Animal Warden

THE JOB

Dublin City Council is seeking to recruit Animal Wardens who will carry out a frontline operational role in delivering its citywide Animal Welfare and Control Services. The Animal Warden will work as part of the wider Animal Welfare team to provide Dog Warden Services, respond to reports of animal welfare concerns, the enforcement of breaches of animal control legislation as well as providing advice and guidance to queries from the general public in relation to animal welfare and owner’s responsibility.

This will be done in a regulatory environment where specific responsibility will be designated under the relevant legislation to be enforced in the Dublin City administrative area. The Animal Wardens will report to the Assistant Inspector in Animal Welfare and Control Services or such other line manager as may be designated from time to time by the City Council.

The person employed as Animal Warden shall, under the direction and supervision of the appropriate officer / s, be responsible primarily for the implementation of the provisions of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 and the Control of Horses 1996 Acts and any other appropriate enactments (and any regulations made thereunder) in respect of the administrative area of Dublin City Council (which may occasionally extend outside the City boundary) and such other duties as may be assigned by the Council from time to time.

This is a demanding position with responsibility for the effective delivery of a frontline service that is of statutory importance and is open to constant public scrutiny. The role will involve duties of an enforcement and investigative nature. Good judgement and decision making skills will be required in a law enforcement work environment that will present challenging situations from time to time. The ability to understand, convey and apply the law in a safe and respectful manner is central to this role.

While an understanding of the relevant legislation and a strong empathy towards the welfare of all animals is essential each candidate will receive comprehensive training in animal care and safe handling techniques.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE SHALL

• Have experience in enforcement, security and / or statutory regulatory role.

• Have a genuine interest in animal welfare and be enthusiastic about pursuing a career in this field.

• Have some knowledge and awareness of Animal Welfare and an understanding of the ‘Five Freedoms’ of animal welfare.

• Have a good awareness and understanding of individual employee’s responsibility for compliance with measures put in place under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.

• Be willing and able to take instruction and follow through on tasks in accordance with agreed policies and procedures.

• Have an ability to work on their own initiative, and without constant supervision.

• Be reliable and flexible and be willing to work collaboratively in a positive team environment.

• Have an outgoing personality with excellent communication, interpersonal and customer service skills.

• Be confident and have an appropriate level of personal resilience to deal with challenging, potentially confrontational situations.

• Have an ability and a willingness to learn to use any equipment, information systems and new technology relevant to the role.

• Have an ability and willingness to learn and execute new practical skills and participate in appropriate training as and when required.

QUALIFICATIONS

CHARACTER

Each candidate shall be of good character.

HEALTH

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed applications:

• Have attained such a standard of education as would enable the candidate to carry out efficiently the duties of the post, including the writing of clear and concise reports.

• Have satisfactory experience of compliance with Health and Safety legislation in the workplace, (both indoor and outdoor).

• Have satisfactory experience of working in a team environment.

• Have a satisfactory awareness of Animal Welfare legislation and regulations in relation to the Control of Horses and the Control of Dogs Acts.

• Have the ability to build and maintain good working relationships with multiple stakeholders e.g. the general public; and external contractors / service providers.

• Possess adequate competence in the use of IT systems.

• Have the ability to gather relevant information and present findings where necessary to line management and adapt for specific purposes e.g. court proceedings.

DESIRABLE

• To have practical experience of an enforcement role.

• To have experience of public engagement.

• To have experience with conflict resolution.

• To have practical experience of working in a live animal environment and a general familiarity with animal care, animal handling and animal behaviour.

• To have worked with dogs and horses, including voluntary work, will be particularly relevant.

On the date of application, the candidate must possess a current full driving licence (Categories B minimum) as they will be required to drive in the course of their duties. A fleet vehicle will be provided to the successful applicant.

DUTIES

The duties of the post include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Respond as appropriate to day to day reports, requests and complaints from the general public relating to a variety of animal welfare and dog warden matters e.g. stray dogs or horses, incidents of dog attack, suspected animal cruelty or neglect. This will be a mix of on site and office based duties to be carried out in accordance with agreed process and procedures under the relevant legislation.

