Pool Lifeguard/Swim Teacher

The Role

Mayo County Council is currently setting up a panel for the position of Pool Lifeguard/Swim Teacher.

Qualifications1.    Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2.    Health

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

3.    Education, Training, Experience

Each Candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

1.     Hold Irish Water Safety Pool Lifeguard Level 2 Award or equivalent, as recognised by the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS).

AND either 2, 3 or 4

2.     Swim Ireland Level 1 Assistant Swim Teacher

3.     Irish Water Safety Assistant Swim Teacher

4.     Equivalent qualification

In the event that an offer of employment is made, the candidate will be required to submit original copies of all relevant Education Qualifications to meet the requirements of Section 3 - Education, Training, Experience

 

4.    Required Documents

Candidates MUST upload the following documents in the ATTACHMENTS section of the application portal.

a)     Full unendorsed Category B Driving Licence (front & back) or other Photo ID if licence not held

b)     Certificates for all declared qualifications – Secondary School, University, College etc

c)      Translations of any documents which are not in English or Irish

d)     For any qualifications not awarded in the Republic of Ireland, an accompanying Comparability Statement from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish each qualification's comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.

A link to search your qualification and download a pdf determination can be found here - Qualifications Search QQI

 

Please note, Curriculum Vitae are not accepted and should not be uploaded.

5.    Citizenship

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, 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 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.

Particulars of the Post

 

1.    Position

A panel will be formed from qualified candidates from which permanent and temporary appointments may be made as required to carry out the duties of Lifeguard/Swimming Teacher. Appointments may be offered on either a whole-time or part-time basis, depending on operational requirements.

Candidates will be requested to indicate their preferred work location:

☐ Castlebar ☐ Ballina ☐ Either Location

The hours of work will be arranged to suit the efficient operation of the pool. Hours of work will be advised on a week-by-week basis.

Successful candidates must attend and participate in all mandatory training, induction programmes, refresher courses and any other training provided or required by Mayo County Council, whether delivered internally or externally.

2. The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the position shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies (other than inclusive salary) payable to or received by such holder by virtue of the position or in respect of services, which are required by or under any enactment to perform.

SALARY SCALE:

€700.77 - €715.17 - €758.77 - €762.35 - €765.77 - €767.70 - €769.68 - €771.62 - €773.54 - €775.58 - €777.60 - €779.72 - €781.82 - €782.62. The starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

3. The duties of the post are to give to the local authority, and 

a)     such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts 2001 and 2014, is Chief Executive, and

b)     to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority, or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph under the general direction and supervision of the Chief Executive or such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an executive, administrative or management nature as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to him / her by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The post holder will, if required, act for an employee of a higher level if qualified to do so.

The following are among the principal duties envisaged:

1.     Carry out teaching duties including lessons.

2.     Be required to work weekends and bank holidays.

3.     Perform such duties appropriate to your grade as may from time to time be assigned to you in relation to your employment and as may be appropriate to any particular function of any local authority for which the manager is responsible and carry out such instructions as may be given in relation to the performance of duties.

4.     Implement all rules and regulations agreed by the Council.

5.     Ensure constant surveillance over users of the pool while in the water and that adequate means are available at all times for the rescue and resuscitation of persons who get into difficulties.

6.     Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene at the pool and its facilities.

7.     Ensure that all plant and equipment at the pool is working satisfactorily and that any defect is immediately reported to the Assistant Swimming Pool Manager - Swimming Pool Manager or Officer of Mayo County Council.

8.     Ensure control and discipline of users of the pool and its facilities and the safety of users.

9.     Meeting compliance requirements and deadlines.

10.  Administration and report writing.

11.  Working under pressure and managing conflict.

12.  Carry out such duties as may be assigned by the Swimming Pool Manager, Assistant Pool Manager or Officer of the Council from time to time.

 

The above 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.

 

4.    Competencies

Candidates for the post must demonstrate that they have competency and skills in the following areas. Application forms should include one practical example (300 words max per example) which demonstrates these competencies. Interviews will be competency based and marks will be awarded under these skills sets.

 

 

Interpersonal Communication

·       Delivering a message in a clear and coherent fashion

• Ability to keep calm under pressure.
• Portraying a positive customer service ethos at all times.
• Establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicating effectively - including administration and report writing.
• Dealing with difficult customers.

Team Work

·       Positively contributing to teams and workgroups

• Understanding the importance of good group dynamics.
• Ability to listen and take instructions.
• Flexibility and willingness to embrace change.
• Working under pressure and managing conflict.

 

 

Personal Effectiveness

·       Resilience and Personal Well-Being.

• Integrity - Ethics and Public Service Values.
• Personal Motivation and Initiative.

 

Candidates will also be assessed at interview on the basis of how they demonstrate their Relevant Knowledge and Experience.

Specialist Knowledge,

 Expertise and Self Development

• Knowledge and understanding of the role of Pool Lifeguard/Swim Teacher.
• Range and depth of experience relevant to the post.
• Specialist knowledge, expertise in previous & current working environment.
• Understanding of local government legislation, local government policy.

·       A clear understanding of Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.

5.    Residence

Holders of the position shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

6.    Annual Leave

Annual leave entitlement is 25 days per year.

