General Operative Company: Horizon House Group Based at: Cedar Lodge Hotel Role Summary The General Operative plays a key role in supporting the day-to-day operations of the accommodation centre, ensuring a safe, clean, functional, and welcoming environment for all residents, staff, and visitors. Working within an International Protection Accommodation Centre in Ireland and in line with the operational guidance of the Department of Justice, the role contributes to the effective delivery of essential accommodation services. The post holder carries out a range of duties across night porter services, housekeeping, reception support, and kitchen supervision. Responsibilities include maintaining cleanliness of communal areas, supporting safe and hygienic kitchen operations, providing professional front-desk assistance, and ensuring overnight safety and security of the premises. The role requires responding promptly to resident queries, operational issues, and safety concerns, while maintaining accurate records and clear communication with management. The General Operative works closely with colleagues within the centre and liaises with external contractors where required to ensure services are delivered efficiently and in compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, and child protection regulations. The role also involves monitoring the condition of facilities, identifying potential issues before they escalate, and reporting concerns in a timely manner. Success in this position requires flexibility, strong teamwork, effective communication skills, cultural awareness, and a proactive approach to maintaining high standards across all operational areas of the centre. Desirable Qualifications QQI Level 4 or 5 Award in Hospitality, Social Care, Healthcare, Community Care, or a related field Food Safety / HACCP Training Certificate Manual Handling Certification First Aid Fire Safety / Fire Warden Training Desirable Experience Previous experience working in an International Protection Accommodation Centre or IPAS-contracted site under the oversight of the Department of Justice Experience in a multi-functional role covering housekeeping, reception, kitchen support, or security/night porter duties Experience working in residential accommodation, hotels, hostels, or community housing settings Experience supporting vulnerable individuals or working within diverse and multicultural communities Experience in customer service or front-desk administration Experience monitoring premises during night shifts, including incident logging and emergency response Experience supporting food service operations in compliance with food safety and hygiene standards Experience handling conflict situations and applying de-escalation techniques Experience completing incident reports and maintaining accurate operational records Accountability Operational Standards: Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, safety, and service delivery across housekeeping, reception, kitchen supervision, and night porter functions. Health & Safety Compliance: Adhering to all relevant health, safety, fire safety, food hygiene, and safeguarding regulations and centre policies, ensuring a safe environment for residents, staff, and visitors. Resident Welfare & Professional Conduct: Treating all residents and visitors with dignity, respect, and cultural sensitivity, always maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Security & Incident Response: Monitoring the premises during assigned shifts (including night duty), responding appropriately to incidents or emergencies, and escalating concerns to management in line with centre procedures. Reporting & Documentation: Accurately completing incident reports, maintenance logs, cleaning records, and shift handover notes in a timely manner. Confidentiality & Data Protection: Maintaining strict confidentiality regarding resident information and complying with data protection requirements. Team Collaboration: Working cooperatively with colleagues, management, and external contractors to ensure smooth day-to-day operations of the centre. Resource Management: Using equipment, cleaning materials, and supplies responsibly and reporting shortages or damage promptly. Continuous Improvement: Identifying potential risks or service improvements and proactively communicating recommendations to management. Training, Supervision & Development The General Operative must undertake and successfully complete all mandatory training (e.g., Health & Safety, First Aid, Manual Handling). They will participate in quarterly supervision with the Centre Manager. A formal annual performance appraisal will be conducted. Health & Safety All staff are required to read, understand, and comply with the Safety, Health, and Welfare Manual in accordance with the Safety, Health, and Welfare Act 2005. It is the responsibility of every employee to ensure that they work safely and contribute to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for themselves, colleagues, residents, and visitors. The General Operative is expected to familiarise themselves with all relevant Health & Safety policies and procedures, actively support their implementation in daily tasks, and promptly communicate any safety concerns or suggestions to Centre management. This includes identifying potential hazards, participating in risk assessments, and taking appropriate action to prevent accidents or incidents. The Company's Safety, Health, and Welfare Manual will be provided to all staff as part of the induction process. It is always readily available at reception for reference. Staff are encouraged to review the manual regularly to remain up to date with current safety practices and ensure full compliance with legislative requirements. Fire Safety All staff must read the Fire Policy and Procedures and be familiar with the Fire Evacuation process. Fire safety is a shared responsibility. Compliance The General Operative must: Familiarise yourself with and fully understand all Policies and Procedures. Adhere to all prescribed processes and guidelines in the performance of your duties. Report any hazards promptly to Centre Management or via the designated reporting forms. Notify the Centre Manager of all identified risks to ensure timely mitigation. Treat all information regarding residents, staff, or any business operations as strictly confidential. Any breach of confidentiality may result in disciplinary action. Reports It is the responsibility of the General Operative to ensure that the following reports are completed and issued on time. Risk Identification Sheet Issued to: Centre Manager or Reception Officer. Issued when: Any identified risks must be recorded and submitted to the Centre Manager on the same day. Incident or Accident Issued to: Centre Manager. Issued when: Details of any incident or accident must be recorded on the appropriate form and submitted to the Centre Manager on the same day. Comments, Compliments and Complaints Issued to: Centre Manager. Issued when: Details of the Comment, Compliment or Complaint recorded on the appropriate form and left for the manager on the same day. Daily Housekeeping Log Issued to: Centre Manager. Issued when: All daily housekeeping activities must be recorded and submitted to the Centre Manager weekly or upon request. Residents Maintenance Book Issued to: Residents. Issued when: Must be checked daily. Pre-Use Ladder Safety Check Log Issued to: Centre Manager. Issued when: Must be completed before using a ladder and submitted to the Centre Manager after each use. Shower Door Safety Weekly Inspection Log Issued to: Centre Manager. Issued when: Must be completed weekly for all glass shower doors.