• On site tasks will involve driving a Dublin City Council fleet vehicle to specified locations throughout the city, and will regularly require live animal handling, such as apprehension of stray dogs, dogs involved in incidents of dog attacks etc.

• Making arrangements with Dublin City Council contractors for the removal of horses due to animal welfare issues, straying onto public land etc.

• Regular transport of dogs to and from animal shelter facilities and routine cleaning / disinfection of vehicles and equipment.

• Keeping accurate, timely and complete records on all operational activity using templates, formats and systems.

• Regular co operation and good working relationships with personnel from animal shelter facilities, animal welfare organisations and other parties.

• Regular visible patrols of public areas and open spaces to proactively monitor compliance with animal control legislation.

• Delivery of a work plan to increase levels of dog licence compliance in Dublin City.

• Positive interaction with the general public to increase awareness of owner’s responsibilities.

• Attendance at planned community events and participation in promotional activities to increase general public awareness of Dublin City Council’s Animal Welfare and Control Services.

• To carry out investigations to establish facts where necessary and follow through with appropriate action.

• Serving of statutory notices and issuing of fines as an ‘Authorised Officer’ of Dublin City Council under the various Acts.

• Preparation of written inspection and incident reports in whatever format and for whatever purposes, as may be required from time to time including for legal proceedings.

• Attending court as necessary to present evidence on behalf of Dublin City Council in prosecution of animal welfare cases or non compliance with animal control requirements.

• Assistance of An Garda Síochána as and when requested in planning and execution of operations involving animals and co operation on any follow up actions.

• Attending training courses as required and when directed.

• Compliance at all times with general personal responsibility and work specific measures put in place under Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

• To carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time, without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to, an appropriate Officer or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time by the City Council.

The duties of the post are to give to the local authority and to:

(a) The local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive is Chief Executive, and

(b) To any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or by any of the authorities or bodies referred to in sub paragraph (a) of this paragraph

under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such officers as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate computing, technical, management, administrative, executive, supervisory, advisory and ancillary services as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties and to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to them or by the Chief Executive from time to time including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The holder of the post will, if required, act for an officer of a higher level.

SELECTION PROCESS

Posts of Animal Warden - Animal Welfare and Control Services may be filled from this publicly advertised competition. Selection shall be by means of a competition conducted by or on behalf of Dublin City Council.

• Candidates should note that the information provided by them in their application form and assessment question will form the basis on which eligibility and short listing is conducted.

• Dublin City Council reserves the right to undertake eligibility and / or shortlist candidates in the manner it deems most appropriate.

• A panel may be formed on the basis of interviews. A candidate whose name is on a panel and who satisfies the Council that they possesses the qualifications declared for the post and that they is otherwise suitable for appointment may, within the life of the panel, subject to the appropriate Department of Housing, Plan Local Government and Heritage sanction, be appointed as an appropriate vacancy arises.

• The life of the panel shall be for a period of one year from the date of its formation.

• Dublin City Council shall require any person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up appointment within such period, or such longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, the Council shall not appoint them.

SHORTLISTING

Dublin City Council reserves the right to shortlist candidates to proceed to the interview stage of the competition. Shortlisting of candidates will be on the basis of information supplied on the Application Form, in conjunction with the answers given in the assessment question. It is therefore in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of your qualifications / experience in your application.

The shortlisting process will provide for the assessment of each applicant’s application form against predetermined criteria that reflect the skills and depth of experience considered to be essential for a position at this level.

INTERVIEW

The interview will be competency based and marks will be awarded under the following competencies:

• Planning and Organising

• Interpersonal Understanding / Communications

• Customer Services

• Personal Effectiveness

• Knowledge and Experience

Please see page 9 of the Candidate Information Booklet for more details.

