Climate Action Regional Office Coordinator Assistant

The Position

Kildare County Council is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition to undertake the role of Assistant Officer with the Eastern and Midlands Climate Action Regional Office.

The Assistant Officer will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to deliver the annual work programme, under the management and strategic direction of the Regional Coordinator within the Eastern and Midlands CARO.

The Assistant Officer will work with all 17 local authorities in the Eastern and Midlands Region and will work with the three other climate action regional offices in the performance of duties.

The Assistant Officer must undertake those duties as assigned to them by the Executive Officer and Regional Coordinator.

The Assistant Officer shall also report to the Director of Service with responsibility for climate action to which they are assigned, or any other person designated by the Director of Service.

The Competition

The purpose of this recruitment campaign is to form a panel for Kildare County Council from which temporary whole-time posts may be filled for Assistant Officer as vacancies arise.

The Candidate

Characteristics that the post holder must demonstrate as part of this role include:

• Evidence of practical, hands-on experience in developing/delivering projects that advance climate and sustainability policy, or other similar/transferable policy area, into on-the-ground projects.

• Possess knowledge of current climate change and climate action policy and priorities at International, EU, National government and local authority levels.

• Possess knowledge of local government functions, structures, services and activities.

• Possess knowledge of key policy areas including Climate Action, Energy, Green Infrastructure, Sustainable Mobility (active transport and modal shift), Citizen Engagement, Just Transition, Land Use and Development, Biodiversity and Natural Environment.

• Excellent report writing skills having experience of compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence etc.

• Good interpersonal skills to engage with, support, effect and influence local authorities.

• Strong judgement and problem-solving skills as well as the capacity to work autonomously and with great flexibility to meet work objectives.

• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

• Possess project management skills and experience.

• Experience of organising and managing events, including networking and participation skills.

• Ability and experience in dealing with complex issues and multiple issues simultaneously.

• Strong teamwork mentality and collaborative approach to work progression.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties of the Assistant Officer is to perform, under the direction and supervision of the Regional Coordinator or other officer as designated by the relevant Director of Service/Chief Executive, such duties as may from time to time be assigned to you in relation to your employment and as may be appropriate to any particular function of any local authority for which the Chief Executive is responsible, and carry out such instructions as may be given in relation to the performance of duties.

In delivering duties for the Eastern and Midlands Climate Action Regional Office, the Assistant Officer will be responsible for:

Strategy

• Assist in managing the effective and timely delivery of the CARO work programme to support the CAROs in achieving their objectives on behalf of the local government sector.

• Assist in facilitating engagement with all local authorities in the region through the established governance structures and positive working relationships.

• Work closely with all local authorities in the region in the implementation of and reporting on, progress of their Local Authority Climate Action Plan.

• Contribute, assist and support initiatives across adaptation, mitigation, community and behavioural change measures/initiatives to support the work of the local government sector and local authorities (individually or cumulatively) to deliver positive, efficient and effective climate action.

• Support to the development and delivery of climate action training.

• Support and assistance on specific projects as they arise from time to time as part of the CARO work programme.

• Deliver work items in a timely manner and to a high standard.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Assist in establishing, nurturing and maintaining strategic relationships to drive collaboration with key stakeholders to achieve outcomes of benefit to the local government sector.

• Influence and collaborate with Government departments, agencies and bodies across a range of policy areas on the role of local authorities on climate action ensuring that practical and implementable delivery of climate action efforts is coordinated and aligned.

• Be effective in communication on practical climate action issues to differing audiences.

• Be effective in negotiation, influencing and communication skills and influencing multi-stakeholder processes.

Information

• Maintain a strong awareness of new policies, legislation and directives relating to climate action and an understanding of the implications and opportunities that these may present to local authorities.

• Contribute to the identification of new work areas, policy, studies and processes related to climate action and its practical implementation through the local government sector.

• Assist in influencing and collaborating with Government departments, agencies and bodies across a range of policy areas on the role of local authorities on climate action ensuring that practical and implementable delivery of climate action efforts is coordinated and aligned.

Staff/Office

• Assist in the efficient and effective working structures, and performance management systems of the Eastern and Midlands Regional Office.

• Work as an integral part of a motivated team and ensure team cohesion and efficiency.

• Be effective in communication on practical climate action issues to members of the team.

• Database compilation, maintenance and analysis.

