Candidate Information Booklet

POST OF SEWERAGE CARETAKER GRADE III

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 SEWERAGE CARETAKER

GRADE III

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 1 years’ experience in the operation, installation and maintenance of wastewater treatment works 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 SEWERAGE CARETAKER–

GRADE III

PARTICULARS

Roscommon County Council wishes to form a Sewerage Caretaker Grade III panel to fill existing and future vacancies in the Water Services Department. Sewerage Caretakers Grade III will generally operate and maintain a sewerage scheme(s) comprising of the waste water treatment plant and the collection system including all associated pumping stations and provide assistance to the Sewerage Caretaker Grade V when required.

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

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

The candidate appointed to the post of Sewerage Caretaker Grade III 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 III €632.61 - €652.14 per week.

5. Garda Vetting/Child Safeguarding

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

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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.

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.

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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 SEWERAGE CARETAKER - GRADE III

DUTIES

The Caretaker shall carry out all instructions as shall be issued to him/her concerning the operation of the Scheme by the Senior Engineer Water Services Section, or by any other Line Manager or person nominated by the Senior Engineer for this purpose.

His/her duties shall include the following and may include other tasks allocated to him/her from time to time including the management and operation of other wastewater plants and collection systems.

I. The operation and management of the wastewater treatment plant(s), producing a final effluent in accordance with the operation and maintenance instructions for the plant

II. The organisation and performance of the plant maintenance programmes in accordance with the plant operation and maintenance instructions using safe working procedures

III. The monitoring of the wastewater treatment plant and associated pumping stations for the Scheme using the SCADA system. Interim reports shall be prepared and submitted as determined by the Line Manager.

IV. He/she may be a named person in Roscommon County Council’s Safety Statement and may be allocated specific duties under current and any future safety legislation regarding the safe operation of the plant and staff work procedures on the completed scheme.

V. The organisation of programmes for the maintenance of mechanical plant and for the ongoing calibration of instrumentation within the treatment plant and associated pumping stations

VI. The successful candidate will be responsible for the upkeep and the carrying out of necessary maintenance on the landscaping at the treatment works and outlying pumping stations.

VII. Failures/breakages should be reported to the appropriate Line Manager/Supervisor.

VIII. 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.

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IX. Take directions from and report to appropriate Line Manager/Supervisor.

X. Co-operate/supervise/assist at repairs carried out by full-time crew that may be assigned to the Engineering Area to carry out repairs where the expertise is not available locally.

XI. Avail of modern communications as directed.

XII. Attend Training Courses as directed.

XIII Compliance with all organisational policies, procedures and legislation.

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

XV. Protective clothing to be worn when required and when requested.

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

XVII The carrying out of all checks as outlined in Appendix A. (if appropriate)

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APPENDIX A

Daily General Plant Checks

1. Check Operator Interface – for overnight trip and / or alarm conditions.

2. Check alarm panel for overnight alarm conditions.

3. Check gas monitoring panel for gas levels.

4. Check skip levels for grit and screening and disposing of same as required.

5. Check the grit cycle observing that water / grit is pumped to the classifier.

6. Check complete operation of all pumps (pumping stations and WWTW) including

ancillary equipment.

7. Check complete operation of all screens and ancillary equipment.

8. Check for general water leaks.

9. Visually inspect the RBI for correct operation.

11. Clean down all equipment, channels, sumps, etc, with water hose system.

12. Check Air Blowers operation and alternate as necessary.

13. Confirm the operational status of the Aeration System.

14. Accept deliveries of imported sludge as necessary.

Weekly General Plant Checks

1. Check running currents of all equipment.

2. Check grease level in grit classifier lubricator reservoirs.

3. Alternate duties of pumps / fans, which have duty / standby arrangement.

4. Print out plant report and file for record purposes.

5. Clean grit trap level probes.

6. Check computer listing for maintenance requirement on all equipment.

7. Check emergency stop buttons.

8. Check grease level in all bearings.

9. Check oil level in gearboxes.

10. Check and clean telemetry system and panels.

11. Check record, report for noticeable signs of corrosion.

12. Check fire and intruder alarm for correct operation.

13. Check running hours of all equipment and alternate if high.

14. Check all breather plugs on all gearboxes to ensure they are clear and replace if

necessary.