SALARY

The fortnightly salary scale for the position of Animal Warden - Animal Welfare and Control Services is:

€1,405.20; €1,421.98; €1,438.92; €1,455.58; €1,472.44; €1,489.28.

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02 / 2011, a person who is not a serving public service employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point.

Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

Under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013, the working hours for newly appointed / promoted staff are 39 hours per week.

All applicants must refer to the Additional Candidate Information Booklet which can be found at https://careers.dublincity.ie

for additional relevant information pertaining to the salary scale and the recruitment process.

HOURS OF ATTENDANCE

The Animal Warden – Animal Welfare will be required to work 39 hours per week on a number of different shifts. This role will attract a shift allowance. The normal hours of the service are between 9:00 am and 8:00 pm over a seven day week on a rota basis including Public Holidays. The working hours may be subject to alteration having regard to service demands.

The holder of this position may also be required to work outside their assigned hours of duty. Any work which the holder of the post is authorised or required to do after completion of a normal day’s work will be paid at the rates agreed and appropriately sanctioned, or whatever alternative arrangement is applicable.

UNIFORM

As a condition of employment the holder of the post will be required, at all times when on duty, to wear such uniform and / or items of personal protective equipment as are specified from time to time by Dublin City Council.

PARTICULARS OF POSITION

(a) The post is permanent, whole time and pensionable.

(b) Dublin City Council reserves the right to, at any time, assign an employee to any Department now or in the future.

(c) A period of one year’s probation applies where a person is permanently appointed to Dublin City Council.

CITIZENSHIP

Candidates must, by the date of application 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 is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa, or

e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa, or

f) A non EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

Dublin City Council welcomes all nationalities and ethnic backgrounds to join its diverse workforce and we hereby reserve the sole discretion to vary the above requirements from time to time subject to the business needs and staffing requirements.

IRISH PROFICIENCY

As part of our ongoing commitment to support the Irish language, our leadership on the Gaeilge365 programme and to comply with the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, we are gathering information on candidates’ capacity to speak Irish.

Under this legislation, public bodies are required to ensure that 20% of new recruits are capable of performing their duties through Irish by 2030. While this position is not an Irish language speaking role, we are asking all applicants to indicate their current level of Irish language ability.

This information will be used for workforce planning purposes only and will not form part of the selection process for this competition.

ADDITIONAL RELEVANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

• The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 came into effect on 29th April 2016. The Act places a statutory obligation on Dublin City Council to ensure that ‘any work or activity which is carried out by a person, a necessary and regular part of which consists mainly of a person having access to, or contact with children or vulnerable persons will be the subject of Garda Vetting.

• Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, applications will be treated in strict confidence.

• Any attempt by a candidate or by any person / s acting at the candidate’s instigation, directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise, to canvass or otherwise influence in the candidate’s favour, any employee of the City Council or person nominated by the City Council to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the candidate for the position being sought.

• It is important to remember that this is a competitive process for a role where integrity is paramount. Sharing information on the selection / interview process e.g. through social media or any other means, may result in a candidate being disqualified from the competition.

• Dublin City Council does not allow the unsanctioned use of any type of recording equipment on its premises. This applies to any form of sound recording and any type of still picture or video recording, whether including sound recording or not, and covers any type of device used for these purposes.

• An applicant who is found to be ineligible at any stage of the competition will not be further considered. Provision of inaccurate, untrue or misleading information will lead to disqualification from the competition, withdrawal of employment offer or dismissal.

• A candidate who does not attend for interview when and where required by the City Council, or who does not, when requested, furnish such evidence as the City Council requires in regard to any matter relevant to their candidature, will have no further claim to consideration.

• The City Council will not be responsible for any expenses candidates may incur in connection with their candidature.

• The onus is on the candidate to keep a regular check on their Email Account as email notifications of updates may sometimes be filtered into your Junk / Spam email folders. Dublin City Council accepts no responsibility for communication not accessed or received by an applicant.

• Successful candidates will be required to undergo a pre employment medical and reference checks prior to final offer and appointment.