Climate Action Coordinator

THE POSITION

Wicklow County Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Climate Action Coordinator. It is proposed to form a panel of qualified candidates from which vacancies will be filled during the lifetime of the panel.

The Climate Action Coordinator will report directly to the Senior Engineer in the Climate, Environment, Recreation and Amenity Directorate or such person as may be assigned from time to time by Wicklow County Council.

The Climate Action Coordinator will organise climate action internally, across the local authority sector and at a regional level through the CAROs. Importantly, the Climate Action Coordinator will connect with the wider climate policy system by providing consistent contact points of engagement with other departments and agencies responsible for delivering Sectoral Adaptation Strategies and the wider National Adaptation Framework.

A key function of the coordinator will be to monitor progress towards achieving targets. This will significantly enhance the national evidence base on delivery of the national Climate Action Plan. This evidence base gathered at a local authority level can feed into the national governance structures for delivering the Action Plan.

The Climate Action Coordinator will coordinate and support the implementation of adaptation and mitigation actions and assist in leading the transition of Wicklow County Council to a low carbon and climate resilient county.

QUALIFICATIONS

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

(a) Hold an Honours degree (Level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in Engineering, Planning, Project Management, Science, Environmental Science, Architecture or equivalent.

(b) Have at least seven years satisfactory relevant experience of project management, town planning, engineering, environmental science or architecture or other relevant discipline.

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

(d) Must hold a full, unendorsed Category B Driving Licence and must have access to their own motor vehicle.

PLEASE NOTE: 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. Failure to do so will deem your application inadmissible.

The onus is on the candidate to ensure that the relevant qualification is listed on their application form. In the event that an offer of employment is made, the candidate will be required to submit all relevant Educational Qualifications in order to meet the requirements above.

DRIVING LICENCE/TRAVEL

The holder of the office will be required to hold a valid Irish/EU full driving licence for class B vehicles or a licence acceptable to NDLS for exchange, free from endorsement and disqualification. They must be a competent driver and shall drive a motor car in the course of his/her duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the Local Authority. The Local Authority must be indemnified on their insurance.

DUTIES

The following is a non-exhaustive list of key duties and responsibilities which may be assigned to a Climate Action Coordinator.

• Co-ordinate, manage and develop the implementation of the local authority’s response to the challenges of climate change.

• Lead a multi-disciplinary dedicated team to deliver the Climate Action agenda.

• Lead and drive the cross-sectional Wicklow County Council Climate Action Team to develop and implement a wide-ranging and effective work programme.

• Develop Local Authority Climate Action Plan as per government guidance.

• Develop and implementation of Decarbonisation Zone Action Plan as per government guidance.

• Formulation of strategies to meet the objectives and aims of the Climate Change Action Plan.

• Implementation and management of projects, plans and processes.

• Ensure integration of Climate actions into all plans and policies of the council, where appropriate.

• Promote and support a greater understanding of Climate Change issues in the County Council.

• Promote and support a greater understanding of Climate Change issues in the community including organising and supporting relevant community initiatives, public outreach programmes and business initiatives.

• Ongoing engagement with all stakeholders (i.e. environmental organisations, business and community groups) including the elected members of local authorities.

• Review, collate and distribute relevant national policies and documents on climate change, adaptation actions, case studies etc.

• Conduct stakeholder mapping of key agencies, actors and sectors and their potential relations to the successful delivery of Climate action goals.

• Represent the Local Authority at key events and act as the focal point for climate action within the Local Authority.

• Develop communication materials on the Local Authority local authority climate action activities and progress.

• Participate in relevant regional meetings with the CARO, with the purpose of knowledge sharing, expanding the sectors abilities, sharing experiences and lessons learned and identifying possible opportunities for collaboration.

• Providing technical inputs on funding proposals for climate change adaptation and identify funding opportunities and adaptation activities.

• Provide a point of contact for engaging with the other sectors.

• Preparing annual progress reports on the adaptation strategy and any subsequent action plans.

• Foster and maintain working relationships with government departments and EU agencies.

