Assistant Parks & Landscape Officer

Galway City is located on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay. It covers approximately 50 square kilometres of land and has a population of 83,456 (CSO, Census 2022). It is divided by the River Corrib that flows from Lough Corrib, directly north of the city boundary extents. The City is bound by the edge of Galway Bay, a natural harbour. Lough Atalia, a large 50 HA estuarine lagoon, is located on the east side of the city and is a dominant landscape feature.

Galway is a diverse, multi-cultural city where almost one third of people are non-Irish. The population of the City is growing and the growth of the City reflects the global trend of urbanisation and the attractiveness of Galway as a place to live, work, study, and visit. Galway has a diverse and unique landscape for people to explore, and the City offers a wealth of high quality recreational spaces and opportunities. The City’s situation on the coast is ingrained within its cultural identity. Galway boasts a wide variety of beaches including Blackrock with its iconic diving board, Salthill and Ballyloughane Beach. The Promenade (also referred to as the ‘The Prom’) is a key connecting active travel route that runs parallel to the coastal edge. The Three City Parks (Barna Woods, Merlin Woods and Terryland Forest Park) are large patches of woodland that support a range of passive and active recreational activities. There are numerous walking trails throughout the City Parks with areas of unprogrammed space that offer a chance to immerse oneself in natural spaces or engage socially. The City Parks promote a strong sense of community and local connection.

The Recreation & Amenity Department manages and is responsible for the network of public parks, woodlands, civic spaces, play facilities, skate-parks, all-weather sports facilities, tennis and basketball courts, natural sports pitches, allotments and community gardens, dressing rooms, recreation centres, a boxing club and snooker hall, beaches, bathing areas and changing facilities, diving and swim facilities, life guard facilities and staffing, water safety infrastructure, natural and man-made heritage conservation, cemeteries, housing estate open space management, road side amenities and roundabouts. The above is a non-exhaustive list and as Galway City expands so do our facilities. Our work involves maintenance of existing facilities, development management control and the advancement of new facilities or refurbishments through the Capital Programmes.

The Objective of the Department is to maintain and improve the quality of existing facilities which includes ensuring the retention of Green Flag status in our parks, blue flags and green coast awards for our beaches and coastal areas. Also to develop and promote the provision of high quality recreational, leisure and amenity facilities for all age groups and abilities. Enhance the quality of life for our citizens and visitors alike.

The Priorities of the Department for include the following:

·       Implementation of the Green Spaces Strategy & the Galway City Recreation and Amenity needs strategy.

·       Establish and implement the Galway City Bio Diversity Plan 2025 to 2030

·       Progress Policies and Procedures for all areas to provide for enhanced biodiversity and greening of our City and to provide for equality for all ages and abilities in accessing and utilising our facilities including open spaces, buildings & facilities management.

·       Advance a large range of projects within Recreation & Amenity set out and revised in our 3 year Capital Programme

·       Establish Maintenance plans and schedules for existing and new infrastructure.

·       Support unplanned events to put in place solutions when the arise.

·       Review and input into outdoor events in open green spaces, parks woodlands, beaches etc.

·       Review, update and introduce By-Laws.

·       Engage with the public, Councillors, politicians, stakeholders, as required on planned and unplanned events/projects.

Review and inputs into planning applications, small to large scale housing developments, other all developments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Parks and Landscape Officer’s role & responsibility will be as a key team member in Galway City Council’s Recreation & Amenity Department to manage, conserve and develop its large asset base portfolio of Parks, Woodlands, Sports fields, All Weather Facilities, Residential Open Spaces, Civic Spaces, River Walks, Leisure Trails, Beaches, Promenades, Cemeteries, Marine, Coastal Wetland & Karst Limestone Habitats (EU Habitat Directive sites) and more.

This is a collaborative role working in a dynamic environment with competing deadlines supporting a highly skilled team. Daily duties of the role include assisting senior landscape architects, supporting senior engineers and ecologists, liaising with community groups and elected representatives, preparing project documentation, developing planting plans, onsite visits with outdoor staff and contributing to the creation of sustainable and innovative landscape solutions.

The ideal candidate enjoys working with people and is passionate about communities and providing excellent customer service. The candidate will be proactive and is willing to work on multi-site-based projects as well as being office based. A full clean driver’s license and flexibility to travel between project sites is a requirement.

