining confidentiality at all times;

• Reporting to management any damage or situation which may lead to members of the public, residents or staff injuring themselves;

• Ad hoc duties as required;

• Be aware of HACCP guidelines to ensure the kitchen meets all regulations including hygiene and food safety guidelines and compliance. Keep up to date records of all regulatory requirements relating to hygiene, health and safety, and fire;

• Undertake other tasks and training, deemed by management as appropriate to the position and role, when required;

• Follow security protocols;

• To carry out other duties that are considered appropriate to the grade as delegated by management and any other member of staff to whom responsibility has been delegated.

The Household and Catering Assistant is required to:

• Demonstrate flexibility and mobility, consistent with the needs of the service;

• Carry out all work in a safe manner both to colleagues and visitors through understanding, observance and application of Health and Safety requirements;

• Maintain a high standard of personal hygiene and dress in an appropriate manner, in line with management dress code;

• Use correct protocol when addressing visitors;

• Carry out other duties and works deemed by management as appropriate to the grade and to the position;

• Co operate with the introduction of new work practices and technology;

• Contribute to a good team spirit;

• Successfully undertake training as and when required.

The ideal candidate must:

• Be well organised and careful with practical tasks;

• Have excellent communications skills and work as part of a multi disciplinary team;

• Have the ability to deal well with the public;

• Demonstrate appropriate self presentation;

• Have multi skilled experience in both food service and housekeeping;

• Demonstrate a high degree of flexibility in terms of working hours and weekends, consistent with needs of the service. Hours of attendance may change at short notice.

The ideal candidate should have the ability to:

• Solve problems and use their own initiative;

• Work independently or unsupervised and as part of a team;

• Show a committed and flexible attitude to tasks and projects;

• Demonstrate good work practices including time keeping, tidiness, responsibility, quality awareness and safety awareness.

Special Working Conditions

• The appointees must be prepared to be flexible in the hours of attendance;

• Attendance may be required in early mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays;

• The appointee may be required to work at any location in the Dublin city area;

• The working week will be rostered over seven days; the actual days and hours of attendance will be arranged according to local management requirements;

• Working with sharps, chemicals, cleaning agents.

Contacts with:

• Staff of the Office of Public Works;

• Members of the public;

• External contractors, caterers and suppliers.

Reporting Relationship

The Household and Catering Assistant reports to the House Manager and to any other person to whom authority has been delegated and or assigned.

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. The European Economic Area consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom; or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the European Union and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non European Economic Area citizen who has a Stamp 4 or a Stamp 5 visa.

Please note that a 50 TEU visa, which is a replacement for Stamp 4 EUFAM after Brexit, is acceptable as a Stamp 4 equivalent.

To qualify, candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.

All non European Union and European Economic Area 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 Irish Congress of Trade Unions 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 to 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, being the expiry of the period of non eligibility.

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12 of 2009 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.

Department of Health and Children Circular 7 of 2010

The Department of Health Circular 7 of 2010 dated 1 November 2010 introduced a Targeted Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme and Voluntary Redundancy Schemes. It is a condition of the Voluntary Early Retirement scheme that persons availing of the scheme will not be eligible for re employment in the public health sector or in the wider Public Service or in a body wholly or mainly funded from public moneys. The same prohibition on re employment applies under the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme, except that the prohibition is for a period of 7 years. People who availed of the Voluntary Early Retirement scheme are not eligible to compete in this competition. People who availed of the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility, being the expiry of the period of non eligibility.

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government Circular Letter LG (P) 06 of 2013

The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government Circular Letter LG (P) 06 of 2013 introduced a Voluntary Redundancy Scheme for Local Authorities. In accordance with the terms of the Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants dated 28 June 2012 as detailed above, it is a specific condition of that Voluntary Redundancy Scheme that persons will not be eligible for re employment in any Public Service body as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 to 2011 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 for a period of 2 years from their date of departure under this Scheme. These conditions also apply in the case of engagement or employment on a contract for service basis either as a contractor or as an employee of a contractor.