Climate Action Officer

Climate Change is now a major consideration in all policies and actions of Local Authorities who are increasingly being given a critical role in the embedding and enabling of Climate Action across the diverse range of their functions and activities.

The National Adaptation Framework was published in 2018 and this together with the Low Carbon and Climate Development Act 2015 provide the context within which Local Authorities are obliged to prepare Climate Action Plans.

The Climate Action Regional Offices (CARO) were formed to link and bring together the expertise and capacity in the Local Authorities to achieve this objective while also proving a focus for linkages with Central Government Departments, Regional Assemblies, Public Representatives, and other relevant stakeholders.

Offaly County Council seeks to take a significant leadership role in this area and having established a Climate Action Team in 2023 to lead and coordinate activities within the County Council and to link with the CARO and other Sectoral adaptation strategies as appropriate.

The recently issued (Nov. 2026) Sectoral Capital Plan for the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment outlined indicative allocation of €50m - €100m for Local Authority Climate Action over 2026 – 2030.

Reporting under the general direction of a Director of Service, Senior Engineer Climate Action/Environment, to the Climate Change Coordinator, the Climate Action Officer be responsible for managing internal change and building climate action awareness and readiness across the local authority. This is a challenging and exciting position and requires a broad technical knowledge of climate change, the risks and possible adaptation strategies, and a strong organisational, networking, and communication skill set. The Climate Action Officer will work as part of a multi disciplined team and provide support across the service area. The appointee will need good knowledge of the operation of local authorities and their role and interactions with Government Departments in terms of governance, finance, and reporting structures. Climate Change funding can be made available through a variety of European and national funding streams and knowledge of those funding streams and of the processes involved in applying for such funding will also be important.

Climate Change is now a major consideration in all policies and actions of Local Authorities who are increasingly being given a critical role in the embedding and enabling of Climate Action across the diverse range of their functions and activities.

Offaly County Council has prepared the Offaly County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029, to create a low carbon and climate resilient County, by delivering and promoting best practice in climate action, at the local level. This is aligned to the Government’s overall National Climate Objective, which seeks to pursue and achieve, by no later than the end of 2050, the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy.

This is set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, which also frames Ireland’s legally binding climate ambition, to delivering a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 51% by 2030. This will place the country on a trajectory to achieving climate neutrality by the end of 2050.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST

The person appointed will be able to clearly demonstrate the key competencies as set out in this Booklet. In addition, the successful candidate will possess the following:

• Good knowledge, or the ability to quickly acquire good knowledge, of local government functions, services and activities particularly in relation to climate change and action;

• An ability to work within teams, including multi disciplinary teams;

• Good planning, operational and project management skills;

• Good communication/presentation and interpersonal skills;

• An ability to work under pressure and to think laterally, maintaining a solution orientated mind set in dealing with a wide range of issues;

• Good report writing skills and strong IT skills;

• An ability to achieve delivery of competing demands within prescribed timelines and deadlines;

• The ability to work well with Local Representatives and the public;

• Be capable of building strategic relationships and working in close consultation and collaboration with key partners and stakeholders at all levels including local, regional and national.

Candidates should also demonstrate:

▪ An understanding of the aims and objectives of the National Climate Action Plan 2021 and 2023 and the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 together with knowledge of key Local Authority climate action areas e.g. Energy, Decarbonisation Zones, Retrofitting, Sustainable Mobility (active travel and modal shift), Sustainable Energy Communities, Citizen Engagement, Just Transition, Land Use and Development, Biodiversity and Natural Environment.

▪ A good understanding of climate change adaptation and mitigation challenges relevant to Local Authority functions.

▪ Strong judgement and problem solving skills and effecting or influencing behavioural change.

▪ Experience of dealing with multiple stakeholders.

▪ Knowledge of health and safety legislation and regulations, and their application in the workplace.

▪ Competence and experience of financial and budget management.

▪ Strong communication skills and diversification of communication techniques.

▪ Proficiency in report writing, collating and analysing data, information and research and presentation of content.

The following skills will also be advantageous to the role:

▪ Proficiency in social media content creation, social media engagement, social media clips/video production a distinct advantage.

▪ Good understanding of public engagement, communication channels, messaging, positioning and marketing.