A key objective for the department is to deliver excellent public realm projects and new amenity facilities for communities across the city with a particular focus on underserved and underrepresented communities. Developing good public participation systems within the department for groups such as young people and children, older people and people with disabilities is an important component of delivering successful public realm for communities. The type of candidate we are looking for has a keen interest in improving outcomes for communities, enjoys meeting new people and assisting in organising public events.

A key objective of the department is to work with volunteer groups in the city and resident associations in the estates, to deliver initiatives for biodiversity friendly landscape management practices, such as the Health Green Spaces Initiative. A keen interest in working with the public to deliver biodiversity projects is important.

In addition to the above, the type of candidate we are looking for has a solid background in landscape design and a passion for plants, trees, communities and biodiversity. The ideal candidate has an interest in learning how to plan landscapes at city scale level and who cares about solving problems on the ground and relishes attention to detail in design finishes. We are looking for a person who is motivated by delivering excellent public service.

The candidate will have demonstratable experience in design brief development and preparation of tender documents for procurement of consultancy and contractor services is important; Experience in monitoring, tracking and reporting at various stages of planning, tendering, procurement, pre-construction, construction and post construction stages for landscape projects is a distinct advantage for the role.

The ideal candidate will be a person who possesses a mix of technical abilities (AutoCAD, preparing planting plans, ordering hard and soft materials, GIS an advantage) and site management experience (dealing with landscaping contractors, nurseries, hard landscaping suppliers).

The Assistant Parks and Landscape Officer will have a significant function as part of the Recreational and Amenity Department’s Team in a supporting and technical capacity role to assist in the delivery of the Departments priorities as listed above and specifically including the following:

·       Undertake the procurement and management of landscape maintenance contracts;

·       Responsible for the delivery of assigned actions and supporting other team members:

o   in the advancement and development of the objectives and actions set out in the Green spaces strategy, Galway City Recreation & Amenity Needs Strategy, the All Ireland Pollinator Plan and Galway City Biodiversity Plan;

o   Drafting of Natural Environment policies & procedures including Invasive Species Management Plans, Noxious Weed Species Management, Controlled Diseases (as identified by the Department of Agriculture);

·       Responsible for the delivery assigned actions within our department Climate action plan to meet our 2030 targets

·       Responsible for the delivery of assigned actions in the Annual Service delivery plan and team development plans

·       Prepare draft management plans for our major park and sports facilities for sign off by Senior management including maintenance plans

·       Prepare the annual compilation of application documents for the An Taisce Green Flag Competition;

·       Preparation of reports for Submission to Council, Senior Management Department, the Department of Housing Planning & Local Government, the Department of Children & Youth Affairs & the Department of Arts, Heritage and as part of development control;

·       Prepare the monthly and annual reports for senior management and Council members and meetings

·       Participate in the design of a strategic framework of public realm and floral projects across the City; working with other departments as necessary

·       Provide technical support and expertise to the Engineering Team in areas covered by Horticultural, soil Sciences & Arboriculture fields.

·       Provide technical inputs in the design and development of minor works contracts involving soft works and tree/hedge conservation.

·       Providing Horticultural and Arboriculture expertise and responses to queries received from Residents Associations, Community Groups and Environmental

·       Providing essential inputs for Risk Assessments for Horticultural Works areas including Pesticide specification use, Horticultural Machinery, Soil & Fertiliser requirements (avoiding contamination);

·       Assisting & Certifying contract works involving horticultural & agronomy works (eg. Sport-field over sowing).

·       Supervision of staff inclusive of outdoor staff.

·       Undertake reviews and assess planning applications against Galway City Council Parks policy.

·       Manage and provide technical input where necessary on enforcement/legal matters regarding our parks.

·       Review and advise on planning applications regarding adherence to Galway City Council Green spaces policies.

·       Working with local residents and representative groups on green space development.

·       Providing input and undertaking development and revision of Galway City Council Parks policies and bye-laws

Other duties relevant to the post as may be determined from time to time.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

1.     Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2.     Health

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

3.     Citizenship:

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

                 i.          A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

               ii.          A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

             iii.          A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

             iv.          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

               v.          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

             vi.          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

4.     Education, Training, Experience, etc.

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

(a)  Hold a qualification in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Arboriculture, Natural or Environmental Science (Level 8 or Higher on the National Framework of Qualifications);

(b)  Have not less than two years post graduate satisfactory experience of planning, design, development and management of one or more of the following: Parks, Heritage Landscapes and Gardens, Open Spaces, Green Infrastructure, Public Realm and Urban Design, Urban Forests, Sports Grounds, Recreation and Play Facilities, Burial Grounds, Community Gardens and Allotments;

(c)   Possess a high standard of professional competence and experience;

(d)  Have good communication skills, ability to work on their own initiative and as a team member

Driving Licence Requirement Applicants should at the date of applying hold a full unendorsed valid Irish/EU licence, for Class B vehicles, or a licence acceptable to NDLS for transfer to full Irish licence (link below)

https://www.ndls.ie/help/faq.html#exchange-of-foreign-driving-licences

*Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

Desirable

It is desirable that candidates should have the following:

·       a satisfactory knowledge of the principles of parks design.

