Maintenance Craftsperson (Housing)

1. The Position

The Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Maintenance Craftsperson.

It is proposed to form a panel of qualified candidates from which vacancies, both permanent and temporary, will be filled during the lifetime of the panel.

The Craftsperson will be part of a team reporting through the line management structure within the Housing & MD Services Division.

2. Roles, Duties & Responsibilities

A non-exhaustive list of duties is provided below:

The primary duties of the Maintenance Craftsperson in Housing are the repair and maintenance of the housing stock as may be assigned from time to time by the Clerk of Works and/or the Area Engineer, Housing and MD Services and shall include the following:

• To adopt and adhere to all Health, Safety, and Welfare procedures, taking specified measures to avoid exposing oneself, colleagues, tenants, and the general public to unacceptable risk, ensuring full compliance with the Council’s statutory legislative obligations.
• To notify supervisors immediately (Clerk of Works or Area Engineer) of any hazard, defect, deficiency, or remedial action required within the scope of Safety, Health, and Welfare.
• To actively participate in all required Health & Safety training programmes.
• To carry out repair and maintenance work on any component of a Council property, associated services and systems, fixtures, and fittings, to the standards specified and within the limits of competency, skills, and training provided.
• To respond to emergency callouts and execute urgent works agreed under on-call arrangements, including clearing blocked drains/sewers, repairing burst pipes/tanks/boilers, executing emergency roof repairs, and restoring units to a habitable condition.
• To assist with regular inspections and condition reports on housing stock, fixed components (such as roofs, guttering, chimneys, windows, and doors), services, and internal fixtures, while helping to update the housing stock inventory schedule.
• To assist with and facilitate, as directed, the on-site operations and work carried out by private contractors.
• To collect, collate, and monitor service delivery data—including the quantity and categorisation of repair requests, response times, and the workmanship standards of private contractors—to help assess current service provision and develop strategies.
• To consult with supervisors to agree on the best course of action for reported repairs and faults in accordance with Council policies, timeframes, and recommendations for system improvements.
• To become familiar with Service/Workshop Manuals, drawings, and layouts for newly installed systems and equipment, making recommendations regarding programming, servicing, and preventative maintenance jobs.
• To assist supervisors upon request in estimating the financial and material costs of proposed maintenance works.
• To complete Time Sheets as required.
• To complete and maintain an inspection-ready work diary detailing work schedules, job assignments, plant, locations, and times.
• To order, hire, or procure plant, equipment, and materials with supervisor approval, strictly adhering to Council policies regarding requisitioning, official orders, and payment procedures.
• To provide assistance and advice to tenants regarding the proper day-to-day care, operation, and maintenance of their household fixtures, fittings, plumbing, and heating systems.
• To inspect, test, and monitor mechanical/electrical plant (such as package sewage treatment facilities, water pumping stations, and septic tanks), carrying out minor servicing and repairs, while referring complex faults beyond competency to specialist service agents or supervisors.
• To install, calibrate, and monitor specialised measurement equipment (for detecting rising dampness, condensation, vermin, or pests), recording results and executing remedial works as appropriate.
• To drive Council-provided vehicles safely and responsibly in order to undertake all required daily duties.
• To secure vacant houses against vandalism or unauthorised access, and to execute regular follow-up inspections to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of those security measures.
• To undertake similar building repair and maintenance services for other Council Departments or Agencies as directed by management.
• To co-operate with external agencies and local community groups (such as the HSE or the Gardaí) and maintain proactive, clear communication practices with all internal Council staff.
• To actively participate in all training programmes and co-operate with the roll-out of new technologies, hardware, and software packages required by the Council.
• To perform any other such duties appropriate to the post that may be assigned by management from time to time.

Official Languages (Amendment) Acts, 2021

So that the Local Authority may meet its statutory obligations, a satisfactory competence in the Irish Language is deemed essential for appointment/assignment/re-assignment to Gaeltacht-based offices and offices serving Gaeltacht areas.

Competence is required at a level where one can operate through the medium of Irish and provide services to the public in Irish, as per the provisions of the Official Languages (Amendment) Acts, 2021.

An assessment of this competence may form an integral part of the recruitment and selection process.

