Craft Construction Plant Fitter

Office of Public Works; Dublin; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of Public Works invites applications to fill 2 permanent posts for Craft Construction Plant Fitters in the East Region Arterial Drainage Maintenance & Construction Service Division. The roles require a full driving licence, Safe Pass, and an Advanced Certificate in Craft Construction Plant Fitter with at least 3 years of post-qualification experience.

Candidates must be eligible to work in Ireland, with appropriate permits if non‑EEA. A CSCS excavator card is also required.

Qualifications

• Full, clean driving licence (category B & W).
• Advanced Certificate Craft Construction Plant Fitter or equivalent Level 6.
• Minimum 3 years’ relevant experience (post qualification).
• Current Safe Pass card.
• Be able to demonstrate relevant Craft Construction Plant Fitter experience in the last 5 years.
• Non-EEA nationals require an employment permit.

Responsibilities

• Carry out fitting duties on OPW plant and equipment as part of maintenance and repair programmes.
• Repair and maintain hydraulic excavators and various construction plant.
• Prepare vehicles and equipment for statutory inspections.
• Interpret hydraulic and electrical schematics.
• Maintain workshop and yard in line with safety and quality procedures.
• Take on duties of line manager when needed.
• Train apprentices as assigned by the Mechanical Foreperson.

Skills

Valid driving licence B & W

Safe Pass

Experience within last 5 years

Employment permit eligibility

Education

Advanced Certificate Craft Construction Plant Fitter

Tools

CSCS Excavator card 3600

Job description

The Office of Public Works (OPW) invites applications to fill 2 positions of Craft Construction Plant Fitter on a permanent basis in the East Region Arterial Drainage Maintenance & Construction Service Division.

Competition Reference: 2026/080

Essential Eligibility Requirements (at the closing date)

• A full, clean and current driving licence, category B & W;*1,2 and use of own transport;
• Advanced Certificate Craft Construction Plant Fitter

(or equivalent Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications)**

• Minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience (post qualification);
• A current Safe Pass card***;
• Be able to demonstrate recent relevant experience as a Craft Construction Plant Fitter within the last 5 years;
• A clear copy of their Employment Permit, if applicable (a non-EEA national, unless exempted, requires an employment permit to work in Ireland). ****

Note: * (1) If your Irish driving licence is restricted to driving cars with an automatic transmission only (denoted by the code 78 appearing on the licence), you are not eligible. (2)From 1 January 2021 if you are resident in Ireland and hold a UK/NI driving licence, it is no longer valid to drive on here in Ireland. It is not legal for driving purposes, and must therefore be exchanged.It is vital that you have a valid driving licence and that you are legally allowed to drive in Ireland by exchanging a UK/NI licence for an Irish driving licence. Further information available on: www.ndls.ie

Note: **Irish or Foreign qualification (deeded in a similar field of study) recognised as equivalent to the above qualifications on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.

Note: Apprenticeship served in the above, evidence of craft and exams completed successfully will be necessary and copies should be submitted with your application.

Note: *** Where a current safe pass card is not available, proof of successful completion of the Safe Pass Course prior to the closing date will be accepted.

Eligible candidates must be:

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who has a stamp 41 or a Stamp 5 visa;

1 Please note that a 50 TEU visa, which is a replacement for Stamp 4EUFAM after Brexit, is acceptable as a Stamp 4 equivalent.

To qualify candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.

All non-EU/EEA citizens must hold a valid work permit prior to and for the duration of their contract. The work permit must allow you to work full time for the Office of Public Works. It is the responsibility of individual employees to ensure that you have a valid work permit. If at any stage during your contract you cease to hold a valid work permit you must immediately advise the Office of Public Works and your employment will cease with immediate effect

• Hold a current CSCS card for 3600 Excavator (for category greater than 5 tonne) and have work experience in operating same.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities Craft Construction Plant Fitter

The following list, which is not exhaustive, sets out the broad range of duties that may be required to be undertaken by a Craft Construction Plant Fitter in the OPW. Variances in the requirements of individual posts will reflect the management and operational requirements of individual sites and areas of work.

• Complete Dynamic risk assessments prior to beginning of each job;
• Communicate with site foreman prior to beginning work;
• Train apprentices as assigned by the Mechanical Foreperson. Ensure that their health and safety welfare is accounted for while in the fitters care;
• Demonstrate good organisational skills, following established policies, procedures and work; practices, and developing and implementing improvements where necessary;
• Provide familiarisation training on plant/equipment in line with OPW requirements;
• Operate diagnostic and software tools where appropriate;
• Carrying out fitting duties as required on OPW mechanical equipment including construction plant and equipment and fixed mechanical installations as part of the maintenance and repair programme. A significant proportion of these fitting duties will be carried out on equipment which will be located at various OPW work sites;
• Repair and maintenance of hydraulic excavators, various types of construction plant, 4-wheel drive vehicles along with a small truck fleet and the upkeep and repair of fixed/mobile pump and sluice gates;
• Preparation of vehicles and plant and equipment prior to statutory inspections;
• Interpretation of hydraulic and electrical schematics;
• The general upkeep and maintenance of the workshop and yard. The workshop and yard should be maintained in line with the OPW safety and quality procedures;
• Take on the duties of the line manager when they are out on leave or sickness;
• Welding and light fabrication work including interpretation of mechanical drawings;
• Carrying out duties as directed by the Mechanical Foremen;
• Partaking in training programmes as required to up-skill and develop staff skills in the section;
• Any other duties that may be deemed applicable to the post.

A Craft Construction Plant Fitter is required to:

• Demonstrate flexibility and mobility, consistent with the needs of the service;
• Contribute to and maintain a good team spirit and an effective team-working environment;
• Remain calm while working under pressure when effectively dealing with incidents;
• Make sound judgements in emergency situations;
• Work on own initiative in accordance with supervisor/manager instructions whilst being an effective part of a larger team;
• Apply excellent and effective interpersonal and communication skills coupled with a professional, polite and courteous manner when dealing with colleagues, management and the public;
• Apply a positive, flexible and proactive approach to work allied with an ability to deliver an effective work presence;
• Carry out all work in an efficient and safe manner, in accordance with the directions of the supervisor/manager, with regard to self, colleagues and the public through understanding, observance and application of Health & Safety requirements;
• Be physically capable of meeting the full range of the requirements of the position;
• Carry out other duties deemed by the supervisor/manager as reasonable and appropriate to the grade and to the position;
• Co-operate with the operation of and introduction of new work practices and technology, e.g. tablets, smart phones, vehicle tracking, electronic information circulation incl. location reporting;
• Comply with all Health & Safety procedures as directed;
• Attend and achieve the required standard in induction training, training courses in manual handling, and other courses in supervision and health & safety as required by the OPW.