Community Climate Action Officer

THE ROLE

The role of Community Climate Action Officer requires a clear knowledge and understanding of local authority services and its key stakeholders and relationships, local government structures and its democratic role and mandate, current local government issues, future trends and strategic direction of the sector. This is an exciting opportunity to work with local communities to promote local positive climate action as supported by the Climate Action Fund programme.

The Community Climate Action Officer within Carlow County Council will be a core resource requirement for local authorities to lead on climate action, the successful candidate playing a key role in advocating for climate action and sustainability.

The Community Climate Action Officer will be required to build relationships with citizens in the community and assist/ motivate communities, PPNs or businesses to identify and deliver relevant projects/initiatives, which will contribute to meeting Ireland’s climate targets and building awareness of the climate impact.

The Community Climate Action Officer will be required to work with other departments within the Council, support and facilitate internal change through building climate action awareness and readiness across the local authority.

This role will include the coordination, publicising and execution of events, raising awareness of new initiatives by providing information that may be required to fully avail of the Council’s wide range of services in relation to climate action.

The Community Climate Action Officer will be required to initiate expressions of interest for funding, evaluate the eligibility of applications and play a key role in partnering with communities / PPNs whose projects were successful in receiving funding to ensure the successful delivery of same.

The development of progress reports and overseeing expenditure are also key components of the role.

The successful candidate will be required to occasionally work outside of core hours in order to facilitate engagement with relevant stakeholders.

The successful candidate will have the ability, drive and vision to engage and support the public to take climate action. They will support and empower those beginning and those already participating in climate action.

Key duties/responsibilities (non-exhaustive list) of the post of Community Climate Action Officer may include:

To support their line manager to ensure work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Council’s corporate and operational plans, including planning and prioritising work and allocating resources.

To develop and maintain productive working relationships, including providing information and assistance when required.

To initiate expressions of interest for funding, evaluate the eligibility of applications and play a key role in partnering with communities / PPNs whose projects were successful in receiving funding.

To work in close collaboration within the Council and with external stakeholders, such as agriculture, sporting clubs, tidy towns, communities, businesses etc.

Implementation of climate action projects and programmes across all service areas.

To provide support and administrative assistance in the delivery of Community Climate Action projects as required.

To research, analyse and communicate information on specific climate action issues and policies as appropriate, including compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence etc.

To represent the local authority on committees and at meetings, report on progress on their respective section as required and participate in corporate management activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade.

To prepare budgets and ensure that projects and programmes are implemented within allocated budgets and in a timely manner.

To work closely with the Elected Members at Council, Strategic Policy Committee and Municipal District level, and external stakeholders as required, to develop community level climate action capacity and resilience through engagement with existing Local Authority networks such as the Public Participation Network, Tidy Towns, Environmental Awareness etc.

Work to implement and support the Carlow Decarbonisation Project.

To keep abreast on behalf of Carlow County Council, of emerging policies and funding opportunities at EU, National & Regional level and assessing the impact on the future plans and priorities of the council.

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

Maintain and proactively develop a culture of health and safety in the workplace and ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and regulations, and the Council’s Corporate health and safety systems.

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

Requirements for the role:

In the context of the key duties and responsibilities for the post of Community Climate Action Officer listed above, the ideal candidate will demonstrate the following requirements and key competencies:

• Knowledge of current local government issues, priorities, concerns and future direction

• Relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level

• Ability to work within a team effectively

• Experience in assessment and administration of funding programmes

• Experience of compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence etc.

• Competence & experience of financial and budget management

• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems

• Relevant experience in supporting the formulation and implementation of strategies, plans, studies, and processes including stakeholder engagement

• Previous experience in Community engagement

• Project management skills

• Experience of organising and managing events

• Knowledge in the Climate Change area

• A good understanding of climate change adaptation and mitigation challenges relevant to Local Authority function

• Experience in grant application promotion, assessment and administration

QUALIFICATIONS

CHARACTER

Candidates must be of good character.

HEALTH

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

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

EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE etc.

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

(i) (a) have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects (or four subjects if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme including Irish and/or English and one of the following: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics,

and

(b) have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in higher level (or Honours) papers in three subjects in that examination (or two subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Science Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics)

or

(ii) have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination,

or

(iii) hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard.

and

(iv) Shall have a minimum of 5 years’ experience satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, effective stakeholder engagement and fostering behaviour change.

