Competition for General Operative (Roads Service) January 2018 Information Booklet

Competition for
General Operative
 (Roads Service)
   January 2018

Information Booklet

         1

1. Qualifications

   A. Character:

      Candidates shall be of good character.

   B. Health

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

   C. Education, Experience

      Candidates shall:

         Hold a full, valid driving licence and have his/her own car;

         Have a good knowledge and previous experience in road maintenance and
          construction of road projects;

         Have a good knowledge and previous experience in Safety, Health & Welfare
          at work and in dealing with the public.

      The following are desirable but not essential:

         Technical qualifications would be an advantage.

         A basic knowledge of computer skills would be an advantage.

2. Particulars of the Post

   A. General

      The Donegal County Council Roads Service proposes to create a panel for the
      position of General Operative, from which it will fill temporary and permanent
      vacancies as they arise.

      Positions will generally be on a fixed-term temporary seasonal contract basis,
      and based on a 39-hour week. However, Permanent positions may be filled
      during the lifetime of the panel, subject to Departmental approval.

                                            2

B. Residence/Response Time

  Due to the nature of some of the work required out of hours (e.g. winter
  service, flooding incidents, etc.), a reasonable response time is required from
  time of callout to arrival at the required work location.

  It is a condition of employment for all staff appointed that their permanent
  residence and the proposed base will be a maximum travel time of 30 minutes
  (measured via AA Route Planner). Unless otherwise confirmed in writing by the
  Council, the condition will be enforced throughout the period of employment.

C. Probation

  Candidates shall be required to be on probation for an initial period, as
  determined by the Council.

D. Remuneration

  Weekly pay scale: €519.43 minimum to €598.67 maximum (National Payscale,
  as per circular EL 10/2017).

  Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale.
  The rate of pay may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay
  policy.

E. Base

  The base shall be the local roads depot for the area to which the successful
  candidate is assigned.

F. Requirement to Drive

  Candidates shall be required:

         to possess a full current, valid category B Driving Licence;

         the successful candidate may be required to drive a vehicle supplied by
          Donegal County Council for use at times when carrying out duties
          assigned by the Council;

         alternatively the successful candidate may be required to drive their own
          vehicle for which they will be recompensed for any official journeys
          undertaken, in accordance with the current agreed travel rates.

                                         3

From time to time, driver vacancies arise in the Council’s winter maintenance
       operation. Where such vacancies exist, winter maintenance driving may be
       required as part of the seasonal operatives duties and any seasonal operative
       being appointed to fill such a vacancy will be required to hold a ‘C’ class driving
       licence and have their Driver CPC up to date. Where a seasonal post involves
       winter maintenance driving, the vacancy will be offered to the highest placed
       candidate on the panel holding the ‘C’ licence and Driver CPC (and subject to
       the residence/response time requirements as outlined in section 2B above).

       Other potential driver vacancies can arise with, for example, a requirement for
       a CE class licence. A similar procedure would apply in this regard, if applicable.

       Candidates should record their driver licence categories on the application form
       in this regard.

3. Duties

   The successful candidate shall report to the Roads Services Supervisor or to
   another appropriate person as determined by the Council from time to time. The
   Council will assign duties to the successful candidate that are consistent with the
   agreed role description for this position.

   A non-exhaustive list of duties for a general operative is provided below:

   Core duties:

      Carrying out road maintenance work, for example, road repairs/hedge
       cutting/etc.
      Assisting road construction works, for example, pipe laying/minor block
       work/road strengthening/ road construction etc.
      Ensuring that the Council’s safety management systems are complied with;
      Setting up and maintaining traffic management;
      Assisting in setting out of roadworks;
      Operating tools, small plant & equipment / machinery;
      Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

   Other duties:

      Being available as part of the call out systems of the Council;
      The carrying out of the above duties (or similar) for other functional areas of
       the Council as and when these are assigned.
      Compliance with all organizational policies, procedures and legislation.

Please note that this list of duties is indicative rather than exhaustive.

                                             4

4. Recruitment Process

A. Short-Listing

Candidates may be short-listed for interview on the basis of information supplied. In
the event of a short-listing exercise being required, an Expert Panel will convene to
examine and assess the application forms against a set of pre-determined criteria,
based on the requirements of the job. It is therefore in your own interest to provide a
detailed and accurate account of your qualifications and experience on the application
form.

Where it is considered that it would be reasonable not to admit all candidates to the
interview, by reason of the number of applications received and the standard of
knowledge, training or experience in general of the candidates, only persons likely to
attain at the interview a standard sufficient for selection and recommendation for
appointment shall be called for interview.

B. Right to Information and Review:

The Council is committed to offering feedback and information to candidates. Any
candidate who wishes to do so may request to have a decision or the process
reviewed. Any such request must be submitted in writing, stating the grounds of the
request and this must be submitted to the HR Dept, Three Rivers Centre, Lifford, Co.
Donegal within five working days of the date of notification of a relevant decision.

C. Confidentiality:

Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, applications will be
treated in strict confidence.

D. Other

Appointments to the Council are subject to satisfactory checks with regard to
references, qualifications, medical examinations, and Garda Vetting, as applicable.

E. Canvassing Will Disqualify

Any attempt by a candidate (or by any persons acting on their behalf) to canvass or
otherwise influence any officer of the Council (or persons nominated by it to interview
or examine applicants) in the candidate’s favour, either directly or indirectly, by means
of written communication or otherwise, will automatically disqualify the applicant for
consideration for the position.

                                             5