Service Manager

Office of Public Works; Celbridge; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of Public Works (OPW) invites applications for the position of Service Manager at Castletown House and Donaghcumper House, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. The Service Manager will oversee all operational matters and lead the onsite team.

You will manage projects, liaise with contractors, and implement safety and quality controls. The role requires staff leadership, attention to detail and flexibility for events and weekend work.

Qualifications

• Full, clean Irish driving licence may be required.
• Knowledge of OPW safety policies encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Manage the operational team at Castletown House and Donaghcumper House.
• Oversee projects and liaise with contractors on site.
• Develop and maintain safe systems of work; ensure quality controls.
• Provide leadership and guidance to staff including apprentices; manage performance and attendance.
• Assist in procurement and contract management as required.

Skills

Experience in building maintenance

ICT usage and application

Supervision and rostering of staff

Project management

Job description

The Office of Public Works (OPW) invites applications for the position of Service Manager at Castletown House & Donaghcumper House, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. The Service Manager is responsible for the management of all operational matters at Castletown House and Estate and Donaghcumper House

Competition Reference 2026/071

Essential Eligibility Requirements (at the closing date)

• A full clean, current Drivers Licence, Category B&W;*

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you are not eligible.(2)From 1 January 2021 if you are resident in Ireland and hold a UK/NI driving licence it is no longer valid to drive on here in Ireland.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.

• A current Safe Pass card**

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.

• A thorough knowledge of the building trade, including building methodologies;
• A clear copy of their Employment Permit, if applicable (a non-EEA national, unless exempted, requires an employment permit to work in Ireland). *3

Note: Eligible candidates must be:

• A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or
• A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
• A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
• A non-EEA citizen who has a stamp 41 or a Stamp 5 visa;

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.

The Service Manager

The following list, which is not exhaustive, sets out the broad range of duties that may be required to be undertaken by a Service Manager.

• Manage the operational team in Castletown House & Donaghcumper House and act as Duty Manager for events and projects when necessary. Delegate deputy Duty Manager duties to Forepersons where appropriate when not on site.
• Supervise and oversee various projects as directed by management; liaise with contracted staff and external contractors on site to ensure projects, works, and maintenance issues are carried out and completed in a timely manner;
• Engage and liaise with, as required, any external contractors, stakeholders, and wider OPW sections, including Architects, and M&E.
• Inspect, report on and prioritise maintenance on all buildings assigned to him/her.
• To manage the fabric of the building and grounds and ensure it is maintained and presented to the highest standard;
• Liaise with OPW senior management, Forepersons, and various tenants within the Castletown/Donaghcumper.
• Develop and maintain safe systems of work within his/her area of operation;
• Identify risks to health and safety of employees assigned to him/her and of other persons within his/her area of operation; ensure that contractors are properly inducted for working on buildings within his/her responsibility;
• Carry out assigned work within a time agreed with management to required standards of quality and workmanship;
• Working in consultation with management, ensure supervision and certification of works or services contracted in, in line with OPW procedures;
• Provide leadership and guidance in the management of staff assigned to him/her;
• Supervise and instruct, as required, employees, including apprentices, within his/her area of operation;
• Responsible for leading, managing, directing and monitoring all staff, including apprentices, within his/her area of operation and ensuring that they successfully complete all of their duties on time and in a safe manner;
• Maintain discipline, fostering a team spirit, and ensure that the output of staff and the quality of their work are satisfactory and that the best use is made of labour, materials, plant and equipment;
• Report to management any serious misconduct or breaches of discipline by employees, including apprentices, for whom the Service Manager acts as Line Manager;
• Assist in the management of human resources and industrial relations within his/her area of operation. This function includes, inter alia, management of and provision of written reports as required on absenteeism, work performance, probation, safe operation procedures, accident investigations, and disciplinary procedures;
• Assist in dealing with any grievance, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and disciplinary matters that arise with any employees in his/her area in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the relevant State Industrial Employees' policy documents;
• Know and understand the OPW’s Safety Statement;
• Compile and review Method Statement and Risk Assessments for projects/works;
• Requesting and reviewing all safety documentation associated with operations, Implementing changes coming from them;
• Assist in the maintenance of all records/reports required. These records/reports may take the form of Weekly Time-sheets, Diaries, Management Systems, Asset Management Systems, Environmental Management Systems, and Health and Safety Management Systems that are currently in place or may be put in place in the future. Such records may require to be maintained in paper and/or electronic format;
• Responsible for procurement of goods, services and works; including paperwork, including approval forms and trackers; engagement with contractors, evaluations, and contract management,
• Responsible for induction of contractors on site prior to work involved.
• Ensure that purchase orders are completed correctly with an assigned job number or account code; and liaise with management, admin team and Storekeeper to ensure contracts are registered on Contract Register.
• Liaise with other OPW personnel as directed by management;
• Carry out other duties with are deemed appropriate to the grade which may be assigned from time to time;
• Demonstrate flexibility and mobility consistent with the needs of the service;
• Carry out or assist with Health & Safety roles such as H&S Compliance Officer.
• Perform the role of Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) and Safety Supervisor of the site and ensure training, SOPs, risk assessments and all other relevant documents are up to date. Also responsibility that all first aid facilities, health and safety equipment are up to date and fit for purpose by carrying out regular inspections.

The Service Manager 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 and Safety requirements;
• successfully undertake training as and when required;
• be 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, which may be assigned from time to time;
• Co-operate with the operation of and introduction of new work practices and technology.

Special Conditions apply

• The Service Manager is required to work on five days per week and at weekends and on public holidays, as required. Flexibility in attendance is required, including evening attendance as and when required;
• The Service Manager must respond to emergencies as required;
• Working without management supervision and/or alone;
• A neat experience is essential;
• Manual handling and lifting of awkward/heavy loads;
• Environmental awareness;
• Working at heights and in confined spaces;
• Working in inclement weather conditions;
• Management of traffic and plant movement;
• Dealing sensitively with members of the public;
• Hazards – sharps, chemicals, traffic, uneven/soft ground, disorderly members of the public.

General Skills, Expertise and Competencies

• Experience in building maintenance
• ICT usage and application;
• Supervision, management and rostering of staff;
• Organisational, planning and administrative skills;
• Communication, interpersonal and numeric skills;
• Analysis and decision-making;
• Leading and managing teams;
• Compilation, updating and management of safety plans;
• Event management;
• Project management
• Management of hospitality, especially in hosting high profile events and visits;
• Management and monitoring of construction and refurbishing projects.