7.    Travel

Mayo County Council reserves the right to provide a vehicle to enable you to carry out your duties. The provision of a vehicle will be at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

8.    Shortlisting

Normally the number of applications received for a position exceeds that required to fill existing and future vacancies to the position. While candidates may meet the eligibility requirements of the competition, if the numbers applying for the position are such that it would not be practical to interview everyone, Mayo County Council may decide that a number only will be called to interview. A shortlisting process will apply whereby a group of applicants will be selected for interview who, based on an examination of the documents provided by each applicant, appear to be the most suitable for the position.

This is not to suggest that other candidates are necessarily unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the job, rather that there are some candidates who are, prima facie, better qualified and/or have more relevant experience.

In the event of a shortlisting exercise being employed, the shortlisting process can take the form of:-

·       Shortlisting of candidates on the basis of information contained in their application form (It is therefore in the interests of each candidate to provide a detailed and accurate account of his/her qualifications/ experience on the application form).

·       Other written, oral or practical tests appropriate to the position.

·       Preliminary interviews to reduce the number of candidates to a more manageable number for the final Interview Board or

·       Preliminary interviews to determine qualified candidates, after which a selected number of the qualified candidates are called back for final interview.

9.    Right to Information and Review

Mayo County Council is committed to offering meaningful feedback to candidates who request it, and to dealing with such requests in a timely and efficient manner, in accordance with Mayo County Council Interview and Selection Review Procedure. Please see our website for full details of procedure www.mayo.ie/careers/current-vacancies.

10.Appointment

Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the Local Authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the position and that they are otherwise suitable for employment may within the life of the panel be employed as relevant vacancies arise. The life of the panel will be one year from the date of its establishment.

The local authority 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 he/she fails to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint him/her.

11.References and documentary evidence

Each candidate will be required to submit as references the names and addresses of two responsible persons to whom they are well known but not related. Candidates will be required to submit documentary evidence to the Local Authority in support of their application.

12.Superannuation

As an employee of Mayo County Council, you will be assessed in terms of which Pension Scheme is applicable to you. You will become a member and contribute to the relevant scheme as outlined below:

1)     Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration.

2)     Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority under the Local Government (superannuation) (consolidation) scheme, 1998 and who are liable to pay class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of State Pension Contributory payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children).

3)     Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority under the Local Government (superannuation) (consolidation) scheme, 1998 and who are liable to pay class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority under the Local Government (superannuation) (consolidation) scheme, 1998 may be required to contribute to the Dependants Pension Scheme.

In order, to qualify for a pension, they must have served a minimum of two years (24 months) employment in an approved public body.

13.Retirement Age

CLASS A PRSI

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012:

The compulsory retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years. Minimum pension age of 66 years, rising to 67 years and 68 years in line with State Pension age changes, is applicable.

Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004:

There is no mandatory retirement age for ‘New Entrants’ (from 1st April, 2004 and before January 2013) to the Public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004. The minimum age at which a person may retire is 65. As a ‘New Entrant’ to the public service, under the terms of this legislation, new entrants will not be required to retire on grounds of age.

Anyone who is not a New Entrant to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (miscellaneous provisions) Act 2004, who has joined before 1st April 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 as per CLS2/2019 but can retire from 60 years of age.

CLASS D PRSI

 Minimum retirement age will be 60 years with compulsory retirement age of 70 years.

14.Base

Assignment of base shall be at the absolute discretion of Mayo County Council.

15.Probation

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a Local Authority is employed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a)             there shall be a period after such employment takes effect during which such person shall hold such position on probation.

(b)             such period shall be for six months, but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period.

(c)             such person will cease to hold such position at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person 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 may be assessment(s) during the probationary period.

16.Medicals

For the purpose, of satisfying the requirements as to health it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo at their expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the Local Authority. On taking up appointment the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to candidates.

17.Garda Vetting

Offer of employment may be subject to a Garda vetting process. Failure to pass Garda vetting will result in employment being terminated with immediate effect.

18.Canvassing Will Disqualify

Any attempt by a candidate (or by any persons acting on their behalf) to canvass or other otherwise influence any officer of the Council (or persons nominated by it to interview or examine applicants) in the candidates’ favour either directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise, will automatically disqualify the applicant for consideration for the position.

19.General Data Protection Regulation

Mayo County Council is committed to protecting your personal data and we comply with our obligations under the Data Protection Acts, 1988 – 2018, and the General Data Protection Regulation.

 

Basis for Processing your Personal Information

The basis for processing your personal data is to process your application for the position you have applied for with Mayo County Council under the Terms of the Employment (Information) Act 1994 and Human Resources Department policies and procedures.

When your application form is received, we create a computer record in your name, which contains much of the personal information you have supplied on our application form. This personal record is used solely in processing your candidature. You are entitled to obtain at any time, a copy of information about you, which is kept on record.

 

Sharing of Information

Outside of the HR recruitment team, the information provided in your application form will only be shared for progressing the competition for which you have applied for, with a designated shortlisting and/or interview board.

If, following the competition, you are deemed a qualified candidate and offered a position, the information provided in your application form will form part of your Personnel File.

Furthermore, should you be offered a position and subsequently confirm your interest in the position, the information provided on your application form will be used to request service record and employment references.

 

Storage Period

Your application will be retained for two years from the date of the competition. Applications that are not progressed to interview stage will be destroyed.