General Services Supervisor

The Position Meath County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent and fixed-term contract vacancies for the position of General Services Supervisor shall be drawn. A General Services Supervisor may be assigned to any of the six Municipal Districts within the county or other section of the Council, as required.

Purpose, Duties and Responsibilities The General Services Supervisor shall arrange, under the direction of their Line Manager, the efficient execution of all works in their area of charge and discharge all other duties related to their work including those set out hereunder: • To supervise and direct operatives in their area and all works in their charge, and and to organise adequate supplies of materials, tools and equipment for the works in hand. • To supervise the conditions on all works, maintenance, construction, depots, and chipping dumps under the control of Meath County Council so as to ensure that they are properly and safely operated in accordance with the relevant legislation. • To supervise the performance of all machinery and plant in their area and to ensure that all plant are properly and safely operated and gainfully employed. • To be responsible for the efficiency of works in their area and to carry out all instructions and furnish any reports, diaries, records or other particulars prescribed by their Line Manager. • To be responsible for compliance with all relevant Health & Safety legislation in relation to their work area and to ensure that their staff are trained, informed and monitored in relation to same. • To respond to reasonable requests for assistance by other bodies/members of the public and to carry out duties outside normal working hours, as required. • To report immediately, the circumstances of any inefficiency or unsatisfactory work or service in their charge and to carry out the direction consequent on such reports. • To carry out early and late inspections of teams, in accordance with general direction, and to attend on the roads or on works during the normal working hours of the Council’s employees. • To travel as required and inspect public roads in their area and to take all necessary steps for keeping them in good repair at all times, subject to the general direction of their Line Manager. • To monitor and record start and finish times and prepare pay-sheets, and to make them available in a timely manner for examination and approval. • To see that all road signs, other signs, public lights, street furniture, barriers and litter bins or other notices in their area are maintained in a proper condition and to report vandalism of such items. • To keep records of all work done including materials produced, supplied and used, and quantities of work done. To check measurement of loads etc., so as to verify that they contain the amounts specified. They should maintain a personal daily diary, which can be inspected at any time. This diary may be electronic or manual. This diary to include detailed accounts of incidents, which could lead to litigation by others. • To prepare requisitions for articles or materials required for works in their area, and to complete all forms required in connection with supply of such articles or materials. • To be responsible for the custody of all maintenance and construction materials, tools and equipment in their area, and for the keeping of records necessary in relation thereto. • To liaise with and supervise work carried out by contractors/sub-contractors engaged by Meath County Council. • To prepare data necessary to enable their Line Manager to work out daily or fortnightly costings, or other necessary analysis of expenditure in relation to work done as required. • To furnish all reports and returns in connection with works, accidents, weather events and sundry matter, which may be required from time to time. • To report to their Line Manager on all development work, tree-cutting or other activities which come into the scope of the law relating to local authorities. • To serve notices on landowners in connection with hedge cutting, spillages, dangerous structures and the cleaning of drains, and other relevant statutory notices. To give evidence in Court when required in connection with these matters, or any other matters, which are the concern of Meath County Council. • To see that all public pumps in their area are maintained in good working order and condition and to report immediately any pumps requiring attention. • To keep their Line Manager advised on all matters which may be of importance in the interest of the County Council and liaise with other sections of the Council on works and emergencies. • The holder of the post will be required to avail of modern communications as directed. • To deal with members of the public in a courteous, prompt and efficient manner and to keep their Line Manager informed of such dealing. • To carry out under the direction of their Line Manager such inspection as are required under the Planning Acts, Building Control Acts, Roads Act, Litter and Housing Acts and other relevant Acts. To use as directed and upon receipt of appropriate training information technology equipment including personal computers and hand-held technologies (e.g. tablets, devices, etc.). • To act, if directed, as an Authorised Officer of the Council under the Litter Pollution, Waste Management Acts and other relevant Acts where required. • To participate as required, in evaluation of their staff and appraisal by their Line Manager. To participate in training provided by Meath County Council and to facilitate training of his/her staff. • To deliver briefings to their staff on safety documentation, tool box talks, etc. • To participate fully in any initiatives aimed at increasing customer satisfaction/quality of service to the community. • To respond to, and co-ordinate, emergency activities outside normal working hours. • To carry out any other instructions that may be given by their Line Manager from time to time. Undertake those duties as assigned to them by their Line Manager.