15. Organise skips for sludge removal as required.

16. Request the order of and organise polyelectrolyte and other chemicals as required.

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Specific Weekly Plant Checks

1. Visually inspect the decanters (centrifuge) bearing hub, bowl hub and other bowl

parts.

2. Inspect the pressure reducing valves, solenoids valve and flowmeter of the

polyelectrolyte system as detailed in the manufacturers operation and maintenance

instructions.

3. Lubricate the slewing ring of the grit trap with three strokes of the grease gun.

4. Check for water weeping from the impeller motor housing of the washpactor.

5. Check operation of the Aeration System.

Monthly General Plant Checks

1. Grease spindle and running guides of all penstocks.

2. Check and operate all fire and water hose reels.

3. Check and change if necessary grease / oil levels, gearboxes, bearing pumps and

motors.

4. Check all equipment for a balance of running hours between duty/standby.

5. Check and clean filters for air blower.

6. Check maintenance schedule on the computer and carry out any work requested.

7. Carry out function test of emergency lighting in the plant.

8. Check ultrasonic level sensors for correct operation and clean when required.

9. Undertaken manual washdown of storm tank.

10. Run check on generator.

11. Remove all rocks / stones accumulated at base of fine screen.

12. Inspect all screwed connections on the hydraulic lines for leaks and retighten as

necessary.

Specific Monthly Plant Checks

1. Inspect the perforated screen of the inlet screen for damage.

2. Check the condition of rotating cleaning brushes/auger of the inlet screen.

3. Inspect water desludge cleaning system of the screen.

4. Check the main chain drive tension of the screen.

5. Check and clean, if necessary, the intake filter of the screen.

6. Clean inside and outside of the screw conveyor.

7. Check the liner of the screw conveyor for wear.

8. Check the packaging box of the screw conveyor for leaks.

9. Check the spiral of the screw conveyor for damage and wear.

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Six Monthly Specific Plant Checks

1. Completely open the penstocks and make a visual inspection.

2. Check the compactor screw is maintaining a clearance with the perforated trough

and that the runner strips / plastic bearing are not excessively worn.

3. Clean the conveying chambers of the blowers.

Yearly General Plant Checks

1. Clean cable trays and floor ducts.

2. Check high / low alarm on tanks and check for leaks in tanks, pipework, etc.

3. Calibrate and test all gas monitoring sensors (by qualified personnel) only.

4. Check all electrical connections for tightness.

5. Operate LV mains incomer breakers by manually tripping same.

6. Check paintwork for damage and repaint as required.

7. Clean air intakes and outlets for the air extract/ odour control systems.

Specific Yearly Equipment Checks

1. Check all components and fittings of the access covers.

2. Check all fixing screws of Centrifuge feed pumps and poly dosing pumps for

tightness, according to their specific maintenance instructions.

3. Carry out complete inspection of gear unit of above pumps.

4. Visually inspect buffers of tipping buckets for distortion, perishing and splitting.

5. Check and correct alignment of pulleys and belt tension on the air blowers.

In addition to the duties listed for the Schemes, the operator will be required to carry out

periodic duties. These may include the following:

Specific Plant Checks

1. Settlement Chamber of the Grit Trap should be drained to remove rags, stringy

matter, etc. The period between drainages is dependent on site conditions.

2. Check impeller and compactor screw brushes of washpactor for signs of wear every

3 months.

3. Check rinse washwater supply of washpactor every 3 months.

4. Flush the dewatering chamber and compactor tank of the washpactor every 3

months.

November 2019

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