Candidate Information Booklet

POST OF WATERWORKS CARETAKER GRADE V

Closing Date: 4.00 p.m. Tuesday, 10th December 2019

Roscommon County Council is committed to a policy of equal opportunity.

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ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCILPOSITION OF WATERWORKS CARETAKER

GRADE V

QUALIFICATIONS

1. CHARACTER:

Each candidate must 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, ETC:

Candidates shall

(1) Have a good general education.

(2) Have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in the operation, installation and maintenance of water schemes or similar mechanical process plants.

(3) Have capability to complete and compute time sheets and furnish accurate returns and records of work done, materials used and in stock, inventory of tools and any other records/returns/repairs required.

(4) Have the “Safe Pass” qualification.

(5) Have a full driving licence, free from endorsement, in respect of Category “B” and “BE” vehicles or equivalent to old Class “C” vehicles.

(6) Candidates shall demonstrate their ability to deal efficiently and effectively with the tasks of the appointment.

(7) Have good communication/interpersonal skills.

It is desirable that the successful candidate will possess a Qualification in Water/Wastewater Plant Operations.

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ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCILPOSITION OF WATERWORKS CARETAKER –

GRADE V

PARTICULARS

Roscommon County Council wishes to form a Waterworks Caretaker Grade V panel to fill existing and future vacancies in the Water Services Department. Waterworks Caretakers Grade V will generally be expected to manage a Treatment Plant and Network maintenance.

Prospective Candidates should satisfy themselves that they meet the qualifying criteria for the particular post.

1. Candidates shall have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in the operation, installation and maintenance of water schemes or similar mechanical process plants. Please see attached schedule setting out duties for the post.

The candidate appointed to the post of Water Caretaker Grade V will work a thirty- nine hour week with a seven-day commitment. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of attendance at work from time to time at its discretion including specifying core hours of attendance.

The hours of work will necessitate attendance during Saturdays and Sundays and Bank Holidays and hours outside those traditionally recognised as normal office hours.

2. The office is whole time and pensionable. Appointments may be permanent and temporary.

3. PROBATION: Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply;

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

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

(c) such persons shall 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 persons is satisfactory.

4. Remuneration: Grade V €678.28 - €738.88 per week.

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5. Garda Vetting/Child Safeguarding

Successful candidates may be subject to the Garda Vetting and Child Safeguarding Procedures.

6. HealthFor the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo, at his 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 the candidate.

7. Annual LeaveGranting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangement for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997. Annual leave entitlement will be 34 days per annum (inclusive of Public Holidays).

8. Working HoursThe successful candidate’s normal hours of work shall be 39 hours per week with a 7-day commitment. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

9. TransportSuccessful Candidates may be required to use a Council vehicle in the course of your official duties. A GPS tracking system will be installed in the vehicle for a number of reasons, including Health and Safety, Lone Working, Security, Greater Efficiencies, Compliance with Organisation of Working Time Act/Regulations, Fleet Management, Parameter Inputs and Claims. Employees shall be obliged to comply with all Roscommon County Council’s protocols/policies pertaining to GPS tracking systems.

10. RecruitmentSelection shall be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of the Local Authority.

A panel may be formed on the basis of such interview. Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the Local Authority that they possess the qualifications declared and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may within the life of the panel be appointed as appropriate vacancies arise.

Applicants may be short-listed on the basis of information supplied on the Application Form and supporting documentation submitted, and only candidates short-listed will be called for interview. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that all supporting documents are submitted with the completed application form prior to the competition closing date.

11. Acceptance of OfferThe Local Authority shall require persons, to whom an appointment is offered, to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month and if they fail 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 them.

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12. Receipt of Application FormsAny claim in relation to the late receipt of application forms will not be entertained unless such claim is supported by a certificate of evidence of postage from the appropriate postal authority.

13. Canvassing Any attempt by a candidate, or by any person(s) acting at the candidate’s instigation, directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise influence in the candidate’s favour, any member of the staff of the County Council or person nominated by the County Council to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the candidate for the position being sought.

