Community Officer

The holder of the post will perform such duties as may be assigned from time to time which will involve the facilitation, implementation and promotion of the policies and objectives of Offaly County Council Housing policy.

The role will involve developing and implementing effective estate management practices, managing Offaly County Council’s housing stock, and supporting the welfare of the Council’s tenants through proactive and responsive engagement. It will also include promoting and encouraging active participation by residents in the care, upkeep, and maintenance of their estates to ensure sustainable, well‑managed communities.

The Community Officer will report to the Administrative Officer, Social Inclusion, or such other person as may be designated by the Chief Executive of the Council or his/her delegated Officer.

The role of the officer will include the following: -

·       Facilitate and promote the establishment of new Residents Associations where required.

·       Facilitate meetings and provide ongoing support and communication with Residents Associations.

·       Liaise with outside agencies, voluntary groups and statutory bodies as required.

·       Oversee day‑to‑day staff management, including workload allocation, performance monitoring and ongoing development.

·       Organise and facilitate consultation processes for Local Authority projects affecting residents.

·       Maintain records and provide reports on Estate Management issues to the Local Authority.

·       Source funding for community development and estate management projects and monitor/report on expenditure and project implementation.

·       Manage estates, including effective management of communal facilities provided by the Local Authority.

·       Investigate complaints of anti-social behaviour, liaising with An Garda Síochána and other agencies.

·       Assist and advise the Council and Committees in preparing, implementing and reviewing policies and strategic plans (e.g., Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy, Housing Strategy, Homelessness Action Plan, Traveller Accommodation Programme).

·       Ensure Tenancy Agreements are being fully observed.

·       Conduct periodic inspections of houses to assess upkeep and property conditions.

·       Investigate and make recommendations relating to tenants’ transfer needs.

·       Liaise with Local Authority staff regarding repairs required in houses.

·       Provide input into recommendations for allocation of social housing.

·       Provide advice and assistance to tenants experiencing financial, family or personal difficulties.

·       Mediate in residents’ conflicts and related issues.

·       Assist in implementing the Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy.

·       Actively address anti-social behaviour issues in line with Offaly County Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy.

·       Lead on addressing anti-social behaviour issues and facilitate any necessary proceedings.

·       Meet with resident groups to identify problems, issues and assist in finding solutions.

·       Gather and collate information on individuals/families responsible for anti-social behaviour.

·       Arrange interagency meetings in line with adopted anti-social behaviour policy.

·       Implement and follow through with appropriate actions, including preparing legal cases and representing the Council in court proceedings when required.

·       Undertake training as required.

·       Develop and coordinate communication on cases and anti-social behaviour prevention with An Garda Síochána, HSE, Tusla and other agencies.

·       Carry out any other duties assigned by the Local Authority from time to time.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST

The ideal candidate for the post of Community Officer, will be a highly motivated person, with drive and commitment to deliver quality tenancy support services and can demonstrate clear knowledge and understanding of:

·       Social housing policy and approaches, including a good understanding of issues and needs of the Local Authority tenants.

·       Local authority services, its key stakeholders and relationships.

·       Have an ability to develop and maintain positive, productive and beneficial working relationships.

·       Possess an ability to handle potentially complicated situations and to prevent and manage conflict situations.

·       Demonstrate strong judgement, management, communication and negotiation skills.

·       Demonstrate an ability to work effectively and in partnership with statutory, community and other agencies.

·       Have experience of working with community / voluntary / disadvantaged groups.

·       Have experience of preparing reports and correspondence.

·       Have experience of development and implementation of work programmes.

·       Demonstrate an ability to work on own initiative and resolve issues as they arise.

·       Demonstrate knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

·       Have experience of submitting and delivering on funding applications, for example, Dormant Accounts Funding, SICAP etc…

·       Have strong interpersonal and communication skills and be capable of representing the Council in a professional and credible manner

·       Have an ability to work effectively within a team to achieve a common goal, ensuring standards are adhered to and maintained whilst also being capable of working on their own initiative.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these. Please take particular note of these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates:

Judgement, Analysis & Decision Making

·       Takes account of broader issues, agendas, sensitivities and related implications when making decisions.

