Technician Grade 1

THE POSITION:

Waterford City and County Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Technician Grade 1. Waterford City & County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post of Technician Grade 1 from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. This panel will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period of 12 months at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

The purpose of the position of Technician Grade 1 is to provide, under the direction and supervision of the relevant engineering/cognate grade or other appropriate officer, such as draughting, technical and ancillary services of an advisory, supervisory or executive nature in all fields of Local Authority work including engineering, architectural, technological, planning and environmental services, including the supervision and control of staff, as may be required by a local authority.

Duties and Responsibilities

The actual duties will vary depending on assignment, but would for example include the following:

·       Responsibility for the execution of inspections, surveys, draughting and reporting as required

·       Responsibility and supervision of staff as required

·       Responsible for coordinating and managing site staff

·       The research, collection and collating of reasonably complex material

·       Preparation of reports and submissions

·       Acting for a Technician of a higher rank during his/her absence or as required to do so

·       Providing technical support to Engineers in the relevant section

·       Preparation of detailed design drawings for contract documents using Auto- Cad

·       Competence and Experience in use of GIS software

·       Good experience in site surveying and mapping

·       Carry out detail site survey and snagging works

·       Undertaking inspection and report

·       Preparing documentation for the public procurement and tendering of projects as well as all documentation required under current Health and Safety legislation

·       Preparation of Health and Safety documentation for all site works

·       Planning for, and supervision of, maintenance/construction works

·       Producing presentation work for Council and Public display

·       Be a good communicator and have good report writing skills

·       Any other activities as assigned by Line Manager/Supervisor

The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time, without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to, an appropriate Officer or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time by the Council.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for the position of Technician Grade 1 shall be as set out hereunder.

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.               Education, Training, Experience, etc.

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

(a) (i) have passed the N.C.E.A./H.E.T.A.C National Certificate Final Examination in Civil Engineering, or

Geo-surveying, or Construction Studies, or

Construction Studies in Building Maintenance, or Construction Studies in Architectural Graphics,

Or

Hold an equivalent qualification

And

(ii) have at least three years satisfactory experience after attaining the qualification concerned

Or

(a) (i) have, satisfactory relevant experience, in a technician post at Grade II level, or in an analogous post under a local authority or health board in the State,

And

(ii) have at least three years satisfactory relevant experience in a technician post at Grade II or in an analogous office,

Or

(b) have satisfactory service, in a technician post at Grade I or higher level in an analogous post under a local authority or health board in the State,

And

It is desirable but not essential that the Candidates possess CAD, AutoCad competency/experience,

And

Possess adequate training or experience relating to control and supervision of staff.

Experience

Each candidate must satisfy the local authority that he/she has had adequate experience of a type which would render him/her suitable to perform satisfactorily the duties of the office for which he/she is a candidate.

4. Age

Each candidate must be under 70 years of age on the latest date for receipt of completed Application Forms for the office if they are deemed not to be new entrants to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.

However, the age restriction of 70 years does not apply to "new entrants" to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.

Current Salary Scale: €49,260 - €58,368 (2nd LSI)

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The employee shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to or received by him/her by virtue of his/her employment or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 03/2025, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point (currently €49,260).

Remuneration is paid fortnightly directly to the employee’s nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g. P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

Under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013, the working hours for newly appointed/promoted staff are 37 hours per week. All posts will be offered on the basis of the candidate working whole time.

Where a person who is not already a permanent officer of Waterford City & County Council is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:-

(a)             there shall be a period after such appointment takes effect, during which such person shall hold office on probation;

(b)             such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may, at his or her discretion extend such a period;

(c)              such a person shall cease to hold office 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.

The relevant Superannuation Scheme will apply. The provisions of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 may apply.

Persons who become pensionable officers who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority as follows:

1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

Persons who become pensionable officers who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

The provisions of the Spouses and Children’s/Widows and Orphans Contributory Pension Scheme will continue to apply.

New entrants will be admitted to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme with effect from the date of appointment. The scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement gratuity, death gratuity and survivors benefits. To qualify for a pension the successful candidate must have served a minimum of two years employment in a Local Authority.

There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.

Anyone who is not a new entrant to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years or as determined in accordance with Department Circulars and in line with Government Policy.

The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.

The Council may refer staff to a medical advisor at any time to determine fitness for carrying out the duties to which they have been assigned.

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees, under that Scheme, are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

The normal working hours are 35 hours per week. Flexible working arrangements apply. All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Waterford City & County Council requires employees to record their hours using the CORE/TDS Clocking system.

The annual leave entitlement for the grade is 30 days per annum.

The Chief Executive of Waterford City & County Council retains autonomy with regard to office closures, (e.g. Christmas Office Closure); any days arising from such closure will be reserved from the employee’s annual leave entitlement. Proposed office closure days will be reviewed and advised to all employees each year.

The successful candidate shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed, or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Waterford City & County Council employees may on occasion be required to use their car on official business. In such situations the employee must hold a current clean driver’s licence and have available adequate means of transport.

It is the responsibility of the employee to arrange the appropriate car insurance for business use and to indemnify Waterford City & County Council with the indemnity specified on the insurance certificate under the heading “Persons or classes of person who are covered”. Documentation to confirm the appropriate insurance cover will be required to be supplied to the Council on an annual basis.

Employees are to be required to adhere to all current and future Waterford City & County Council codes of practice including Code of Conduct of Employees and all current and future organisational policies including, but not limited to Health and Safety, Communications, Data Protection, Equality, Staff Mobility, Attendance Management and Use of Electronic Equipment. A full list of relevant policies is contained on the council Intranet.

Employees are required to attend and participate fully in training programmes as may be decided by the Council from time to time and to apply their learning in the course of their daily working activities.

Waterford City & County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future.

The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

Waterford City & County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month (subject to notice requirements) and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Waterford City & County Council shall not appoint them.

Technician Grade 1 report directly to the appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Waterford City & County Council as the Chief Executive, Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose.

A system of regular appraisal (PMDS) will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Waterford City & County Council as an Employer is obliged to ensure, in so far as it is reasonably practicable the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all of its employees. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the County Council has a legal duty to exercise all due care and take all protective and preventative measures to protect the Safety, Health and Welfare of its employees.

All employees also have a legal obligation under Safety and Health legislation to co-operate with management and not engage in any improper conduct or behaviour or do anything, which would place themselves or others at risk.

Employees must not be under the influence of an intoxicant at the place of work. Employees must comply with all Safety and Health rules and regulations and attend all required Safety and Health Training.

Waterford City & County Council operates under OHSAS 18001 accreditation and will be seeking to adopt ISO 45001 in due course. All employees are required to cooperate with the implementation of any and all measures necessary to achieve same.