▪ Energetic approach and capacity to engage with a broad cohort, generate initiatives and be innovative.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education, Training, Experience, etc.

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

a) Hold a third level qualification (Level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) or equivalent professional qualification in Planning, Engineering, Environmental Science, Architecture, Climate & Environmental Sustainability or another relevant discipline.

b) Have at least five years’ satisfactory relevant experience.

c) Have technical competence in the Climate Change/Action area or related area.

d) Have relevant experience in supporting the formulation and implementation of strategies, plans, policy/action formulation, research studies and processes including stakeholder engagement.

e) Hold a full driving licence, EU Model for Class B Vehicles and must have access to an appropriately insured and licensed car for the purpose of the duties of the position.

Copies of qualifications must be attached to support this application. Failure to provide qualifications will deem this application invalid.

2. Citizenship

Candidates for any of the above panels 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.

3. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

4. 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.

1. The Post:

The post is temporary, whole time and pensionable. A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a period of time at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel will be used to fill appropriate positions that may arise for its duration. Positions will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

2. Salary:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay scale, and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay.

The current salary scale applicable to the post is €59,658 - €82,929 LSI 2.

3. Duties:

The duties of the post are to give to the local authority, and

a) such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts 2001 and 2014, is Chief Executive, and

b) 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 subparagraph (a) of this paragraph under the general direction and supervision of the Chief Executive or such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an executive, administrative or management nature as may be required by any local authority or body herein before mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to him/her by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The post holder will, if required, act for an employee of a higher level. The post holder may be required to work outside his/her normal job description from time to time.

Alongside supporting the Climate Action Coordinator in the design, development and delivery of Offaly County Council’s Climate Action Plan and additional relevant climate action initiatives and policies, the Climate Action Officer will have responsibilities including, but not limited to, the following:

• Drive organisational change initiatives particularly in the area of climate change mitigation and adaptation.

• Support the implementation of the Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LACAP) across all departments in the local authority.

• Support the Climate Action Coordinator in designing and delivering climate action strategies and policies.

• Assist in defining the desired values and behaviours for the local authority and articulate how these translate into actionable behaviours at all levels.

• Develop and assist in the roll out of programmes and campaigns which promote climate action amongst management, elected members and staff.

• Provide support and advice to all departments on climate action related matters.

• Support project teams and elected members in ensuring all local authority level activities are climate proofed.

• Provide assistance to the Climate Action Coordinator in developing and implementing climate action strategies, plans and policies across the local authority.

• Support the Climate Action Coordinator and the CARO to monitor and communicate the performance of the local authority.

• Work with the CARO, national government and relevant state agencies to assist in the development and roll out of programmes and campaigns to promote climate action to local authority staff, elected members and local authority stakeholders.

• Active participation in the implementation of programmes and projects across all service areas.

• Work with the Energy Engineer / Energy Team on energy initiatives, support the implementation of the ISO 50,001 Energy Management System.

• Undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required, or assigned, from time to time.

Essential Skills and Experience:

The ideal candidate for the position shall have:

• Satisfactory experience in the area of climate change together with a broad technical knowledge within the climate change area.

• The ability to work under pressure (both independently and as part of team).

• The ability to work with multidisciplinary teams.

• The ability to self motivate to achieve good performance.

• The ability to motivate, empower, encourage and achieve maximum efficiency and value for money from the personnel and processes under his/her control.

• A track record of delivering results.

• An understanding of Local Authority services and structures in Ireland or have the ability to quickly acquire same.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.

• A good knowledge and awareness of statutory obligations of Health and Safety Legislation, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace.

• The skills to schedule/programme the carrying out of work.

• An understanding of the role and duties of managers in safety management in the workplace.

• Good general ICT skills.

• A focus on the customer and on service improvement including taking ownership and resolving issues arising.

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

4. Work Base:

Offaly County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department or premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

5. Working Hours:

The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty five hours working week, hours may vary from time to time.

The working hours may be reviewed at any time by the Council. The post may require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including at weekends, as necessary. No additional remuneration will be paid in respect of such activities.

The provisions of Offaly County Council’s Time and Attendance Policy is applicable to this grade at the current time. A flexible working hours system is in operation subject to the terms and conditions of the Time and Attendance Policy.