The Child and Family Agency was established on 1^st January 2014 and is responsible for a range of statutory functions including provision of child protection, alternative care, specified regulatory services and a range of family support services.  The Agency has commenced a major improvement programme with significant focus on Practice, Culture and Structure.

The Agency currently has responsibility for a budget in excess of €1.2bn and delivers its services through circa 5,000 people in 350 locations across the Country.

The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the following range of services:

• Child Protection and Welfare
• Family Support
• Alternative Care
• Adoption
• Tusla Education Support Services (TESS)
• Children’s Service Regulation
• Counselling and Therapeutic Supports

Further information is available on www.tusla.ie

Purpose of role:

• To support the delivery of FM services in Tusla South Region (East/West)
• To support the design, roll out and operation of a National FM solution
• To support the provision of a consistent approach to FM
  • Management and supervision of contractors and in-house maintenance staff

• Reduce Tusla’s exposure to infrastructural risk.

• Improve efficiency in the management of FM including the implementation of a National FM IT System.

• Provide safe, clean, secure functioning working environments.
• Support the integration of FM into relevant national, regional and area committees.      
• Ensure planned preventative maintenance programmes are in place at Ferryhouse and across the region.
• Co-ordinate a range of professional, technical, project management, property, fire and safety and related services in respect of the maintenance of the regions physical infrastructure - including buildings, plant and equipment. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Maintenance Officer main duties and responsibilities are:

Professional /Technical

• Plan daily/weekly objectives and planned preventative maintenance programmes, to report progress on work and to ensure that issues/queries are addressed on an ongoing basis.
• Supervise staff and contractors in association with service. Plan, supervise and control of work programmes; including the supervising of the time keeping, attendance, productivity, and the quality of work and competency of staff under his/her supervision.
• Ensure statutory compliance across Ferryhouse Campus and identified Tusla sites and maintain associated paperwork/documentation/evidence of compliance.
• Carry out such maintenance duties including physical duties related to the successful candidates’ areas of trade/qualification.
• Familiarise themselves with new technology and be prepared to participate and co-operate in such training courses considered appropriate.
• Give their full co-operation with future developments in National FM and with changes in work practices as a result of new technology.  
• Assist the National Manager Facilities and Tusla Estates colleagues in the preparation of a comprehensive strategic plan for the proper maintenance of all plant and equipment relevant to Ferryhouse Campus and other identified sites and provide ongoing progress reports
• Co-operate with new technology, operation of maintenance management system and other computerised systems and to provide, maintain and validate such written records as required
• Carry out quality and control audits on works completed.
• Manage a planned preventative maintenance system and maintain a digitalised work request system.
• Assign work to staff and contractors as required and follow up on all outstanding and pending work requests.
• Present daily reports to the line manager or designate on works outstanding, pending and completed and call out emergency repairs, staff attendances, failures in communications and incidents and adverse events.
• Assist in the collection and compiling of information to support National FM and National Estates Department.
• Participate in on call rota system and work overtime as required to support the planned and unplanned works.
• Be required to have flexibility where required to cater for specific arrangements, such as emergency work, shutdowns, shift work and holidays, etc.
• Be familiar and comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety Act 2005 and ensure that his/her staff work in a safe manner.
• Assist in identifying the training needs of the staff under his/her supervision.
• Supervise the efficient operation and effective maintenance of all maintenance services in Ferryhouse, Clonmel and other identified sites.
• Co-ordinate and liaise with staff and contractors engaged in the maintenance, repair and alteration of services at Ferryhouse, Clonmel and other identified sites.
• Supervise as required staff engaged in maintenance works
• Monitor and record plant/apparatus service and carry out conditioning surveys in accordance with the planned preventative maintenance schedule
• Assist the National FM in the setting up and management of planned maintenance programmes/ contracts and preventative maintenance programmes/ contracts, highlighting areas which are outstanding or in need of corrective attention.
• Plan and supervise existing or proposed rota arrangements with the National Manager Facilities or designate including on-call rota, generator test schedule and staff rota, out of hour’s planned preventative maintenance (PPM) works, and contractor support works. Assist in various programmes on energy conservation.
• Manage and monitor UPS & IPS systems.
• Monitor and advise on renewal of training records for personnel assigned to them.
• Manage and maintain assigned staff PPE and work tools/equipment. Carry out periodic auditing and recordable notes
• Supervise the stock spare parts and order as necessary to maintain stock levels. Carry out quarterly stocktake of materials/equipment.
• Carry out such duties as may be assigned to him/her from time to time by the National Manager Facilities or designate.
• Record and update safety data sheets

