Assistant Civil Defence Officer

The Role

Civil Defence is a volunteer-based organisation that supports front line emergency services in dealing with severe weather, flooding, major accidents, emergency evacuation, and searching for missing people. The service also supports many community events throughout the year, including large events such as air shows, concerts and festivals, sports events, as well as smaller local events such as parades.

Civil Defence services are delivered through the Civil Defence Officer (CDO) of Roscommon County Council, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of Civil Defence matters under the overall direction of the Chief Executive.

The Assistant Civil Defence Officer is a full-time employee of the Local Authority and plays a key role in supporting the Civil Defence Officer in the day-to-day management and strategic development of the Civil Defence Unit. This includes assisting with planning, training, volunteer coordination, emergency response, and community engagement. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate initiative, leadership, and a commitment to public service, and will be required to deputise for the Civil Defence Officer when necessary.

This is a dynamic and rewarding role that offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Roscommon County Council’s emergency preparedness and community resilience. Civil Defence is a volunteer-based organisation that supports the Principal Response Agencies during emergencies and provides assistance at community and civic events. The Assistant Civil Defence Officer will work closely with volunteers, local authority staff, and external agencies to ensure the effective delivery of Civil Defence services.

All members of Civil Defence wear the international symbol of Civil Defence, signifying their place within a global network of trained individuals committed to disaster relief and humanitarian support. This symbol is defined under Article 66, paragraph 4 of Schedule V to the Geneva Conventions Act.

QUALIFICATIONS1. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health

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

3. Education, Training, Experience, etc.

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

• Have completed a Leaving Certificate or equivalent qualification.
• Possess a good standard of administrative experience, including in the use of modern IT systems.
• Experience in the supervision and development of staff/volunteers.
• Experience in record keeping and the management of budgets.
• Experience in adult training and the delivery of training courses.
• Experience in the management of safety and safety management systems.
• Hold a valid Irish/EU full driving licence for Class B vehicles, or a licence acceptable to the NDLS for exchange, free from endorsement and disqualification.

It is desirable that candidates have experience in Civil Defence or in other volunteer-based emergency organisations or in emergency response services.

The ideal candidate shall:

• Have the knowledge and an understanding of the role of Civil Defence.
• Have good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Be able to work on their own initiative as required.
• Have the ability to integrate well with existing Civil Defence volunteers.
• Be willing to work flexible hours as required.
• Have the ability and understanding to follow policy and procedures.
• Have a good working knowledge, or demonstrate an ability to acquire knowledge, of the legal, regulatory, and governance framework within which Roscommon County Council operates and adheres to corporate policies, protocols, and procedures.

4. 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.

Duties

The key duties and responsibilities of the post of Assistant Civil Defence Officer include:

• To assist in the preparation and submission, in a timely manner and in consultation with Local Authority management, of the three-year Civil Defence Plan as required under Section 12 of the Civil Defence Act, 2012.
• To assist the Civil Defence Officer to co-ordinate the arrangements necessary for the implementation of the Civil Defence Plan.
• To assist the Civil Defence Officer with the day-to-day facility management of Civil Defence HQ and all Civil Defence training sites.
• To assist the Civil Defence Officer in the management of the Civil Defence Training Centre and the Civil Defence Vehicle Fleet.
• To assist the Civil Defence Officer in the management and development of the Civil Defence Health and Safety Management System.
• To assist the Civil Defence Officer with the responsibility and upkeep of the Volunteer Equipment Management System (VEMS).
• To assist the Civil Defence Officer in relation to the management of Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) requirements in relation to controlled drugs.
• To represent Civil Defence within local emergency planning structures and to promote good relations with key personnel in each of the local Principal Response Agencies.
• To provide support to the Principal Response Agencies in emergency and non-emergency situations in accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management.
• Develop and build relationships with voluntary organisations within County Roscommon to provide an effective emergency response.
• To deputise in the absence of the Civil Defence Officer and represent Civil Defence on the Crisis Management Team.
• To assist the Civil Defence Officer to formulate, and periodically review, such Civil Defence Plans as are required to comply with its statutory responsibilities.
• To continue the support of local community events and to promote Civil Defence as a community resource within the Local Authority area.
• To implement and comply with the policies, circulars, and guidelines as set out by the Civil Defence Branch of the Department of Defence.
• To attend training provided by the Department of Defence and Roscommon County Council.
• To assist the Civil Defence Officer in arranging for the recruitment, organisation, and management of Civil Defence volunteers.
• To assist, along with 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 carry out 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 carry out 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 maintain adequate records in the manner required and meet any other reporting requirements as may arise.
• Develop the use of emerging technological systems (e.g. drone capability) to enhance Civil Defence volunteers in their role of supporting local Principal Response Agencies.
• To assist the Civil Defence Officer in promoting Civil Defence in the Local Authority area.
• Such other duties appropriate to the office as may be determined from time to time, including emergency duties and duties in relation to the area of any other Local Authority.

The above specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and, consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT1. The Post

The post is whole-time and pensionable. A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year, and this may be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel will be used to fill both permanent and temporary positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

2. Probation

Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a Local Authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold such position on probation.

(b) Such period shall be one year, but the Chief Executive may, at his or her discretion, extend such period.

(c) Such persons shall cease to hold such position at the end of the period of probation unless, during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

3. Remuneration

€36,474 - €56,015 per annum

Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the post shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to and received by them by virtue of their post or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

In accordance with EL02/2011, persons who are not serving Local Authority employees must be placed on the minimum of the scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy.

4. Garda Vetting/Child Safeguarding

Successful candidates will be subject to the Garda Vetting and Child Safeguarding Procedures.

5. Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health, it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo, at their expense, a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the Local Authority.

On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to candidates.

6. Residence

Roscommon County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department, premises, or district in use by the Council, now or in the future.

Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation.

The person appointed will be required to provide themselves, at their own expense, with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

7. Annual Leave

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.

Annual leave entitlement will be 30 days per annum (inclusive of days pre-allocated by Roscommon County Council for the Christmas period).

8. Working Hours

The position of Assistant Civil Defence Officer entails a wide range of duties which require maximum flexibility and will be based on a 35-hour week, which will include weekend and evening working hours without additional remuneration.

All hours worked will be subject to the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, as amended.

The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

9. Travel

When required to do so, holders of the post shall hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and, for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the Local Authority.

If you are required to travel as part of your official duties, Roscommon County Council, as your employer, must be indemnified on your insurance policy.

Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Roscommon County Council’s Travel and Subsistence Policy.

If, during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

10. Location

The headquarters of Roscommon Civil Defence is located in Roscommon Town.

Roscommon County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future.

11. Superannuation

Candidates will be informed of their superannuation position at the time an offer of appointment is being made.