Civil Defence Officer

The Position

The Council now invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent and fixed term contract posts for the position of Civil Defence Officer be drawn. Civil Defence is a statutory volunteer-based organisation. It currently has approximately 2,500 volunteer members nationally. The Department of Defence, through its Civil Defence Branch, is responsible for the overall policy direction of Civil Defence.

There is a Civil Defence Unit in each local authority area and the Civil Defence Officer, who will be an employee of the local authority and will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Civil Defence Unit.

Duties & Responsibilities

• 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 8 of the Civil Defence Act, 2023 • To manage the day-to-day activities of the Civil Defence Unit, co-ordinating the arrangements necessary for the implementation of the Civil Defence plan and the safe completion of duties, including but not limited to risk assessment and appropriate resourcing of all duties, ensuring that duties are completed within the agreed standard operating guidelines and policies, and responsible officer for the management of controlled drugs • To represent Civil Defence on local emergency planning structures and to promote good relations with key personnel in the Principal Response Agencies • To provide support to the Principal Response Agencies in emergency and non-emergency situations in accordance with the 2015 White Paper on Defence, the Towards 2030 policy document and the Framework for Major Emergency Management • Where resources permit, to provide support for community, charitable and local authority events • To implement and comply with policies, circulars and guidelines (including the Civil Defence Act (Code of Practice) Regulations 2023) as set out by the Civil Defence Branch of the Department of Defence in consultation with their Line Manager • 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 arrange for the recruitment, organisation and management of Civil Defence volunteers • To ensure that Civil Defence volunteers are appropriately trained including mandatory training, to facilitate progression of training for volunteers, including 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 maintain adequate records, including ongoing completion of the Volunteer and Equipment Management System, in the manner required and any other reporting requirements as may arise • To promote 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 • Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time

The post holder may be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to an appropriate Officer or such duties as designated from time to time.

Qualifications for the Post

Candidates shall be of good character.

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

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

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.

Candidates must have on the latest date of receipt of completed application forms:

a) Possess a good standard of education.

b) Shall hold a full, clean Class B, Class C1 and D1 driving licence.

c) Have a good standard of administrative experience including the use of IT

d) Proven track record of financial planning and budget monitoring, procurement procedures, and the effective management of resources

e) Experience in the supervision and development of staff/volunteers

*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.

In the context of key duties and responsibilities for the post of Civil Defence Officer, the ideal candidate will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, experience and competencies;

a) Excellent knowledge and understanding of the role of the Civil Defence Officer and Civil Defence in a Local Authority.

b) Understanding of the structures and environment within which the local authority sector operates and the role of the Civil Defence Officer in this context.

c) Experience of managing and supervising volunteers including the development of staff and volunteers.

d) Proficiency in IT and administration skills.

e) Ability to demonstrate an understanding of financial planning, budget monitoring, procurement procedures, and the effective management of resources to support operational objectives.

f) Strong organisational and leadership skills.

g) Good interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage and work with external stakeholders.

h) Health & Safety and risk management training would be desirable.

i) Demonstrate a clear understanding of managing resources in an operational environment.

j) Previous experience in an emergency response volunteer management role is desirable.

Particulars of Office (including retirement)

A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel may be used to fill permanent & fixed term positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. Vacancies may arise on a county-wide basis. Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign employees to any work location having regard to funding and/or operational circumstances.

The current salary for the post of Civil Defence Officer is €58,474 – €71,437 per annum (including Long Service Increments), which is analogous Senior Staff Officer pay scale as per Circular EL 04/2026. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance.

Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with the Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

New Entrants to the Local Authority Service commence on the 1st point of the scale in accordance with current Government Policy as set out in Department of the Environment Circular Letter EL 02/2011 of 28th January 2011 and Circular EL 05/2016 dated 5th February 2016.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee’s nominated bank account. The current pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions e.g. PAYE and PRSI. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance, and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

You agree that in the event of an overpayment of salary or other monies to you, the Council reserves the right to deduct monies from your “wages” (for the purposes of the Payment of Wages Act, 1991) for the purpose of reimbursement of the Council of the amount of the overpayment(s), in keeping with the Payment of Wages Act 1991, Section 5(5).

Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details of the relevant scheme will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment.

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of 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 dependent or qualified children).

A person paying Class A rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable employee 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 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 dependent or qualified children).

A person who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of his/her superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration. A person paying Class D rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable Officer of a local authority depending on their existing scheme, may be a member of a dependent scheme i.e. either the Local Government (Widows & Orphans Contributory Pension) Scheme or Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme and if a member of either scheme will be required in respect of this to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

Employees are admitted to the Superannuation Scheme in accordance with the terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Act, 1998 and the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, with effect from date of appointment. This scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement and death gratuities.

In order for a new entrant to the scheme to qualify for a pension, the employee must have served a minimum of two years employment in a local authority.

For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, effective from 1st January 2013, superannuation contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sum will be based on career-average pay; pensions will be coordinated with the State Pension Contributory Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012: The compulsory retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.

Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004:

There is no mandatory retirement age for ‘New Entrants’ from 1st April, 2004 to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. 65 years is the minimum age at which a person may be paid. As a new entrant to the public service, under the terms of this legislation, new entrants will not be required to retire on grounds of age.