(v) Experience in community engagement.

(vi) Project management skills.

(vii) Experience of organising and managing events.

(viii) Hold a current full driving licence in respect of category B vehicles, as there will be a requirement to travel to various Council premises and other locations

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT

THE POST:

The post is whole-time, temporary and pensionable on a 20 month contract basis. The person appointed will be placed on probation for a period of 12 months during which time performance will be strictly monitored. If performance and attendance is not satisfactory the employment will be terminated. Notice of termination, except in case of summary dismissal, will be in accordance with the provisions of Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973.

Successful applicants may be placed in the Environment & Climate Action Department dependent on the requirements of the Council at the time of appointment. However, at the discretion of the Chief Executive, the successful applicant may be reassigned to other departments/services in the future.

The Community Climate Action Officer will be required to liaise with external agencies and support the democratic process. They will be required to report to their appropriate line manager, assist the management team as may be required and deal with elected members in respect of the County and to attend Council meeting as required. The person/s appointed will work under the direction and control of the Climate Action Co-ordinator or other officer designated by the Director of Services or the Chief Executive.

The duties of the office 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 City and County Management Acts, 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 sub-paragraph (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 hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any if its 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.

HEALTH:

For the purposes of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority.

PROBATION:

Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) there shall be a period after such appointment takes effect during which such persons shall hold such position on probation,

(b) such period shall be 12 months, but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period,

(c) such persons shall cease to hold such position 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,

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

(e) there will be assessments during the probationary period

RESIDENCE:

The holder of the office shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance, thereof.

WORK BASE:

Carlow 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.

HOURS OF DUTY:

The person appointed will work a typical flexible five (5) day thirty-five (35) hour week over 5 days Monday to Friday. The role requires flexibility in terms of working hours as the duties may involve working outside of normal office hours, as required. The person appointed may be required to work overtime in specific circumstances as agreed by the Senior Engineer or the appropriate supervisory officer. Time off in lieu on a time for time basis will be given should circumstances arise.

SALARY:

The annual salary which is analogous to the post of Senior Staff Officer as follows:

1st August 2025 scale: €57,322 – €58,689 – €60,356 – €63,491 – €65,363 – LSI 1 €67,690 – LSI 2 €70,030

Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. The starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

The holder of the position shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies (other than inclusive salary) payable to or received by such holder by virtue of the position or in respect of services, which are required by or under any enactment to perform.

ANNUAL LEAVE:

The current annual leave entitlement is 30 days. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangement for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 (as amended).

SICK LEAVE:

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

REFERENCES:

Applicants are required to advise the names of two responsible persons to whom they are well known but not related (at least one of the referees should be an existing or former employer).

In advance of any offer of employment, Carlow County Council reserves the right to seek both written and verbal references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated. The Council reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.

VETTING:

Garda vetting is required for certain roles within Carlow County Council. Failure to complete a Garda vetting form on request may prevent your employment with Carlow County Council. In the event of an unsatisfactory Garda declaration being received Carlow County Council reserves the right not to commence employment. In the event of an existing employee changing role as a result of promotion or otherwise to a role that requires Garda Vetting and an unsatisfactory disclosure being returned, Carlow County Council reserves the right to withhold promotion, and also to investigate if further sanction/disciplinary action is warranted on foot of disclosure on a case by case basis.

TRAVEL:

When required to do so, holders of the post must hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. If you are required to travel as part of your official duties, Carlow County Council as your employer must be indemnified on your insurance policy. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Carlow County Council’s Travel and Subsistence Policy. If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

Carlow County Council reserves the right to provide a van to enable you to carry out your duties. The provision of a van will be at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

TRAINING:

It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post and to attend all mandatory training.

USE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY:

The successful candidate will be required to use all equipment provided, including computers, hand held terminals, mobile telephone, electronic equipment, video or other monitoring equipment and any other new technology which may be introduced in the future.

HEALTH & SAFETY:

The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Carlow County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. It is a condition of employment that the successful candidate will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post. He/She shall familiarise him/herself with the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety, clothing and equipment. Failure to comply with the terms of the Safety Statement may result in a disciplinary action.