Maintenance Officer

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post as at 1st August 2025 is:

€57,325 €58,691 €60,359 €63,491 €65,363 €67,695 €70,034 LSIs

New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies.

Key working relationships

The client groups served by the Maintenance Department include the acute hospital services, primary care services, mental health services, disability services and administration.

Purpose of the post

The overall purpose and objectives of the post of Maintenance Officer will be to assist the Engineering Officer and craft staff through providing a theoretical and practical working knowledge of Mechanical/Electrical Control Systems related to the built environment. The post holder will be a team leader with a proactive approach in meeting deadlines and ensuring the highest customer satisfaction is delivered.

The post holder will work closely with:

Hospital General Manager

Directors of Nursing

Estate Manager

Project Manager(s)

Estates Staff

Principal duties and responsibilities

Management

• Manage and develop all staff in consultation with the Maintenance Manager.

• Be a motivator of staff to ensure corporate objectives are met.

• Make decisions within clearly defined National and HSE policy, in respect of the Maintenance Department.

• Manage and be accountable, within agreed parameters, for the budgetary performance of services for the Maintenance Department.

• Assist in the development and implementation of policies, best practices and efficient procedures in the maintenance area.

• Participate on Project Teams as required.

• Be involved in the supervision of staff.

• Examine time sheets and attendance records and clarify as appropriate, and arrange holiday periods for the staff under his/her control so as to not unnecessarily disrupt the maintenance programme.

• Deal with staff issues and liaise with management regarding any issues requiring referral to other parties.

• Be involved in the handling of disciplinary issues.

• Supervise and direct staff including Maintenance Foreman, Assistant Foreman and Charge hands assigned to him/her.

• Supervise and ensure the maintenance of all machinery, plant and equipment and all gas, electrical and steam installations in buildings owned or occupied by the HSE and all vehicles, but excluding transport fleet under the control of Chief Ambulance Officer.

• Supervise and control outside contractors engaged in minor capital works or in planned maintenance programmes and ensure that insurance requirements and health & safety legislation are fully complied with.

• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of all maintenance contracts in plant, in each location.

Technical

• Report on the status of outstanding reactive work related to building systems and develop overarching planned preventative maintenance works schedules for sites.

• Be involved in the maintenance, repair, upkeep and efficient operation of water and sewage systems serviced on the HSE’s premises.

• Be involved in the supervision of staff assigned and the arrangement of employments as may be necessary in consultation with the Maintenance Manager.

• Arrange and supervise contract work carried out, in line with HSE policy.

• Prepare reports, estimates, specifications and drawings as required for the proper carrying out of work.

• Keep appropriate records, checks and tests as may be required.

• Prepare annual planned maintenance work programmes for all buildings, plant and equipment and prepare estimates, specifications and drawings to implement the work in consultation with the Maintenance Manager, Estates Department, for each administrator.

• Prepare progress reports on all capital and planned maintenance work programmes.

• Act as maintenance representative at design team and project team meetings on major capital projects as requested.

• Keep such books and records as required, and submit for checking. Keep drawings and manuals properly stored and revise when required.

• Be responsible for the ordering, or requisitioning where appropriate, through stores, of materials etc., required in the execution of his/her duties.

• Arrange to be available during off-duty periods in case of emergency or when requested by the Service Managers.

Technical Experience

Applicants must have broad Technical experience of work with special reference to installation, commissioning, operation and front line maintenance of several of the following:

• Heating and cooling systems, LPHW systems, clean air systems, air handling units, hot and cold water services, sewage treatment plants, water treatment services; RO plants, water softener plants, UV systems, catering equipment, refrigeration plants, cook-chill equipment, laundry equipment, medical gases plants, natural gas systems, LPG systems, gas and heavy oil systems.

• Central sterilisation services equipment, endoscopy decontamination equipment.

• Life saving equipment; fire detection systems, emergency lighting systems, passive fire prevention systems, fire hydrants and portable/fixed fire fighting equipment.

• Service Contract management, assess register management. Purchasing, invoicing, procurement, HR/personnel management functions.

• LV and MV electrical distributions systems, motorised ACBs, MV switchgear/transformers, standby generators, isolated power systems, cardiac/body protected rooms, UPS systems.

• Telephones systems; data cabling networks, passenger bed lifts, DC systems. CCTV and access control systems, TV distribution.

• Biomedical equipment; Patient monitors, central stations, telemetry systems, X-Ray equipment, infusion devices, beds, hoists, bedpan washers, trolleys, theatre pendants, theatre lamps.

• Procurement of medical equipment, facility plant and minor refurbishment works.

• Maintenance of roofs, chimneys, rainwater systems, roadways, signage, paths, grounds, garden amenities, trees, boundary fencing.

• Minor refurbishment works and upgrading to wards, offices, residences, roadways, grounds/landscapes and other facilities. Equipment and plant replacement projects.

• Energy Management and Sustainability: The Maintenance/Technical Services Department is also involved in developing energy efficient monitoring systems and implementing energy saving and Sustainability initiatives.

• The Maintenance/Technical Services Department provides support, advice and supervision on new capital/minor capital building projects i.e. community nursing units, primary care units, acute psychiatric units and acute hospital developments.

• Oil burners, Natural Gas burners, L.P.G. and dual fuel burners.

• Building / Energy Management Systems.

• Water treatment systems including water softeners, filtration systems, dosing systems and reverse osmoses plants.

• Major Catering facilities.

• Air Conditioning units, chillers units.

• Clean Air Systems, A.H.U.’s heating / cooling/dehumidification/humidification.