• Foster and maintain wide ranging productive working relationships with 3rd level institutions.

• Demonstration of a high level of negotiation, influencing and communication skills and influence multi-stakeholder processes.

• Effectively introduce change, foster a culture of creativity in employees and overcome resistance to change.

• Ensure detailed reports are submitted in a timely manner.

• Maintain an awareness of new policies, legislation and directives relating to climate action and review the implications of these new documents.

• Contribute to the identification of new areas of research related to climate action and the local government sector.

• Establishment of efficient and effective working structures, performance management systems.

• Manage and motivate the team and ensure effective team building.

• Database compilation, maintenance and analysis.

• Manage financial and budgetary requirements for the office including putting internal controls and robust governance structures in place.

• Ensure the office meets all requirements in relation to health and safety legislation and regulations.

• Carrying out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

• The successful candidate will be required to report to the line manager. They may also be required to deputise for the line manager.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

An ability to demonstrate competence in the following areas:

(a) Demonstrate a record of excellent project management skills resulting in successful outcomes, simultaneously managing and co-ordinating multiple projects of differing scale, nature and complexity, bringing them to a conclusion on time and on budget.

(b) Possess a high standard of administrative and management experience.

(c) Have experience of managing and co-ordinating multi-disciplinary and cross-sectional teams and have the ability to motivate, empower, encourage and achieve maximum efficiency and value for money from the personnel and processes under his/her control.

(d) Possess effective communications and report writing skills with exceptional attention to detail.

(e) Have experience making successful grant and other funding applications.

(f) Demonstrate a successful track record influencing change both within organizational culture and within local communities.

(g) Have an excellent knowledge of health and safety legislation and regulations and their application in the workplace.

(h) Have an excellent knowledge of public procurement processes and rules and competence and experience of financial and budget management.

DESIRABLE SKILLS

An ability to demonstrate competence in the following areas:

• Possess a good knowledge of Local Government functions, services and activities.

• Be interested and enthusiastic for the Climate Action agenda and have a good working knowledge of current National & Local Climate Action trends, legislation and plans.

• Demonstrate knowledge and experience of working innovatively with the public and in particular communities to deliver projects and other interventions, including involvement of experience of working with all forms of media.

• Experience of building strategic relationships with external stakeholders at all levels including local, regional and national and be capable of working in close collaboration with key partners and in seeking co-operation and consensus with a whole range of external bodies and representative groups.

• Experience in meeting regularly with stakeholders, providing up-dates, presentations and reports, taking customer feedback and ensuring any learning from same is used to enhance the operations of the organisation.

• Be experienced in contributing to the operations and strategic planning processes and in the implementation of the agreed aims of same.

PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

A panel may be formed from which future Climate Action Coordinator positions may be filled. The position will be temporary and pensionable.

The successful candidate(s) may be assigned as required to any of the Municipal Districts/Directorates under the Chief Executive’s control or to any premises/location in use by the Council now or in the future.

Duties

The duties of the office are to give to the local authority and

i. to such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts 2001–2014, is Chief Executive, and

ii. to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph.

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 professional/technical and ancillary services of an advisory, supervisory or executive nature as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The holder of the office will, if required, act for an officer of a higher level.

Probation

Where persons who are not already permanent officers 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 office on probation.

(b) Such period shall be nine months; this period may be extended at the Chief Executive’s discretion.

(c) Such persons shall cease to hold such office 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.

Salary: €80,680–€100,692 per annum includes 2nd LSI EL 04/2026

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time in line with national policy. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform. Starting pay shall be determined in accordance with appropriate Departmental Circular letters. New Entrants will be placed on the minimum of salary scale.

Hours of Work

The person appointed will be required to work a 35 hour week Monday to Friday, which equates to a 7 hour day to be accounted for within attendance hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with one hour lunch between 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m.

A flexi system is also in operation.

Garda Vetting

Candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting. Appointment(s) will be considered having regard to receipt of satisfactory Garda Vetting, particularly to determine suitability to work with children/vulnerable adults.

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.