Qualifications for the Post Character Each candidate must be of good character.

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.

Education and Experience The candidate should have a standard of education that would enable them to efficiently perform their duties, and must be capable of making satisfactory reports (including written reports) on matters pertaining to the duties of the post.

Candidates must hold a full Category B Driving Licence* *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. Desirable Experience and Knowledge Candidates should be competent and have such training or experience as shall be considered acceptable by the Council to enable the person appointed to perform the duties of the post. In particular candidates should have satisfactory knowledge and experience of the following matters or the necessary aptitude to acquire this knowledge within a reasonable period. 1. Satisfactory knowledge of civil engineering works and construction techniques including plumbing, pipe-laying, block-laying, water and drainage systems, together with a working knowledge of maintenance and repairs of housing, roads, sewers, open spaces and other services for which Meath County Council has responsibility; 2. Supervisory skills so as to be in a position to direct, manage and control a team of staff. 3. Ability to work on own initiative and judgement; 4. Experience in the use of computers and relevant information technology. Ability to learn the use of particular software applications in relation to producing traffic management plans, works plans, carrying out and recording inspections. 5. Holding a clean, current Class C driving licence, while not essential would be an advantage.

Miscellaneous Provisions Salary Salary scale: €867.54 - €1,025.18 per week (EL 02/24). Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance. Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

Hours of Work The normal working hours will be 39 hours per week. Duties may require the successful applicant to work outside of normal working hours i.e. attendance at evening/weekend, training duties etc. as part of normal working hours without additional remuneration. All hours worked will be subject to the provision of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 as amended. You may be required to complete a time-sheet in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Start Date Meath County Council shall require a person to whom an offer of employment is made to take up an appointment within a reasonable period of time, usually two months from date of offer, to meet the organisational requirements of the Council. Meath County Council reserves the right to withdraw its offer in the event that an appointment is not taken up within such a period.

Leave 25 days per annum

Sick Leave The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

Probation The following provisions will apply: (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 9 months but the Chief Executive may at his or her 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.

Travel It is necessary that holders of the post should hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall be required to drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Local Authority Travel and Subsistence Policy. Meath County Council, as employer, must be indemnified on your insurance policy. If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately. Residence The person holding the office must reside in, or at an address convenient to performing the role/function as approved by the Chief Executive.

Safety and Welfare The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Meath County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. He/she shall familiarise him/herself with the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety, clothing and equipment.

Training It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.

Garda Vetting Successful candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting in advance of appointment to the position.

Outside Employment The officer may not engage in private practice, or be connected with any outside business, which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

Superannuation Contribution Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment. A person who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. 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 dependant or qualified children). A person paying Class A rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme. A person who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of his/her superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration. A person paying Class D rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority depending on their existing scheme, may be a member of a dependent scheme i.e. either the Local Government (Widows & Orphans Contributory Pension) Scheme or the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme and if a member of either scheme will be required in respect of the to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme. Officers are admitted to the Superannuation Scheme in accordance with the terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Act, 1998 and the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, with effect from date of appointment. This scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement and death gratuities. In order for a new entrant to the scheme to qualify for a pension, he/she must have served a minimum of two years employment in a local authority. For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, effective from 1st January 2013, superannuation contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sum will be based on career-average pensionable remuneration; pensions will be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contributory. Pension Arrangements and Retirement Age Candidates will be informed of their superannuation position at time an offer of appointment is being made.

Communications Meath County Council will contact you when necessary at each stage of the competition by email. It is strongly recommended that you only submit one email address for all correspondence in relation to this competition. It is important to note that the email address you provide when applying must be one that you can access at all times. The onus is on the applicant to inform the Human Resources Department of any change in email address throughout the recruitment and selection campaign. This can be done by emailing recruit@meathcoco.ie. The onus is also on each applicant to ensure that s/he is in receipt of all communication from Meath County Council. Meath County Council does not accept responsibility for communications not accessed or received by an applicant.