Community Climate Action Officer

ROLE & DUTIES OF THE POST

Introduction:

The Community Climate Action Officer is a core resource requirement in the local authority leading on climate action, with the successful candidate playing a key role in advocating for climate action and sustainability.

This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with local communities to promote local positive climate action as supported by the Community Climate Action Fund programme.

The Community Climate Action Officer will be involved with assisting and motivating communities to identify 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, 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 whose projects are 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.

We are looking for:

• A person who is interested in climate action and capable of supporting and influencing communities and stakeholders to this effect;

• A person with good interpersonal and communication skills and ability to liaise with a wide range of stakeholders including the general public through a wide range of communication methods;

• A resilient team player who will lead work with the Tipperary County Council Climate Action Office to support and deliver its goals;

• An organised person with excellent time management and project management skills.

Duties:

The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require. The duties will include but will not be limited to the following:

• Manage the implementation and delivery of the Community Climate Action Fund Programme, including initiating expressions of interest/Calls for applications and evaluating the eligibility of applications.

• Act as the primary point of contact for community groups applying for climate action funding.

• Provide guidance and support to applicants throughout the funding process, including project development, reporting, and compliance.

• Coordinate workshops, outreach campaigns, and training sessions to build community capacity for climate action.

• Monitor and evaluate funded projects, ensuring alignment with programme objectives and reporting requirements.

• Collaborate with internal departments, external stakeholders, and regional climate networks to promote best practices.

• Develop promotional materials and success stories to highlight the impact of funded initiatives.

• Support the Climate Action Coordinator in tracking programme indicators and preparing reports for internal and external stakeholders.

• 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 support their line manager to ensure that community-related climate action opportunities as they may arise, and related work programmes, are implemented to deliver on the Council’s corporate and operational plans, including planning and prioritising work and allocating resources.

• To represent the local authority on committees and at meetings and to report on progress on their respective section as required.

• To participate in corporate management activities and responsibilities.

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

These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential Criteria:

Character

Candidates shall 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.

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 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

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

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

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

(iii) Full, clean Class B driving license and access to a car.

Desirable Criteria:

It is desirable that the successful candidate will demonstrate through their application form and at interview that he/she has:

• A good understanding of climate action in the context of wider local authority service delivery and its social and economic impact at community level;

• A satisfactory knowledge of the functions and duties of Local Authorities;

• Experience in community engagement and participatory approaches;

• Experience with grant administration or public funding schemes;

• Project management skills;

• Experience of organising and managing events;

• Communication, interpersonal and people management skills;

• Organisational and time management skills;

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and achieve objectives in a timely manner;

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team;

• Be self-motivated with ability to work on own initiative;

• Experience in financial management, preparation of financial returns and understanding of operational expenditure;

• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems;

• An understanding of Health & Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and safe systems of work.

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.

Salary:

Current Salary Scale: €57,322 - €58,689 - €60,356 - €63,491 - €65,363 - €67,690 (1st LSI) - €70,030 (2nd LSI).

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The employee shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to or received by him/her by virtue of his/her employment or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point (currently €57,322).

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee’s 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.

Under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013, the working hours for newly appointed/promoted staff are 35 hours per week. All posts will be offered on the basis of the candidate working wholetime.

Probation:

Where a person who is not already a permanent officer of Tipperary County Council is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:-

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

(b) the maximum period shall generally be one year for permanent contracts and such other period as may be required in relation to temporary or fixed term/purpose contracts as set out in the council’s probationary policy. No probationary period shall exceed 12 months in duration.

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

Superannuation:

The relevant Superannuation Scheme will apply. The provisions of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 may apply.

Persons who become pensionable officers who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority as follows:

1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

Persons who become pensionable officers who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

The provisions of the Spouses and Children’s/Widows and Orphans Contributory Pension Scheme will continue to apply.

New entrants will be admitted to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme with effect from the date of appointment. The scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement gratuity, death gratuity and survivors benefits. To qualify for a pension the successful candidate must have served a minimum of two years employment in a Local Authority.

Retirement Age

There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. Anyone who is not a new entrant to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years or as determined in accordance with Department Circulars and in line with Government Policy.

The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.

The Council may refer staff to a medical advisor at any time to determine fitness for carrying out the duties to which they have been assigned.

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER)

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees, under that Scheme, are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

Hours of Work:

The normal working hours are 35 hours per week. Flexible working arrangements apply. The role may require occasional evening work. All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Tipperary County Council requires employees to record their hours using the CORE/TDS Clocking system.

Annual Leave:

The annual leave entitlement for the grade is 30 days per annum. The Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council retains autonomy with regard to 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 successful candidate shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed, or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Drivers Licence:

Tipperary County Council employees may on occasion be required to use their car on official business. In such situations the employee must hold a current clean driver’s licence and have available adequate means of transport. It is the responsibility of the employee to arrange the appropriate car insurance for business use and to indemnify Tipperary County Council with the indemnity specified on the insurance certificate under the heading “Persons or classes of person who are covered”. Documentation to confirm the appropriate insurance cover will be required to be supplied to the Council on an annual basis.