Community Climate Action Officer

The Community Climate Action Officer within Kerry 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. 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 will have a central role and specific responsibilities for the Community Climate Action Fund funding calls. This ranges from energising and assisting communities and groups to make applications across all the themes to administration of the funding call from initiation, evaluation, award and project close out phase.

The Community Climate Action Officer will be involved with assisting and motivating communities, PPNs or businesses to identify relevant projects/initiatives, which will contribute to meeting Ireland’s climate targets and building awareness of the climate impact. He/She will be required to work with other departments within the Council, to build relationships with citizens in the community, publicise events, making people aware of new initiatives and provide 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.  The development of progress reports and overseeing expenditure are also key components of the role.   

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

Appointments: The position is wholetime and employment will be on a fixed-term basis for a period up to 31 December 2027.

Subject to the availability of suitability qualified candidates a panel will be formed on the basis of this competition (including interview), from which temporary offers of employment may be made.

Salary: €57,895- €70,730 - with annual increments payable subject to satisfactory overall performance, attendance, etc.

Offers of appointment to persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of this scale. Where the person being appointed is a serving local authority employee, normal starting pay rules will apply.

Annual Leave:30 days per annum

Hours of Work:While the normal working week will constitute 35 hours, the appointee will be required to work the hours directed by the Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, which will include hours outside of the normal working day associated with the responsibilities and requirements of the post. A flexible working hours system is in operation.

The Person

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.

Citizenship:

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a)     a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA), or

The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

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/ 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, 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

(iv)          shall have satisfactory experience in administrative procedures, including adequate practical experience in work of an executive nature, office organisation and control of staff.

Requirements

In the context of the key duties and responsibilities for the post of Community Climate Action Officer listed in this document, the ideal candidate will demonstrate the following essential and desirable requirements and key competencies;

Essential;

·       Familiarity with Kerry County Council’s Climate Action Plan

·       An understanding of the role and purpose of the Community Climate Action Fund

·       Relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level – in particular an understanding of compliance considerations and financial management of publicly funded grants

·       Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems – in particular Word, Excel and PPT

·       Ability to work within a team effectively 

·       Effective financial and budget management skills 

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

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

Desirable, though not essential:

·       Previous experience in community engagement 

·       Project management skills 

·       Experience of organising and managing events

Duties & Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities of the post of Community Climate Action Officer may include: 

·       to initiate expressions of interest for funding (CCAF), evaluate the eligibility of applications and play a key role in partnering with communities / PPNs whose projects were successful in receiving funding 

·       to manage from inception to final drawdown CCAF applications

·       to engage and mobilise new community groups based upon the first two rounds of the CCAF funding and expand the reach of the fund across the all themes of the call

·       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 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 and to report on progress on their respective section as required. 

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

·       to be involved in the day to day financial management of capital and operational expenditure in the section or department. 

In addition, appointees will be required to:

·             assist in the provision of prudent financial management, budgeting, and resource allocation

·             comply with Health and Safety legislation at all times

·             ensure an efficient and effective response to all stakeholders

·             prepare reports as required

·             attend training as required

·             participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to their grade

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

·             deputise for other employees of a higher grade as required

Format of the Competition

Following the closing date for receipt of completed application forms, Kerry County Council will examine all applications having regard to the requirements as set out above. In the event that a candidate’s application is deemed valid they will then be considered for interview. Depending on the number of applications received, shortlisting may apply based on information supplied on the application form.

Essential Skills

Candidates invited to participate in the interview process will be assessed and marked on the basis of how they demonstrate their knowledge, skills and experience at interview:-

Management and Change

Networking and Representing

·   Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain positive and beneficial relationships with relevant interests.

·   Demonstrates the ability to sustain a positive image and profile of the local authority.

Delivering Results

Problem Solving and Decision Making

·  Demonstrates the ability to act decisively and make timely, informed and effective decisions.

Operational Planning

·    Demonstrates the ability to establish high quality service and customer care standards.

Communicating Effectively

·   Demonstrates the ability to recognise the value of and requirement to communicate effectively

·   Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills

Personal Effectiveness

Resilience and Personal Well Being

· Demonstrates appropriate and positive self-confidence.

· Operates effectively in an environment with significant complexity and pace. 

Relevant Knowledge, Experience & Understanding

Knowledge & Understanding of Role

·       Demonstrates understanding of the role of Community Climate Action Officer in the context of wider local authority service delivery

·       Demonstrates knowledge& understanding of the structure and functions of local government

·       Demonstrates knowledge of current local government issues, future trends and strategic direction of local government

Candidates will be assessed and marked on the basis how they demonstrate their knowledge, skills and experience at interview.

General Information

Kerry County Council will not be responsible for any expense, including travelling expenses, which candidates may incur in connection with their candidature. Candidates will be asked for details of any special requirements which they may have in attending for interview.

Candidates invited to attend for interview may be asked, at any stage of the recruitment process, to supply further documentation in relation to their academic qualifications, employment history, etc.

Any offer of employment will be subject to verification of information provided on the application form, pre-employment medical examination, reference checks, and Garda vetting if appropriate.

Appointees will be required to undertake travel as required in line with their duties, and in that regard must 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.

An applicant who is found to be ineligible at any stage of the competition will not be further considered. Provision of inaccurate, untrue, or misleading information will result in disqualification from the competition, withdrawal of employment offered, or dismissal.

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