Assistant Engineer

1. The Position

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

The Council may have a requirement for Assistant Engineers across a range of disciplines. The Council’s work covers Environment and Climate Change, Water Services, Planning, Transportation, Fire, and Housing Directorates. Assistant Engineers may also be assigned to any of the five Municipal Districts in Donegal.

It is proposed to form a panel of qualified candidates from which all agreed vacancies will be filled during the lifetime of the panel.

The Assistant Engineer will report directly to the Senior Executive Engineer, or such person as may be assigned from time to time by Donegal County Council. The Assistant Engineer will work as part of a team within any one of the service areas outlined above.

Under the direction and supervision of the appropriate line manager, the post holder will provide engineering or ancillary services of an advisory, supervisory, or executive nature as may be required by the Council in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions, and duties.

2. Duties

Main duties will depend on the actual post but, in general terms, will include the following:

• Assess the nature, level, and pattern of demand for the service in the area/function and recommend priorities to the relevant line manager.
• Implement agreed strategies to meet and expand or improve the range, quantity, or quality of existing services, and recommend changes in strategies as required.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with external agencies and ensure that, in accordance with policy and procedure, programmes of work are coordinated and implemented with the cooperation of all relevant parties.
• Achieve and maintain productive collaboration between elected representatives and the executive realities of the service.
• Achieve and maintain similar collaboration with local development agencies in accordance with evolving policy on closer integration of local government and local development.
• Assist in identifying and agreeing work programmes, targets, and deadlines, and ensure their subsequent implementation.
• Manage and supervise staff when required.
• Work as part of an effective, motivated, and committed team, maintaining sound employee relations and morale in accordance with good employment practice and relevant legislation.
• Work within a cross-functional and multidisciplinary team in line with the executive structures of the Council.
• Implement the systems necessary to support the service.
• Undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as required from time to time.

3. Qualifications

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for the position of Assistant Engineer shall be as set out below.

(a) Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

(b) Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health that indicates a reasonable prospect of rendering regular and efficient service. Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical examination carried out by the Council’s Occupational Health Adviser prior to appointment.

(c) Education and Experience

On the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, candidates must:

(a)

(i) Hold at least an Ordinary Bachelor's Degree (Level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) in Engineering;

OR

(ii) Hold an Ordinary Bachelor's Degree (Level 7 or higher on the NFQ) and a postgraduate Master's Degree (Level 9 on the NFQ) in Engineering;

OR

(iii) Hold a Master's Degree (Level 9 on the NFQ) in Engineering attained after completing an integrated Master's level programme of at least four years' duration, accredited at CEng level by Engineers Ireland or an equivalent international accreditation body.

(b) Have at least two years' satisfactory relevant engineering experience.

(c) Possess a high standard of technical training and experience.

(d) Have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation or the ability to acquire such knowledge.

Please Note

• Non-Irish qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) establishing comparability with the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
• Overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.
• If you believe your pre-2003 diploma has been transmuted to a Level 7 Ordinary Degree worth at least 180 ECTS credits, you must obtain documentation from your college and upload it with your online application.

Note 1

• A Level 7 degree will be assessed on the basis that the period of study undertaken is equivalent to at least 180 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits.
• The educational requirements outlined in this information booklet apply only to the post of Assistant Engineer.
• Eligibility for this post does not imply that your qualifications will satisfy the requirements for more senior engineering posts (e.g. Senior Executive Engineer and above), which have different eligibility criteria.

(d) Desirable Requirements

It is desirable that candidates:

• Have relevant experience in engineering fields including:
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Be self-motivated and show initiative in the workplace.
• Work well as part of a team.
• Have sufficient knowledge and understanding of engineering works.
• Have good judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Have excellent IT skills.
• Have good knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety legislation and regulations.

4. Particulars of the Post(a) General

Donegal County Council proposes to create a panel of qualified candidates for the position of Assistant Engineer from which vacancies will be filled during the lifetime of the panel.

(b) Probation

The successful candidate will be required to serve a probationary period as determined by the Council. This period may be extended at the Council's discretion.

(c) Remuneration

The current annual salary scale is €47,770 to €74,068 (LSI2) in accordance with Circular EL 02/2026.

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

New entrants will commence on the minimum point of the scale.

(d) Base

The base for the post will be determined by the Council and will depend on the particular area and service to which the post holder is assigned.

The role may involve travel, including occasional overnight stays. Associated travel costs will be covered by the appropriate allowances.

(e) Residence

Post holders must reside within the district in which their duties are performed or within a reasonable travelling distance.

(f) Working Hours / Annual Leave

• Normal working hours: 35 hours per week.
• The Council reserves the right to alter working hours from time to time.
• Annual leave will be granted in accordance with Circular LG(P) 07/2011.
• Maximum annual leave entitlement is 30 days.

(g) Requirement to Drive

Candidates must:

• Hold a full current Category B Driving Licence.
• Have their own vehicle available for use while carrying out their duties. Appropriate mileage and travel allowances will apply.

(h) Citizenship Requirements

Eligible candidates must, on the closing date for applications, be:

• A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA), comprising the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway; or
• A citizen of the United Kingdom; or
• A citizen of Switzerland under the EU–Switzerland Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons; or
• A non-EEA citizen who is the spouse or child of an EEA, UK, or Swiss citizen and holds a Stamp 4 visa; or
• A person granted international protection under the International Protection Act 2015, or an eligible family member holding a Stamp 4 visa; or
• A non-EEA citizen who is the parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA Member State, the UK, or Switzerland, and who holds a Stamp 4 visa.

(i) Conflicts of Interest

The post holder must not engage in any gainful occupation, other than employment with a local authority, to an extent that impairs the performance of their duties or conflicts with the interests of the local authority.

(j) Garda Vetting

Candidates for the post of Assistant Engineer may be subject to Garda Vetting.

Appointment is conditional upon obtaining a satisfactory Garda Vetting Disclosure. Failure to do so will result in withdrawal of the employment offer.

Where a Garda Vetting Disclosure indicates that a case is pending, the appointment cannot proceed at that time and the offer will be withdrawn. However, the candidate will retain their place on the panel and may be considered for the next available vacancy during the lifetime of the panel.

5. Recruitment ProcessA. Application Form

• Applications must be submitted using the official online application form.
• All sections of the application form must be fully completed.
• Do not submit a CV. Only the information contained in the online application form will be considered when assessing suitability.
• Applications must be received by the specified closing date.

B. Shortlisting and Interview

Candidates may be shortlisted based on the information provided in their application.

Where shortlisting is required, an Expert Panel will assess applications against predetermined criteria based on the requirements of the role.

Applicants are strongly advised to provide a detailed and accurate account of their qualifications and experience.

Where the number and standard of applications make it reasonable to do so, only candidates considered likely to achieve the required interview standard will be invited to interview.

Interviews will be competency-based and aligned with the competencies identified in the application form. Interviews may take place shortly after the closing date of the competition.

C. Right to Information and Review – #AE002

The Council is committed to providing feedback and information to candidates.

Candidates who wish to request a review of a decision or the recruitment process must submit a written request, stating the grounds for the review, to:

Human Resources Department Three Rivers Centre Lifford Co. Donegal

The request must be received within five working days of notification of the relevant decision.

D. Confidentiality

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