BRIEFING DOCUMENT, APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS FOR WATER & WASTEWATER CARETAKER GRADE 3 Water & Waste Water Treatment Plants and Associated Collection & Distribution Systems The Position: Limerick City & County Council invites applications from suitably qualified applicants for the permanent position of Water & Wastewater Caretaker Grade 3. The successful candidate will be expected to carry out a range of duties in a responsible position delivering operations on the ground for the Council including facilities owned by Irish Water or third parties as well as those owned by the Council. He/she will report to a Foreman or Engineer. The successful candidate may be based in any area of the City and County as determined by the Council. The range of responsibilities and the geographical area shall be as determined from time to time by the Council. The successful candidate may be required to work in either Water or Waste Water facilities or in combination of both facility types. The operating times will be in accordance with one of the two following arrangements: 39 hours over seven days 39 hours over five or six days including up two weekend days in any two week period. 1
The Caretaker will be required to reside within Limerick City/County or within a reasonable distance thereof. The assignment to facilities type and of operating times will be determined in order to meet the Council s operating needs and may vary from time to time. Job Specification Duties at Waste Water Treatment Plants and associated collection and distribution systems include, but are not limited to: General maintenance of all sewerage schemes as assigned, including sewers, rising mains, storm overflows, pump chambers, treatment plants and sites including all fencing, gates and buildings and ancillary facilities. The wastewater treatment and collection system locations may vary from day to day and week to week, including the number of facilities to be operated by the Caretaker Carry out duties at varying wastewater facilities operated by the Council Gain a thorough knowledge of all parts of the systems Carry out minor repairs required to the sewerage system and assist in the carrying out of major repairs which the Engineer/Foreman may require Be in attendance when new connections are being made Carry out regular surveys and also such surveys which may be directed by the Engineer/Foreman, and at all times be responsible for ensuring that all sewers are flowing freely and there are no blockages in manholes Take charge of the Council s plant for the sewerage system and store same in a proper accessible place and maintain them in good serviceable condition at all times Inspect manhole covers on a weekly basis Be available at all times to carry out inspections with the Engineer and/or Foreman Attend emergency work outside of normal working hours, if required Inspect the sewerage system regularly and ensure that same is kept in proper working condition. Notify the Engineer/Foreman immediately of any breakdown and take all necessary steps to rectify same as soon as possible 2
Compile a list of all premises connected to the sewerage systems Be responsible for the existing system and for any extension thereof Carry out all duties that may be assigned by the Engineer/Foreman Where pumping stations and treatment works are installed, the Caretaker shall be in a position to operate these plants and to control the treatment operations in accordance with the makers instructions. Carry out all instructions issued by the Engineer/Foreman and ensure that the sewerage is treated in a satisfactory manner and that the final effluent is satisfactory in all respects. All wet and dry sludges and screenings are removed for disposal as instructed by the Engineer/Foreman. The pumping station, treatment works and pipeline system shall be kept in a satisfactory condition and all fittings shall be kept in perfect working order. The entire plant is to be kept painted by the Caretaker, including doors, gates, soffit and fascia. Grass cutting where necessary and take reasonable care of machinery provided Co-operate with the installation and operation of telemetry systems and SCADA where necessary and where installed Successfully complete training programmes as required by Limerick City & County Council/Irish Water Maintain records on a daily basis or as otherwise specified by the Council and in the manner as specified by the Council Attend at the plant works and enter in a works diary and/or central electronic diary, each morning before 8:00 a.m. the work programme for the day and the places where the caretaker can be contacted between 08:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for that particular day Co-operate with and avail of any new technology which may become available Operate whatever type of communication system is supplied Ensure compliance with work safety procedures in operation in Limerick City & County Council/Irish Water and fully participate in any safety programme that may be implemented. Wear any safety equipment/clothing supplied A high standard of supervision is expected and the sewerage systems must be kept to the entire satisfaction of the Director of Services and/or Senior Engineer 3
Liaise and co-operate with any outside agency engaged by Limerick City & County Council/Irish Water Cover for other caretakers as specified by the Foreman or Engineer Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Director of Services/Senior Engineer/Senior Executive Engineer/Executive Engineer/Assistant Engineer/Foreman. All duties are subject to review. Duties at Water Treatment Plants and associated intake and distribution systems include, but are not limited to: General maintenance of all water supply schemes as assigned, including all intakes, boreholes, wells, rising mains, treatment plants, mains, reservoirs, tanks, pumping stations and sites including fencing, gates and buildings and ancillary facilities. Maintenance of hydrometric gauges including changing of recording charts. The water treatment and distribution system locations may vary from day to day and week to week, including the number of facilities to be operated by the Caretaker Carry out duties at varying water facilities operated by the Council Gain a thorough knowledge of all parts of the systems Carry out minor repairs required to the water system and assist in the carrying out of major repairs which the Engineer/Foreman may require Be in attendance when house connections are being made Take charge of the Council s fire fighting equipment, fire hoses, hydrants, etc. Store them in a proper and accessible place and maintain them in good serviceable condition at all times Carry out regular inspections of all fire hydrants and stopcock covers within the relevant area and be responsible for carrying out any maintenance works on these including cleaning, arranging for any repairs, etc. and ensure that they are in working order Be available at all times to carry out inspections with the Engineer and/or Foreman Be available to attend emergency work outside of normal working hours, if required Inspect the water supply system regularly and keep same in proper working condition 4
