School Warden

School Wardens make a valuable contribution to the community on behalf of Galway City Council. The Council currently has over twenty School Wardens positions across the City serving routes to primary schools, which are manned Monday to Friday during school term to assist children crossing at the beginning and end of the school day. This requires the Warden to possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and an ability to work on their own initiative, in an independent environment and without constant supervision.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The School Warden shall perform under the direction and control of the appropriate Supervisor/s such duties, and at such locations, as may be assigned to him/her from time to time, which will include:

·       Reporting for duty promptly at the specified times and locations assigned, under the direction of the Supervisor.

·       Guiding school children across the road. Depending on the location of the school, the Warden may be required to stop traffic progressing from a number of directions.

·       Wearing the official uniform supplied including coat, hat etc. at all times.

·       Carrying of the official sign at all times.

·       Reporting of any incidents (on prescribed form) of any nature which occur during the course of their duties.

·       Notifying the Supervisor, without delay, should he or she be unable to report for duty.

·       Attending induction training and ongoing training as required.

·       Complying fully with all health and safety regulations.

 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

1.     Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2.     Health

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

 

3.     Citizenship:

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

                 i.          A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

               ii.          A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK), or

             iii.          A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons, or

             iv.          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

               v.          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

             vi.          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

4.     Education, Training, Experience, etc.

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

1)    Candidates must have reached a standard of education sufficient to enable them to carry out the duties assigned to satisfactorily.

2)    Candidates should possess satisfactory knowledge/experience of road safety.

 

Preferably the successful candidate will demonstrate and will be required as part of their duties to possess:

·       Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

·       Punctuality at all times.

·       Flexibility in terms of working hours and availability to work.

·       Capability of assimilating the training, which shall be necessary for the performance of their duty.

·       Ability to use initiative and judgement.

·       Satisfactory knowledge of Health & Safety matters.

 

*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.

Each candidate must include on the application form details of all qualifications obtained by them. The invitation to attend for Interview is not to be regarded as an admission that you possess the prescribed qualifications and/or requirements for this post or are you qualified by law to hold the post. Documentary proof will be required before appointment where you claim credit for particular qualification, experience, etc.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

Key Competencies for the post are given in the table below. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form and at interview of competence under each of these headings.

·       Relevant Experience – Range & Depth (including Knowledge of Health & Safety, Road Safety & Understanding of the Role of School Warden)

·       Communication & Interpersonal Skills (to include Customer Service Experience)

·       Flexibility & Judgement

 

PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Type of Post

Future relevant permanent, temporary posts or casual vacancies will be filled from the panel formed. The post(s) will be part-time and pensionable.

Remuneration

(Min) €18.96 to (Max) €21.18 gross per hour.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Candidates should note that the starting salary is not subject to negotiation. Entry into the pay scale above the minimum point will only apply to existing public servants in the context of the relevant Government Pay Circulars. Candidates who are not covered by such Circulars will enter the pay scale at the minimum point i.e. €18.96.

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to and received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

Probation

(a)       there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation,

(b)       such period shall be 12 months but, the Chief Executive may at their discretion extend such period,

(c)       such persons shall cease to hold the position at end of the period of probation unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

 

Hours of Duty

The permanent part-time School Warden will be required to work 15 hours per week, consisting of three sessions per day for a five-day week during the school term. The temporary part-time School Warden will be assigned hours by the Supervisor not exceeding the permanent part-time School Warden hours outlined above.

The successful candidate will be required to log their hours of work in accordance with the requirements of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and will be required to co-operate with the use of technologies to record such hours.

Annual Leave

The Annual leave entitlement will be at 8% of the total number of days worked for each school year.

Residence

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

Work Permit

All non-EU/EEA 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 Galway City Council. 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 Galway City Council and your employment will cease with immediate effect.

Garda Vetting

The successful applicant will be required to undergo Garda Vetting prior to appointment.

Superannuation Contribution

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority, who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to 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 the State Pension Contributory).

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the 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.

Widows & Orphans/ Spouses & Children’s Scheme

All persons who become pensionable officers of a local Authority are required, in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme, 1986, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of State Pension contributory) in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

New Entrants From 1st January 2013 – Single Public Services Pension Scheme

FOR NEW ENTRANTS recruited on or after 1st January, 2013 as well as former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks. The Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 applies to your employment. Members of this Scheme are required in respect of superannuation to contribute at the rate of 3% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of State Pension contributory) and you are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution. Under this scheme the mandatory retirement age is 70 years.

 

Retirement Age

Retirement age will be determined by any previous Public Sector Service (if any) and will be advised on appointment.

 

 

Former Public Service Employees

Eligibility to compete may be affected where applicants were formerly employed by the Irish Public Service and previously availed of an Irish Public Service Scheme including:

·       Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER)

·       Department of Health and Children Circular (7/2010)

·       Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants

 

Applicants should ensure that they are not precluded from re-engagement in the Irish Public Service under the terms of such Schemes. This is a non-exhaustive list and any queries should be directed to the applicant’s former Irish Public Service Employer in the first instance. 

 

Declaration

Applicants will be required to declare whether they have previously availed of a public service scheme of incentivised early retirement and/or the collective agreement outlined above. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Public Service employment and/or where they have received a payment-in-lieu in respect of service in any Public Service employment.

 

Offer of Appointment

Galway City Council shall require persons to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month from the date on which the offer is made. If they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, the Council shall not appoint them.

 

All appointments are subject to receipt of satisfactory references and candidates may be required to produce documentary evidence of qualifications or experience claimed in their applications.