·       satisfactory professional knowledge and experience of public realm, landscape and urban design.

·       qualification, ability and experience in the technical design and presentation of parks and open spaces and projects.

·       competence in landscape design and technical ability in terms of project design, description, drawings and presentation.

·       knowledge of the legislation, policies, procedures and regulations guiding the design, operation and management of the public realm.

·       knowledge of current recreational needs, interests, trends and facilities.

·       knowledge of the methods, techniques and requirements for the upkeep of buildings, facilities, grounds and equipment.

·       knowledge of the principles and practices in the management of natural resources within parks and open spaces.

·       knowledge of public relations and possess good interpersonal and communication skills and have the ability to engage with a wide range of people.

·       knowledge of public procurement processes.

·       knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, their implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace.

·       good organisation skills.

·       excellent interpersonal and communication skills and have the ability to engage with a wide range of people.

·       the capacity to work on his/her own initiative.

·       competency in the area of information technology with well-developed skills including presentation work.

·       an aptitude for problem solving.

·       an understanding of Local Authority services and structures or have the ability to quickly acquire same.

·       Strong computer skills and CAD experience would be beneficial

·       GIS knowledge and experience would be desirable

Each candidate must include in the application details of all qualifications obtained by them. The invitation to attend for Interview is not to be regarded as an admission that you possess the prescribed qualifications and/or requirements for this post or are you qualified by law to hold the post. Documentary proof will be required before appointment where you claim credit for particular qualification, experience, etc.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

Key Competencies for the post are given in the table below. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application and at interview of competence under each of these headings.

Strategic Management & Change

·       Strategic Ability

Displays the ability to think and act strategically to ensure that functional responsibility is properly aligned with the purpose, mission and vision of Galway City Council.

Is effective in translating the vision of the Corporate Plan into operational plans and outputs as it relates to Procurement.

·       Networking and Representing

Establishes, maintains, participates and contributes to networks and works collaboratively with stakeholders to enhance the procurement objectives of the Council. Sustains a positive image and profile of Galway City Council.

·       Political Awareness

Has a clear understanding of the political reality and context of the Council.

·       Bringing about Change

Effectively introduces change. Overcomes resistance to change. Demonstrates flexibility and openness to change.

Delivering Results and Communicating Effectively

·       Problem Solving and Decision Making

Pinpoints the critical information and can address issues logically. Understands the context and impact of decisions made. Acts decisively and makes timely, informed and effective decisions.

·       Operational Planning

Contributes to operational plans and develops team plans in line with priorities and actions for their areas of responsibility, having regard for operational objectives of the Council and available resources. Plan and prioritise work and resources effectively.

·       Managing Resources

Manages the allocation, use and evaluation of resources to ensure efficient delivery of objectives.

·       Communicates Effectively

Recognises the value of and requirement to communicate effectively with all colleagues and stakeholders. Has effective verbal and written communication skills. Presents ideas effectively to individuals and groups.

Performance Through People

·       Leading and Motivating

Leads, motivates and engages other to achieve quality results and Corporate objectives. Leads by example in terms of commitment, flexibility and a strong customer service ethos.

·       Managing Performance

Effectively manages performance including underperformance or conflict. Empowers and encourages people to deliver their part of the operational plan.

PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Type of Post

Future relevant permanent and temporary posts will be filled from the panel(s) formed. The post(s) will be whole-time, permanent/temporary and pensionable.

Remuneration

The annual salary (Circular EL 02-2026, Revised Local Authority Scales Operative from 1 February 2026) is as follows:

(Analogous to pay scale of Assistant Engineer)

Point

01/02/2026

€47,770 - €74,068

IMPORTANT NOTE: Candidates should note that the starting salary is not subject to negotiation. Entry into the pay scale above the minimum point will only apply to existing public servants in the context of the relevant Government Pay Circulars. Candidates who are not covered by such Circulars will enter the pay scale at the minimum point i.e. €47,770.

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. The holder of the office 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 office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.