·       Uses previous knowledge and experience in order to guide decisions.

·       Effectively manages the introduction of change; fosters a culture of creativity and overcomes resistance to change.

·       Uses judgement to make sound decisions with a well-reasoned rationale

·       Puts forward solutions to address problems.

·       Effectively identifies and manages conflict and potential sources of conflict to reach beneficial solutions and positive outcomes.

·       Uses diplomacy and tact to facilitate working relationships.

·       Leads, motivates and engages others to achieve quality results.

Management & Delivery of Results

·       Takes responsibility and is accountable for the delivery of agreed objectives.

·       Successfully manages a range of different projects and work activities at the same time.

·       Structures and organises their own work and works collaboratively and effectively with others to achieve common goals.

·       Is logical and pragmatic in approach, delivering the best possible results with the resources available.

·       Proactively identifies areas for improvement and develops practical suggestions for their implementation.

·       Demonstrates enthusiasm for new developments/changing practices and strives to implement these changes effectively.

·       Applies appropriate systems/processes to enable quality checking of all activities and outputs.

·       Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering high quality customer service.

·       Evaluates the outcomes achieved against operational plans, identifies learning and implements improvements required.

·       Does more than is required or expected, anticipating situations and acting to pre-empt problems.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

·       Is enthusiastic about the role and is motivated in the face of difficulties and obstacles.

·       Builds and maintains contact with colleagues and other stakeholders to assist in performing the role.

·       Acts as an effective link between various stakeholders.

·       Encourages open and constructive discussions around issues.

·       Projects conviction, gaining buy-in by outlining relevant information and selling benefits.

·       Treats others with diplomacy, tact, courtesy and respect, even in challenging circumstances.

·       Presents information clearly, concisely and confidently when speaking and in writing.

·       Collaborates and supports colleagues to achieve organisational goals.

·       Leads, motivates and engages others to achieve quality results.

·       Empowers and encourages people to engage and deliver positive outcomes for the programme.

·       Has good interpersonal skills, effective verbal and written communication skills.

·       Demonstrates resilience and Personal Well Being and remains calm under pressure and can separate personal issues from work issues.

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

·       Has a clear understanding of the roles, objectives and targets and how they fit into the work of the Council’s Housing Section and effectively communicates this to others.

·       Has a clear understanding of the political reality and context of the local authority.

·       Demonstrates integrity, impartiality, and accountability in delivering high-quality public services and upholding the core values of the public sector.

·       Fully implements safe systems of working in accordance with the Corporate Safety Statement and relevant Ancillary Safety Statement for their area of work.

·       Focuses on self-development, striving to improve performance.

QUALIFICATIONS

1.     Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Essential Requirements:

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 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.

and

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

Desirable (but not essential):

a)     A qualification in community development/social inclusion/social science or an equivalent..

and

b)    Possess satisfactory knowledge and experience of social housing policy and legislation.

*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.     Driving Licence

The Holder of the Post of shall hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles free from endorsement/disqualification. When required to do so, holders of office 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.

4.     Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

5.     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.

* Non Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

1.     The Post:

The post is permanent, 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 €57,322 - €70,030 LSI

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.

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.

6.     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)

7.     Sick Leave:

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

8.     Probation:

Appointees will be on probation for the first year of employment. The terms of the Offaly County Council Probation Policy will apply.

9.     Superannuation:

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012:

New members joining the Public Sector on or after 1st January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. The Single Scheme applies to all pensionable first-time 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. A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 3% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5%, of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. 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 dependant or qualified children). This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme. Pension and retirement lump sum based on career-average pay, pensions will be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contributory (SPC).

For persons who commenced public sector employment prior to 1st January 2013: Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (ie. 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 employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

All persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Childrens Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.