Assistant Civil Defence Officer

THE COMPETITION:

The Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Assistant Civil Defence Officer.

DETAILS AND PARTICULARS:

The Position

Civil Defence is a statutory volunteer-based organisation. It currently has approximately over 3,500 volunteer members nationwide. There is a Civil Defence Unit in each local authority area. The Department of Defence, through its Civil Defence Branch, is responsible for the overall policy direction of Civil Defence.

The Assistant Civil Defence Officer, who is an employee of the local authority, is responsible for assisting the Civil Defence Officer in the day-to-day management of the Civil Defence Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties of the Assistant Civil Defence Officer are as follows:

• To assist the Civil Defence Officer in the preparation and submission in a timely manner and in consultation with local authority management, of the two-year Civil Defence plan, as required under Section 12 of the Civil Defence Act, 2012.

• To assist the Civil Defence Officer in co-ordinating the arrangements necessary for the implementation of the Civil Defence plan.

• To represent Civil Defence on local emergency planning structures and to promote good relations with key personnel in the Principal Response Agencies, where directed to do so by the Civil Defence Officer.

• To assist the Civil Defence Officer in providing support to the Principal Response Agencies in emergency and non-emergency situations in accordance with both the Department of Defence 'Civil Defence – Towards 2030' Policy and the Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2009.

• Prepare for and where/as resources permit, provide support for community, charitable and local authority events, where directed to do so by the Civil Defence Officer.

• To implement/comply with policies, circulars and guidelines as set out by the Civil Defence Branch of the Department of Defence in consultation with their Civil Defence Officer.

• To liaise with the Civil Defence Branch of the Department of Defence on behalf of the local authority and to attend meetings for that purpose.

• To attend training provided by the Department of Defence and the local authority.

• To assist the Civil Defence Officer in arranging for the recruitment, organisation and management of Civil Defence volunteers.

• To assist the Civil Defence Officer in arranging and ensuring Civil Defence volunteers are appropriately trained, including mandatory training, facilitating progression of training for volunteers, and completing an annual training needs analysis.

• To follow instructions issued by the Department of Defence in relation to the processing of the annual operational grant and any other grants that are provided.

• To follow instructions issued by the local authority/Department of Defence for the purchase, care, maintenance, issue and control of Civil Defence uniforms, vehicles and equipment.

• To assist the Civil Defence Officer in maintaining adequate records, including ongoing completion of the Volunteer Register in the manner required and any other reporting requirements as may arise.

• To assist the Civil Defence Officer in promoting Civil Defence in the local authority area.

• Such other Civil Defence duties appropriate to the office as the Chief Executive of the Local Authority and/or Department of Defence may assign, including emergency duties and duties in relation to the area of any other local authority.

• To participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade.

• To be in compliance with Health and Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and safe systems of work.

• To deputise for the Civil Defence Officer or equivalent.

• To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required or assigned, from time to time.

Notwithstanding the requirements of the post, successful applicants may be assigned to any service area/role within the Local Authority at an analogous level by the Chief Executive at any time.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST:

Character

Each candidate must 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. Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical examination carried out by the Council's Occupational Medical Advisor prior to appointment.

Citizenship

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, 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, 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, the UK or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa.

Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, possess:

a) Administrative experience including the use of modern IT systems.

b) Experience in record keeping and the management of budgets.

c) Experience in the supervision, leadership and management of people.

d) Experience in adult training and the delivery of training courses.

e) Experience in the management of safety and safety management systems.

f) A good general standard of education.

g) A full, clean Class B driving licence.

Relevant experience in emergency or volunteer emergency organisations would be an advantage.

Candidates will be required to demonstrate the following knowledge, experience and skills:

• Knowledge and an understanding of the role of Civil Defence.

• Good interpersonal and communication skills.

• Experience in the relevant items listed previously.

• General suitability.

Probation

The successful candidate shall be required to be on probation for an initial period, as determined by the Council. This period may be extended at the discretion of the Council.

Salary

Remuneration will be at the Assistant Civil Defence Officer national wage scales.

The present minimum scale is €36,474 increasing to €56,015 per annum (including LSIs), with annual increments subject to satisfactory performance via PMDS. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Garda Vetting/Child Protection

Successful candidates will be subject to the Garda Vetting Procedures.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement for this post will be 30 days per annum.

Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

Working Hours

The post entails a wide range of duties which require maximum flexibility and will be based on a 35-hour week. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

Pension

The Local Government Superannuation Scheme applies.

Acceptance of Offer of Employment

Cavan County Council shall require persons to whom appointments are offered to take up such appointments within a period of not more than one month. If they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, Cavan County Council shall not appoint them.