Notify the Engineer/Foreman immediately of any breakdown and take all necessary steps to avoid undue waste of water or misuse of same. Compile a list of all premises connected to the distribution mains. Inspect these premises regularly to ensure that there is no waste or unauthorised use of water Be responsible for the existing system and for any extension thereof Carry out all duties that may be assigned by the Engineer/Foreman Where pumping plants and water treatment works are installed, operate these plants and control the treatment operations, in accordance with the makers instructions. Treat the water according to the instructions issued by the Engineer/Foreman and on a daily basis carry out all the necessary tests to ensure that the treated water is perfectly satisfactory in all respects. Notify the Engineer/Foreman immediately of any deterioration in the quality of the treated water. The treatment works, pumping stations, reservoirs, sites and pipeline system shall be kept in perfectly clean condition and all fittings shall be kept in perfect working order. The entire plant is to be kept painted by the Caretaker, including doors, gates, soffit and fascia. Scour water mains on a regular programmed basis to be agreed with Engineer/Foreman Cut grass where necessary and take reasonable care of machinery provided Co-operate with the installation and operation of telemetry systems and SCADA where necessary and where installed Successfully complete training programmes, as required by Limerick City & County Council / Irish Water and to update the training as necessary Attend at the water works and enter in a works diary and/or central electronic diary, each morning before 8:00 a.m. the work programme for the day and the places where the caretaker can be contacted between 08:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for that particular day. Keep a log book on site and enter daily reports of tests, consumption of water etc. and complete all required report forms. Complete electronic logs and records where such systems are provided. Serve notices on consumers as directed and give adequate notice to consumers if the water supply is to be interrupted. Co-operate with and avail of any new technology which may become available Operate whatever type of communication system is supplied 5
Ensure compliance with work safety procedures in operation in Limerick City & County Council / Irish Water and fully participate in any safety programme that may be implemented. Wear any safety equipment/clothing supplied Read water meters as directed by Engineer/Foreman. Where the usage on a meter is unusually high and a leak is suspected, the owner should be informed accordingly. Co-operate with water conservation work being carried out in the area by the Council / Irish Water or for the Council/Irish Water by a private company Liaise and co-operate with any outside agency engaged by Limerick City & County Council/Irish Water Cover for other caretakers as specified by the Foreman or Engineer Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Director of Services/Senior Engineer/Senior Executive Engineer/Executive Engineer/Assistant Engineer/Foreman. All duties are subject to review. Note: The above duties outline the main functions and responsibilities of the post of Grade 3 Caretaker, Water and Wastewater, and may be subject to review in the future. Rate of Pay: 609.48-628.29 per week (10 point incremental scale dependent on performance) A Weekend Allowance is payable when working on a weekend. The rate payable depends on the number of hours worked each weekend. Pension: The Local Government Superannuation Scheme applies. Annual Leave: 30 days per annum Hours of Work: 7 Day Arrangement 39 hours per week averaged over 7 days i.e. Monday to Sunday. The actual hours worked will be as agreed with the Foreman or Engineer in order to meet the Council s operating requirements. The rate of pay is inclusive of any premium payable in respect of Saturday or Sunday work including any work on Public Holidays, other than the Weekend 6
Allowance outlined above. Overtime shall not be payable. If required for operational reasons, hours per week maybe worked over a system of rostered days. 5/6 Day Arrangement 39 hours per week set out as follows: 8.00 am to 4.45 pm Monday to Thursday and 8.00 am to 3.45 pm on Friday with a half hour lunch break as specified. You are required to work weekends in accordance with the duties and compensation package outlined above. You will receive time off in lieu of weekend/public holiday hours worked on a time for time basis. Overtime shall not be payable. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work and the start/finish times from time to time to meet operational needs. The Person - Qualifications 1. Character Candidates shall 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, Experience, Etc. Candidates shall at the closing date for receipt of completed applications; Have reached a standard of education sufficient to enable him/her to carry out the duties assigned to him/her satisfactorily Have satisfactory experience in such areas as maintenance and operation of water and wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations and collection systems or experience of an equivalent nature General Requirements Candidates will demonstrate through their application and at the interview that, at the closing date for receipt of completed applications, he/she: holds a current full Class B driving licence has the ability to use initiative and judgement is resident within County Limerick or a reasonable distance thereof. has excellent communication skills has the ability to work well with other Council staff as well as staff from other organisations and contractors has detailed knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety legislation and requirements has detailed knowledge and understanding of water services operations 7
has a positive attitude with self motivation has excellent record of work based achievements and flexibility Application Process Completed application forms must be e-mailed to waterandseweragecaretaker@limerick.ie no later than Monday 18 th December 2017. An official application form must be completed in full by the closing date for the competition. Please note that amendments to the application form will not be accepted after the closing date. Please send your application from an e-mail address that you will review regularly as communication during the assessment/selection period will only be through that e-mail address. Selection Process Candidates will initially be assessed to ensure that they meet the minimum specified criteria for the position. Candidates will then be assessed on the basis of the information contained in their application form to determine, having regard to the requirements of the position and the number who have applied, if they should be called for interview. Short-listing may apply based on information supplied on application forms and the requirements of the position. 8
Interview Candidates at the interview will be assessed and marked on the following areas: Work Skills & Competence 200 Personal Skills 100 1. Knowledge of role and responsibilities of Caretaker 2. Work skills of a relevant nature 3. Knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety 1. Communication skills 2. Judgement and initiative 3. Decision making and problem solving skills 4. Positive attitude with self motivation Candidates at interview must achieve a minimum 50% of the total marks available in each of the competencies to qualify for inclusion on a panel. November, 2017 9