Porter/ Caretaker

Salary: The gross salary scale applicable to the grade of Caretaker/Porter is €42,555 - €47,935 per annum (rates effective 01/06/2026).

Hours of Work: The appointee is required to work 39 hours per week. Hours of work may be allocated between the hours of 08:00am and 10:00pm Monday to Friday inclusive.

Staff who agree to work weekends (subject to the provisions of the Working Time Act) will be paid overtime at the rate approved from time to time. Individual Universities may continue existing arrangements depending on local requirements. The appointee will be required to work in any of the University Waterford Campus Buildings.

Annual Leave: 22 days annual leave on a full-time annual basis. Annual leave will be in accordance with arrangements authorised by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science from time to time.

Overview of Role & Context

The Estates Office is responsible for the management of the University’s physical assets and the provision of facilities services in a multi-campus environment. The main purpose of the post is to ensure that University facilities are made available in sufficient time, as and when required to meet business needs. This will involve opening lecture halls, laboratories, workshops and offices, securing them after use and carrying out general caretaking duties.

A panel will be formed from the interviews and remain in place for a three-year period. The Porter/Caretaker Panel will provide cover for absences from the existing Estates Office Portering team in addition to any future vacancies which may arise during the lifetime of the panel (3 years). Panel members may be offered contracts on a short-term, temporary, part-time or permanent basis, sometimes at short notice.

Key Responsibilities / Duties

Principal duties of the post include but are not limited to:

• To ensure that all corridors and other public areas are kept free of obstructions.
• To provide assistance to other University staff in the performance of their day-to-day duties.
• To open classrooms, offices, exam centres and other facilities on a daily basis.
• To assist with the transportation and arrangement of furniture and equipment and set up for events as required.
• To secure all University facilities at the end of each working day.
• To deputise for other porters as required.
• To comply with all Health and Safety regulations including, but not limited to, ensuring fire exits are kept clear, evacuation procedures and fire drills.
• To work in buildings on the Waterford campus as required.
• To provide flexibility in duties to be undertaken on special occasions (e.g. Graduation Ceremonies).
• To operate University communications systems. This will include providing an external and internal mail system to University staff.
• To operate telecommunications systems, for example mobile phones, etc.
• To assist with supplies receipt and delivery functions as required.
• To assist with energy consumption initiatives within SETU.
• To co-operate with University security systems.
• To undertake such other duties as the President, Estates Manager, Senior Technical Officer or other authorised officer may assign from time to time.

Academic Qualifications

• Leaving Certificate, having obtained at least Grade D3 in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination (Higher, Ordinary or Vocational programmes) or equivalent.

Or

• Have passed an examination at the appropriate level within the QQI qualifications framework which can be assessed as being comparable to Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent or higher.

Or

• Have appropriate relevant experience which encompasses equivalent skills and expertise.

Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience of working in a people-centred/public-facing role, i.e. Hospitality, Education or Healthcare environment.
• Good organisational skills.

Specific Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrates a flexible approach to work.

I.T. Skills

• Ability to use Microsoft Word, email, etc.

Specific Personal Qualities

• Pleasant, outgoing and helpful.
• Ability to communicate with a diverse range of people.
• Works well on own initiative.
• Proactive approach.
• Excellent timekeeping.