• Assist in the management of 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.

Perform any other duties as may be required by the Regional Coordinator, Director of Services and Chief Executive of Kildare County Council.

Qualifications

Character Each candidate must be of good character.

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.

Education, Training and Experience etc.

Each candidate, at the time of application, must hold all of the following:

Desirable Requirements

Each candidate, at the time of application, can hold as desirable but not necessary, any of the following:

Particulars of Employment

The Post

The post is whole time (i.e., 35 hours per week) and appointment is a whole-time temporary post.

Driving Licence

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

They must be a competent driver and, shall drive a car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority.

The council must be indemnified on their insurance.

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

Location

Kildare County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidates to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future.

The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

Commencement

Kildare County Council shall require a person to whom an 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 other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Kildare County Council shall not appoint them.

Working Hours

The current working hours are 35 hours per week Mondays to Fridays (rotas operate for lunchtime opening).

Kildare County Council also has a flexi time system in operation, details of which are available from the Human Resources Section.

The Council reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time.

You may be required to work overtime on various occasions.

All hours of work will be subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001.

Reporting Arrangements

Climate Action Regional Office Coordinators report directly to the appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Kildare County Council as the Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose.

A system of regular appraisal will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Probationary Period of Employment

Where a person is permanently appointed to Kildare County Council, the following provisions shall apply –

a) there shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation;

b) such period shall be twelve months, but the Chief Executive may, at their discretion, extend such period;

c) such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory;

d) the period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one weeks’ notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts;

e) there will be assessments during the probationary period.

Remuneration

€47,270 per annum to €68,914 per annum (maximum)

€71,123 per annum (LSI 1) (after 3 years satisfactory service at maximum)

€73,335 per annum (LSI 2) (after 6 years satisfactory service at maximum)

On appointment, successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the salary scale.

Appointment to a higher point of the salary scale may apply to candidates employed elsewhere in the public service, subject to verification of service history.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employees nominated bank account.

The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g., P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I.

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.

Superannuation & Retirement

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of the County Council will be required in respect of their Superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the appropriate rate.

The terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 as amended or the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 or the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme & Other Provisions) Act 2012 will apply as appropriate on appointment.

Retirement age for employees is dependent on their relevant contract of employment, with due consideration being given to the rules of the Superannuation Scheme to which they belong.

• For appointees who are deemed not to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, retirement is compulsory on reaching 65 years of age.

• The minimum retirement age for “new entrants” to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is 65. There is no mandatory retirement age.

• Effective from 1st January 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks:

• Retirement age is set, initially, at 66 years; this will rise in step with statutory changes in the State Pension Contributory (SPC) age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028.

• Compulsory retirement age will be 70.

Annual Leave

Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and the nationally agreed annual leave scheme for the sector.

The annual leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December.

The current leave entitlement for this post is 30 days.

The Chief Executive of Kildare County Council retains autonomy regarding office closures, (e.g., Christmas Office Closure), any days arising from such closure will be reserved from the employee’s annual leave entitlement.

Proposed office closure days will be reviewed and advised to all employees each year.

Residence

The person holding the office must reside in, or at an address convenient to the Local Authority, as approved by the Chief Executive.

Outside Employment

The position is whole-time, and the officer may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

Code Of Conduct/Organisation Policies

Employees are required to adhere to all current and future Kildare County Council codes of practice including Code of Conduct of Employees and all current and future organisational policies including, but not limited to Health and Safety, Communications, Data Protection, Equality, Staff Mobility, Attendance Management and Use of Electronic Equipment.

Training

Employees are required to attend and participate fully in training programmes as may be decided by the Council from time to time and to apply their learning in the course of their daily working activities.

Health and Safety Regulations

Kildare County Council as an Employer is obliged to ensure, so far as it is reasonably practicable the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all its employees.

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the County Council has a legal duty to exercise all due care and take all protective and preventative measures to protect the Safety, Health and Welfare of its employees.

All employees also have a legal obligation under Safety and Health legislation to cooperate with management and not engage in any improper conduct or behaviour or do anything, which would place themselves or others at risk.

Canvassing

Any attempt by a candidate, or by any person(s) acting at the candidate’s instigation, directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise influence in the candidate’s favour, any member of the staff of the County Council or person nominated by the County Council to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the candidate for the position being sought.