General Responsibilities

The Maintenance Officer will:

• Carry a Tusla mobile phone, lap top etc., as required to insure personnel safety and good communications with the employee
• Work all necessary overtime, planned and unplanned to deliver upon the generator testing, maintenance, repair, and contractor support in order to minimise the impact on the service delivery
• Participate in the on-call roster as required.
• Co-operate and support the introduction of new technologies, and changes in work practice
• Maintain good communications with all staff, work colleagues and contractors
• Promote a quality working environment within Tusla.
• Manage mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems along with generator back up system and the general operations of a swimming pool.
• Manage specialist M&E systems including but not limited to the following: BMS, Fire Alarm, Emergency Lighting, Gas, Water Treatment Plant and swimming pool.
• Waste and environmental management controls associated with the campus.
• Supervise and assist in the planning and installation of M&E systems ensuring compliance with standards based approach and national regulations.
• Monitor the general grounds to ensure the upkeep of trees, grass and general environment are maintained to a high standard.
• Be required to complete any appropriate records and reports relating to their work e.g. work done, materials used, materials requisitioned, defects discovered, time taken, matters requiring further or future attention, etc.  Management shall, from time to time, determine the type, form and content of appropriate records.  This shall include but not be limited to computerised work management systems, planned preventative maintenance systems, building management systems and any new technology introduced.  This shall include but not be limited to palm top devices, tablet computers, laptop computers etc.

Education & Training

The Maintenance Officer will:

• Undertake training as required to enhance his/her ability and safety at work.
• Maintain all Tusla mandatory training and training associated with the role
• Ensure that staff/contractors maintain their Tusla mandatory training and training associated with the role
• Assist in identifying the training needs of staff under his/her supervision
• Be prepared to cooperate with the implementation of new technology and be prepared to participate in such training courses considered appropriate by Tusla from time to time.

Health & Safety

The Maintenance Officer will:

• Ensure all premises under remit comply with statutory fire, health and safety obligations
• Ensure the testing of all fire detection equipment and firefighting equipment in association with the Fire & Safety Officer.
• Support the continued maintenance Safety Statements and assist in carrying out risk assessments
• Use protective clothing and equipment as necessary, during the course of duty in accordance with the Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 and 1985 and observe all other safety procedures currently in force.
• Have a working knowledge of Health & Safety Legislation, including the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act (2005), Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations (2007) and a good level of knowledge regarding all other health and safety legislation.
• Have a working knowledge of the purpose and function of the Health & Safety Authority (HSA).  The post holder may be asked to participate in inspections as appropriate.
• Support and promote a safe working environment at all times, to include participation in the development of the annual maintenance safety statement.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
• Enforce Safety, Health and Welfare at work legislation, regulations and good practice relevant to the role of buildings and maintenance management as it applies to the Tusla and contractors staff
• Ensure that contractors observe permit to work systems and ensure contractors

comply with Tusla terms of engagement.

• Ensure that contractors have participated in site inductions and submit risk assessments and method statements (RAM’s)
• Understanding of the roles of PSDP/PSCS and ensure appointment of same as required.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. 

Please refer to the Candidate Information pack attached to this campaign for full and further detail.

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

(a).

1. Hold a third level qualification to a minimum standard of Higher Certificate (Quality and Qualifications Ireland Level 6), in Mechanical, Electrical, or Civil Services

Or

1. Possess a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Level 6 (or higher) Advanced Certificate Craft – in Mechanical, Electrical, or Civil Services (or equivalent qualification).

Or

1. Possess the National Craft Certificate issued by FETAC.

Or

1. Possess the Senior Trades Certificate issued by the Department of Education.

And

(b)  Have a minimum of 5 years post qualification / apprenticeship experience in maintenance of industrial, commercial and domestic type buildings.

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.