• Cold water distribution systems, water storage cisterns, hot water distribution systems, hot water Calorifiers and plate heat exchangers.

• Foul and Surface Water drainage systems.

• Sanitary Fittings, TRV’s.

• Hydraulic and electric driven passenger / goods lifts.

• Have the ability to identify root fault causes through the use of building BMS/BEMS systems.

• Have the ability to carry our practical troubleshooting works, assisting craft staff to diagnose and repair plant and equipment faults.

• Take a lead role on developing and maintaining all Technical/IT Systems supporting the Maintenance Department.

Education & Training

• Prepare training recommendations to upgrade the skills and applications of the HSE’s maintenance staff and contribute to the training and induction of other categories of staff, as requested.

• Ensure staff participates in training and courses as may be necessary / mandatory, in the performance of their duties.

• Ensure that services adequately meet the needs of the Service on an on-going basis.

Administrative

• Maintain records associated with staff, timesheets, work requisitions, work in progress etc.

• Be involved in the development of safety statements and the administration of files.

• Ensure all policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines in addition to risk assessments, are updated and reviewed as required.

• Write up purchase orders and verify invoices.

• Process approval for payments.

• Ensure value for money in purchasing of materials and awarding of contracts in line with HSE NFR procurement policy.

Health & Safety

• Ensure that all requirements, statutory and recommended, needed to maintain a safe environment, for patients, staff and others are met and the provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 are fully complied with and act as Project Officer Design/Construction stage where required.

• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards.

• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifications and/or experience

Candidates must have at the latest date of application:

Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:

(i) Possess a third level qualification to a minimum standard of Level 7 in Mechanical, Electrical on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) maintained by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)

OR

(ii) Possess the National Craft Certificate issued by FETAC in Mechanical or Electrical

OR

(iii) Possess the Senior Trades Certificate issued by Department of Education in Mechanical or Electrical

OR

(iv) Possess a Level 3 Technical/Trade qualification or equivalent issued by City & Guilds, London.

OR

(v) Have successfully served a Craftsman apprenticeship of not less than four years and qualified as a Craftsman (Electrical/Plumbing/Fitting) as recognised by the Irish Standards Authority ETB (Education and Training Board)

OR

(vi) Possess an equivalent qualification

AND

(vii) Have a minimum 5 years post qualification experience in the management and supervision of staff, in the control and supervision of contract work, in a role relating to the maintenance of large scale and complex buildings and associated engineering services and plant.

And

(a) Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of administrative capacity for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

Health

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Post specific requirements

• Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience as relevant to the role.

Other requirements specific to the post

• Access to transport, as this post will involve frequent travel between sites.

• Candidates may need to respond to emergencies that arise in the hospital as soon as possible.

• Overtime may be required to be performed periodically.

• A HSE mobile phone or bleep device will be required to be carried during working hours.

• Have successfully undertaken or be willing to undertake the Solas Safe Pass Health & Safety Awareness Training Programme, or equivalent approved training programme in line with service need. (Please note if you have not undertaken this training, you will be required to successfully complete this training on taking up the post.)

Additional eligibility requirements

Citizenship requirements

Eligible candidates must be:

(i) EEA, Swiss, or British citizens

OR

(ii) Non-European Economic Area citizens with permission to reside and work in the State

Read Appendix 2 of the Additional Campaign Information for further information on accepted Stamps for Non-EEA citizens resident in the State, including those with refugee status.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Candidates must demonstrate:

Technical / Professional

• Sufficient technical knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post.

• Awareness of health & safety regulations and risk management, as relevant to the role.

• Evidence of computer skills including the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, e-mail and the internet, as relevant to the role.

• Evidence of experience and ability to perform hands-on maintenance repair work on equipment with tools, if required.

Leadership and Team Work

• Leadership and team management skills, including the ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.

Planning and Organisational Skills

• Knowledge and experience of managing budgets.

• Evidence of effective planning and organising skills, including awareness of resource management and the importance of value for money.

• Experience of the development of work schedules for personnel and contractors.

• Experience of the development of planned maintenance programs and method statements.

• Experience in working effectively under pressure.

Communication / Interpersonal skills

• An ability to facilitate and manage groups through the learning process and the ability to give constructive feedback to encourage learning.

• Effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner, written and verbal.

• An ability to receive and implement instructions in an effective and efficient manner.

• An ability to develop and write technical engineering reports.

Problem Solving & Decision Making

• The ability to evaluate information, solve problems and make decisions in a timely manner.

• The ability to work within a multi disciplinary team to resolve problems and implement solutions.

Commitment to Providing a Quality Service

• A commitment to providing a quality service including an awareness and appreciation of the service user such as patients, medical and non-medical staff.

Tenure

The current vacancy available is permanent and whole time.

The post is pensionable. A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage.

Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Amendment Act 2013.

Working week

The standard weekly working hours of attendance for your grade are 35 hours per week. Your normal weekly working hours are 35 hours. Contracted hours that are less than the standard weekly working hours for your grade will be paid pro rata to the full time equivalent.

You are required to work agreed roster/on-call arrangements advised by your Reporting Manager. Your contracted hours are liable to change between the hours of 8.00am and 8.00pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of collective agreements and HSE Circulars.

Annual leave

The annual leave associated with the post will be confirmed at Contracting stage.

Superannuation

This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004.

Age

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act, 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants.

Public Servants not affected by this legislation:

Public servants joining the public service or re-joining the public service with a 26-week break in service, between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.

Public servants, joining the public service or re-joining the public service after a 26 week break, after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.