14. Roscommon County Council is an equal opportunities employer.

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ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCILPOSITION OF WATERWORKS CARETAKER - GRADE V

DUTIES

1. The Caretaker shall be responsible for the efficient operation and maintenance of the entire scheme under his/her control, for any extensions to the scheme and for any Group Schemes which the Council may take in charge. He/She shall carry out such instructions as shall be issued to him/her concerning the operation of the scheme by the Senior Engineer, or by any other person nominated by the Senior Engineer for this purpose.

2. He/she shall familiarise himself/herself with all the technical aspects of the schemes under his/her control. In particular, he/she must become thoroughly familiar with the location of all the water mains and sewers, the types and sizes of same, and the position of all manholes, valves, meters, fire-hydrants and all other fittings throughout the entire scheme.

3. He/she shall ensure that all complaints and reports of deficiencies and faults are promptly and efficiently acted upon. In particular, complaints received on a hand-held unit from Irish Water’s Complaints System shall be addressed and closed out in accordance with the protocols agreed under the Service Level Agreement (SLA) and the Annual Service Plan (ASP).

4. He/she shall carry out an inspection of the entire scheme once a month, or as otherwise directed. The inspection shall include walking the route of the network and examination for breakages, defects or leaks in the mains services and all fittings. It shall involve the scouring out of the entire water supply system through all scour valves and hydrants. He/she shall ensure that chambers for all valves and fittings are free of water, stones, mud or other deleterious matter which prevent access to, or the proper functioning of these valves and fittings. He/she shall check all marker posts and indicator plates and ensure that they are clearly visible and in good condition.

5. In addition to the monthly inspection of the scheme and attention to emergencies and supervision of new connections, he/she shall carry out such other journeys as directed from time to time.

6. Waterworks Caretakers shall at all times be attentive to the detection and control of waste or misuse in the water supply system and shall promptly report any case of either waste or misuse to the Line Manager.

7. Waterworks Caretakers shall inspect daily the water services for the scheme. A report on any noticeable change in the quality of the raw water shall be made to the Line Manager immediately. Monitor weather forecasts to facilitate proactive management of raw water being forwarded for storage/treatment. Cooperate with

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the regulatory bodies (e.g. environment section, EPA etc.) in relation to catchment and raw water management.

8. Waterworks Caretakers shall carry out inspections, including night inspections, as and when required or directed. He/she shall keep all records in connection with same and submit them to the Line Manager. Suspected leaks and wastages are to be attended to immediately.

9. He/she shall ensure that all surface boxes and manhole covers are protected during road and footpath reconstruction or re-surfacing work.

10. Waterworks Caretakers shall ensure that when works are being carried out in the vicinity of the water mains (whether the works are being carried out by the County Council, or any other agency, or person) that in so far as possible, no damage of any kind is caused to the water main or fittings. In the event of any works being likely to cause damage to the water main or fittings or likely to cause interruptions to water supplies he/she shall promptly inform the Line Manager.

11. Waterworks Caretakers shall promptly report to the Line Manager any unauthorised interference with any part of the water supply system.

12. Waterworks Caretakers shall promptly attend at the location of a fire outbreak when water from the public water supply system is required for firefighting purposes.

13. He/she shall accurately read all meters including E.S.B. meters both on the existing scheme and on any future extensions or Group Water Schemes. He/she shall include the total consumption of each meter in his monthly report, which must be submitted to the Line Manager during the first week of the succeeding month.

If a meter is not functioning or not legible or accessible for any particular reason, this fact shall be recorded in the monthly report.

He/she also take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that recording of the flow is resumed as quickly as possible.

14. He/she shall report to the Line Manager and the Water Services Department on all new connections to the system, giving the name and address of each new consumer and also stating the type of service supplied (i.e. domestic, agricultural, trade, etc.)

15. He/she shall be required as directed by the Line Manager to

a) Superviseb) Carry outc) Assist at all repairs and adjustments to the mains and fittings. Repairs to

be carried out during core hours for no additional payment.

16. He/she shall liaise with and observe work carried out by all contractors/sub-contractors on all schemes.

17. He/she shall liaise and assist in accordance with directions from Line Management with other Departments of the Council and statutory bodies (e.g. HSE, HAS, EPA etc.)

18. He/she shall keep the Line Manager advised on all water services matters, which may be of importance in the interest of the County Council and to liaise with other Departments of the Council on works and emergencies.

