Stonecutter

Office of Public Works; Mallow; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of Public Works (OPW) invites applications for appointment to the position of Craft Stonemason and Stonecutter in the Mallow National Monuments District. Applicants must hold a Level 5 Stonemasonry qualification or equivalent with post-qualification experience, or an Advanced Certificate in Stonemasonry/Brick & Stonelaying with relevant work history.

Essential requirements include a valid driving licence with appropriate categories, Safe Pass, and eligibility to work in Ireland.

Qualifications

• Full, clean driving licence and use of own transport required.
• Safe Pass card required.
• Eligibility: Employment permit if non-EEA; citizen checks as detailed in the ad.
• Level 5 Stonemasonry qualification or equivalent with 5+ years conservation/heritage experience.
• Advanced Stonemasonry certificates with relevant post-qualification experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist in conservation and restoration on site and repair historic stonework.
• Build stone walls, dry and mortar walls, and mortar work.
• Read drawings and set out masonry, brick and block works.
• Mix mortar, lime and cement and work with related materials.
• Supervise apprentices and liaise with Foreperson on-site materials and schedules.
• Maintain health and safety requirements and keep areas clean and safe.

Skills

Driving licence

Safe Pass

Employment permit

Education

Level 5 Stonemasonry

Advanced Certificate in Stonemasonry

Advanced Certificate Craft Brick & Stonelaying

Job description

The Office of Public Works (OPW) invites applications for appointment to the position of Craft Stonemason and Stonecutter in the area covered by the Mallow National Monuments District.

Competition Reference 2026/068

Essential Eligibility Requirements (at the closing date):

Candidates must, at the closing date for receipt of applications, possess the following:

• A full, clean and current driving licence, category B & W* and use of own transport;*

• A level 5 qualification in Stonemasonry or equivalent on National Framework of Qualifications with a minimum of 5 years proven experience in conservation/heritage works (post qualification);

or

An Advanced Certificate in the Craft of Stonemasonry and Stonecutting (with a minimum of 3 years relevant work experience post qualification); (Specific training in stonework may be taken as fulfilling this requirement)

or

An Advanced Certificate Craft Brick and Stonelaying (with a minimum of 3 years work experience post qualification); (Specific training in stonework may be taken as fulfilling this requirement)**

• A full, clean and current driving licence, category B & W* and use of own transport;

• A current Safepass card***

• 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 (in a similar field of study) recognised as equivalent to the above qualifications on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. (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.

Note: ****Citizenship Requirements

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

Desirable Requirements

• Specific training and experience in stonework would be an advantage.
• Experience working on conservation projects
• Tractor and dumper experience.

Duties & Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the position of Craft Stonemason and Stonecutter in the OPW are multifaceted and varied. These include assisting in conservation and restoration on site, repairing and building stonework, stone cutting and carving (where applicable), building dry stone walls and mortar walls, pointing, underpinning, flaunching/capping of walls and working with and mixing mortar, lime and cement.

The following list of duties and skills is indicative of the role of Craft Stonemason and Stonecutter but does not set out the full range of duties that may be assigned to the appointee as and when required: -

• Repairing and building stonework, blockwork and brickwork;
• Building of stone walls, dry and mortar walls, sorting of stone, loading and unloading stone, pointing, underpinning, flashing of walls and any other masonry related work;
• Reading drawings and setting out works relating to masonry, brick and block;
• Working with and mixing mortar, lime and cement;
• Working alongside other skilled and non-skilled people, reporting directly to supervisor. Liaising with Foreperson regarding stone related work;
• Liaising with Foreperson/Chargehand regarding site related work e.g. ordering materials in advance and keeping site work ongoing;
• Reading drawings and working to them. Providing and taking templates for carpentry, masonry and other trades. Understanding and reading levels from drawings;
• Mentoring, monitoring and supervision of Apprentices;
• Assisting in Conservation and Restoration works at relevant sites and repairing historic stonework;
• Operating machinery in workshop including power tools;
• Driving a mobile maintenance unit vehicle as required;
• Working on scaffolding, operating equipment and machinery;
• Complying with Health & Safety Requirements;
• Keeping work areas clean, tidy and safe;
• Maintain ISO records and communications, as required;
• Driving and looking after the official vehicle, loading and unloading equipment and materials;
• Ordering and collecting materials required for works;
• Reporting any accidents and misuse of plant, materials and machinery to the District Works Manager/Foreperson/Chargehand;
• Ensuring the safekeeping of all plant, tools, equipment and materials in your charge, or in use by others on the sites within your charge;
• Attending training courses in conservation, construction, supervision and health and safety as required by the Department;
• Assisting in all other duties as may be directed by the District Works Manager/Foreperson/Chargehand;
• Co-operation with the introduction of new work practices and technology;
• Carrying out activities in line with National Monuments Service safety systems including preparation of Safe Systems of Work Plans (SSWP’s), with reference to Safety Policies, Activity Risk Assessments and Safe Operating Procedures (SOP’s);
• Carrying out other duties which are considered appropriate to the grade.

A Craft Stonemason and Stonecutter 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;
• 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.