3. Qualifications & Requirement of the Post(a) Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

(b) Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical examination carried out by the Council’s Occupational Medical Advisor prior to appointment.

(c) Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed applications:

i. Have a good standard of general education.

ii. Applicant must be able to demonstrate that they have the skills required and experience to deal with and carry out the following type of repairs/renovations in a competent, efficient, and timely manner:

a. Plumbing, heating, sanitary and electrical repairs (N.B. within competence). b. Carpentry and joinery work to fix furnishings. c. Wall, ceiling, and floor finish repairs including painting. d. Door, window, stairways and porch repairs including glazing. e. Repairs to external structures such as walls, steps, fences, drains, service pipes, manholes, kerbs, footpaths, etc. f. Roofing, guttering, facia and soffit repairs. g. Chimney and flue repairs. h. Floor and wall tiling. i. Replacement of floor coverings. j. Installation, servicing, and repairs to heating systems.

iii. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have a satisfactory knowledge of construction technology and building standards required for a domestic dwelling.

iv. Applicants must be able to fully interact with all Council tenants in a professional, competent, and discreet manner and be able and willing to clearly explain and promote the Council's housing maintenance policy and procedure when necessary.

v. Applicants must be able to prepare written reports as required.

vi. Applicants must be able to work on their own initiative but also be part of an effective team.

Please Note:

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.

(d) Desirable Skills

The following is desirable but not essential:

While all applicants must have achieved a satisfactory standard of education, it would be an advantage to submit documentary evidence that:

• You have successfully completed an Apprenticeship or have a FETAC or City & Guilds or OFTEC qualification in a relevant trade.
• You have successfully served time and have experience in several trades.

(e) Core Competencies

• Relevant Knowledge and Experience of Housing Maintenance Works (e.g. Heating Systems, Plumbing, Carpentry, Joinery, etc.)
• Knowledge of Construction Technology, Building Standards, Health, Safety & Welfare
• Planning & Organisational Skills (Organising and Programming of Work, ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines, drive and initiative)
• Interpersonal Skills & Communicating Effectively (Report Writing, dealing with contractors, general public, tenants, Elected Members, etc.)

4. Particulars of the Post(a) General

Donegal County Council proposes to create a panel of qualified candidates for the position of Maintenance Craftsperson from which it will fill any vacancy that may arise.

(b) Probation

The successful candidate shall be required to be on probation for an initial period, as determined by the Council. This period may be extended at the discretion of the Council.

(c) Remuneration

The current national weekly payscale is:

Minimum: €814.16 Maximum: €936.23

(As per Circular EL 04/2026)

Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular.

New entrants will commence on the minimum point of the scale.

(d) Base

The base for the post of Maintenance Craftsperson shall be determined by the Council and will depend on the particular area and service to which the post holder is assigned.

The role of Maintenance Craftsperson may involve some travel, with some trips involving overnight stays and associated costs covered by the appropriate allowances.

(e) Residence

Holders of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

(f) Working Hours / Annual Leave

The normal hours of work will be 39 hours per week.

The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

The Maintenance Craftsperson will be required to enter into arrangements to work on an on-call rota basis and work out of hours, including public holidays.

Annual leave allowance will be a maximum of 25 days for all applicants.

(g) Requirement to Drive

Candidates shall be required:

(a) To possess a full current Category B Driving Licence.

(b) To have their own vehicle available for use while performing their duties, and the associated costs will be covered by the appropriate allowances.

(h) Citizenship Requirements

Eligible candidates must be, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(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 is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a Stamp 4 visa; or

(e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a Stamp 4 visa; or

(f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA Member State or the UK or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa.

(i) Conflicts of Interest

The post holder shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an employee of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of his or her duties as a local authority employee.

(j) Garda Vetting

Candidates for the post of Maintenance Craftsperson may be subject to Garda Vetting.

Please note that if Garda Vetting is required, all candidates must attain a satisfactory Garda Vetting Disclosure prior to appointment; otherwise, the offer of employment will be withdrawn.

In the event where a Garda Vetting Disclosure indicates that there is a case pending, then the appointment cannot proceed at that time and the offer of employment will be withdrawn.

The candidate will, however, retain their position on the panel and will be considered for the next vacancy should one arise within the lifetime of the panel.