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19. Repairs to include leaks, bursts, connections, installation of any fittings such as

valves, hydrants etc. There will be no additional payments for any works carried out during core hours. All works connected with water mains/pumping stations/pump houses/booster pumps etc. form part of everyday maintenance.

20. Any work including repairs outside of core hours are to be agreed in advance with the Caretaker’s line manager. In each area the line manager shall be the General Services Supervisor.

21. Emergency works outside of core hours are to be authorised in the first instance by the General Services Supervisor in consultation with the Area Engineer or the Assistant Area Engineer. Failing contact with the General Services Supervisor or Area Engineers then either the Senior Executive Engineer or the Senior Engineer, Water Services must be contacted.

22. He/she shall be responsible for stocks of all necessary chemicals, tools, etc. and shall keep in his charge any parts required for replacement or otherwise.

23. He/she shall ensure that all gates, doors, etc. under his care are kept closed and locked at all times during his absence from same.

24. He/she shall assist in organising and planning of maintenance work such as repairs, bursts and installations.

25. He/she shall ensure that the treatment works operates efficiently, on a day to day basis. Waterworks Caretakers shall carry out daily tests for chlorine, fluorine. Chlorine residual tests shall be carried out daily in a structured manner at the extremities of the Scheme.

26. He/she shall maintain Water Treatment plants and any future extensions and improvements thereto, in a manner in keeping with local amenities. To keep sites free from weeds, nettles, etc, and to attend to and plant, as directed, shrubs and hedges. He/she shall also keep clean & tidy interior and exterior of all pumping stations, filter houses and other buildings on site.

27. He/she shall be given a supply of daily log sheets which should be accurately filled in from day to day setting out particulars of all work done. The daily log sheets must be forwarded to the Line Manager every week.

In addition, a log book shall be kept at all pumping stations and treatment works, and this book must be signed each time the Caretaker calls. The time and duration of each call must also be entered in the log book.

28. He/she shall be responsible for the routine maintenance of the scheme, including all pumping stations, treatment works, reservoirs and their respective sites. In this respect he/she shall establish a daily routine for the inspection and maintenance of these works. The Caretaker shall be responsible for the scouring out of all lines/tanks/towers/reservoirs at regular intervals or as directed by Line Manager.In particular, all plant and equipment shall be operated lubricated and generally maintained in accordance with the Manufacturer’s Instructions Books and Sheets and/or the operating and maintenance manual.

Furthermore, the Caretaker shall be responsible for regular cleaning, painting, grass cutting, weeding, fencing and any other duties of a routine nature as may be directed from time to time by the Line Manager.

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29. He/she shall supervise other Caretakers as required.

30. He/she shall carry out such other duties, including the preparation and submission of other reports, pertaining to the scheme as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Line Manager. He/she must also adhere to the requirements of a Water Quality Management Plan.

31. Co-operate with Water Metering and Water Conservation Programmes.

32. He/she shall organise sufficient caretaking cover in absence of caretaker

33. Waterworks Caretakers shall assist with informing the public of disruption to water supplies and ensure these disruptions are kept to a minimum

34. He/she shall respond to reasonable requests for assistance by other bodies/members of the public

35. He/she shall deal with members of the public in a courteous, prompt and efficient manner and to keep the Line Manager informed of such dealings.

36. He/she shall participate fully in any initiatives aimed at increasing customer satisfaction/quality of service to the community.

37. He/she shall report immediately, the circumstances of any inefficiency or unsatisfactory work or service in his/her charge and to carry out the direction consequent on such reports.

38. He/she shall use as directed and upon receipt of appropriate training Information Technology equipment including digital cameras, personal computers and hand held technologies and SCADA technology.

39. He/she shall participate fully in any initiatives aimed at increasing customer satisfaction/quality of service to the community

40. Comply with all organisational policies, procedures and legislation.

38. Adhere to Health & Safety legislation/procedures at all times.

39. Avail of modern communications as directed.

41. Attend Training courses in connection with the post, as directed.

42. Protective clothing to be worn when required or when requested.

43. Be responsible for completion of timesheets, worksheets, record sheets, job report sheets and shall also be responsible for making returns and other forms of documentation as required.

43. Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

November 2019

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