Assistant Planner

Appointment

Prior to a candidate being appointed, the Council will make all such enquiries that are deemed necessary to determine the suitability of that candidate. Please note, if you receive an offer of employment from Cork City Council, you will be required to provide the contact details of two referees. Referees will not be contacted without prior notice and permission.

Until all stages of the recruitment process have been fully completed, a final determination cannot be made, nor can it be deemed or inferred that such a determination has been made.

Period of Acceptance

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

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 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.

Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health it may be necessary for the successful candidate, before they are appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority.

Garda Vetting

Posts may come within the scope of the Local Authorities Garda Vetting Scheme. Accordingly, candidates may be requested to complete and sign a Consent Form to permit the required vetting to be completed, in respect of candidates to whom the position will be offered, prior to taking up duty.

If a post comes within the scope of the Local Authorities Garda Vetting Scheme a Garda clearance check will be carried out prior to your appointment to the Council. Accordingly, candidates may be required to complete and sign a Consent Form to permit the required vetting to be completed prior to taking up duty.

A record of an offence will not necessarily disqualify applicants as each application will be considered on its merits. However, applicants are required to declare any offence for which they have been charged or convicted. Applicants are advised to declare any charges that are pending as they could lead to an individual being discharged from the Council. Failure to disclose information when required to do so, will render an application void and in the event that an applicant has been employed it may result in termination of employment.

Should an applicant be charged with an offence between the dates of the application and appointment they must notify the Council in writing, as this may affect employment in the Council.

PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Salary

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The awarding of increments is subject to satisfactory service. Holders of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

Applicants should note that entry point to the salary scale will be determined in accordance with circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning, & Local Government. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Duties

In accordance with Section 159(3) & (4) of Local Government Act 2001 an employee of the local authority shall perform the duties of the office and give the local authority under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other officer as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an executive, administrative or management nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties and to exercise such powers, duties and functions as may be delegated to them by the Chief Executive from time to time including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by the local authority and such duties as may be required in relation to the area of any local authority. The holder of the office will, if required, act for an officer of a higher level.

Probation

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a Local Authority is appointed to a position, the following shall apply:

a) there shall be a period after such appointment takes effect during which such person shall hold the post on probation.

b) such period shall be determined by Cork City Council and may be extended at the discretion of the Director of Human Resources.

c) such person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Director of Human Resources has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory based on the recommendation of the relevant Director of Service/Head of Department.

Hours of Duty

All hours worked will be subject to the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001.

Superannuation Contribution

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children).

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

All persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority for the first time on or after 1st January 2013 will be liable to pay Class A PRSI Contribution and will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute at the rate of 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration plus 3% of pensionable remuneration.

Retirement Age

Retirement age will be determined based on previous public sector service and will be advised at the time of appointment.

Residence

Holders of a post shall reside in the district in which duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof, at a location acceptable to the City Council.

Training

The successful candidate may, from time to time, be required to attend training deemed by the Council to be necessary for any post.

Driving Licence

If an employee of Cork City Council operates a vehicle in the course of their duties, they must hold a current, valid driving licence for the appropriate vehicle class. This license must be free from convictions and medical limitations that do not permit them or prevent them driving their own vehicle, or a vehicle provided by Cork City Council.

It is the employee's responsibility to:

a) Indemnify Cork City Council on their personal insurance policy.

b) Ensure that their policy includes appropriate business class coverage.

c) Ensure their vehicle is roadworthy and fit for use on public roads.

If your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive penalty points that affect your ability to perform your duties, you are obliged to inform Cork City Council immediately.

Travel

Travel and subsistence expenses will be paid in accordance with the agreed rates which may be revised from time to time.

Safety

The successful candidate must comply with safety policy and directives in force.

The above represents the principal conditions of service and is not intended to be the comprehensive list of all terms and conditions of employment which will be set out in the employment contract of the successful candidate.

GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION

Cork City Council is committed to protecting your personal data and we comply with our obligations under the Data Protection Acts, 1988 – 2018, and the General Data Protection Regulation.

Basis for Processing your Personal Information

The basis for processing your personal data is to process your application for the position you have applied for with Cork City Council under the Terms of the Employment (Information) Act 1994 and Human Resources Department policies and procedures.

Personal data sought for the purpose of recruitment will include your name, your contact details including email address and mobile number, particulars of education, details recording your record of employment, details of referees and confirmation of if you require an employment permit /visa/ or work authorisation.

When your application form is received, we create an electronic record in your name, which contains much of the personal information you have supplied. This personal record is used solely in processing your candidature. You are entitled to obtain at any time, a copy of information about you, which is kept electronically.

Sharing of Information

Outside of the relevant recruitment team, the information provided in your application form will only be shared for progressing the competition for which you have applied for, with a designated short-listing and/or interview board.

If, following the competition, you are placed on a Panel and offered a position, the information provided in your application form will form part of your Personal File and may be used for deciding the post to which you are assigned.

Furthermore, should you be offered a position and subsequently confirm your interest in the position, the information provided on your application form will be used to request service queries, employment references and/or character references as required.

Storage period

Your application will be retained for one year from the date a panel for a position is formed. In exceptional circumstances panels can be extended for an additional year and your personal data will be kept until the extension has expired (usually a further one year). You will be notified if the panel has been extended after one year and the new expiry date of the panel. Applications which are unsuccessful at interview stage will be retained for one year. Applications that are not progressed to interview stage will be destroyed post competition.

If you do not furnish the personal data requested, Cork City Council will not be able to progress your application form for the competition for which you are applying.