Community Warden

1.0 JOB REQUIREMENTS

1.1 MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Eligibility Requirements are the minimum requirements required for the position and are set out by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for administrative and technical/engineering grades.

For outdoor grades and some specialised grades, the minimum eligibility requirements are set out by Kilkenny County Council Human Resources Department in consultation with the relevant Line Manager as they are not set centrally by the Department.

Applicants will be required to submit scanned images of documentation to establish the applicant meets the following minimum eligibility criteria:

1.1.1 Character Each candidate must be of good character.

1.1.2 Health Each candidate must be physically fit, mobile, and in a state of health to render regular and efficient service.

1.1.3 Education, Training, Experience etc. PLEASE NOTE:

• FAILURE TO UPLOAD ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS I.E. QUALIFICATIONS, I.D. ETC., AT SUBMISSION STAGE WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN AN INVALID APPLICATION.

• APPLICANTS SHOULD SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT THEIR EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION.

• APPLICANTS WITH NON-IRISH QUALIFICATIONS CAN AVAIL OF THE ON-LINE RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN QUALIFICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDED BY QUALITY AND QUALIFICATIONS IRELAND (QQI) AND MUST SUBMIT PROOF OF SAME WITH THEIR APPLICATIONS.

• FAILURE TO FULLY COMPLETE EACH QUESTION ON THE APPLICATION FORM MAY DEEM YOUR APPLICATION INVALID (ANSWERS WHICH REDIRECT TO OTHER RESPONSES ARE NOT PERMITTED).

Candidate shall: a) Possess satisfactory experience and be able to demonstrate an awareness/understanding of the role and function of community warden. b) Have a standard of education sufficient to enable him/her to discharge the duties of the post; which shall include computer literacy and ICT skills. c) Possess satisfactory experience of dealing with the public, community groups, and voluntary groups. d) Possess a full driving licence for Class B vehicles, free from endorsements.

Desirable Requirements Kilkenny County Council can for any position they advertise, include Desirable Requirements. Desirable Requirements are those that would be beneficial to optimising job performance. Desirable Requirements can be used if necessary to reduce numbers called for interview.

It is desirable that each candidate shall: 1.1.4 Have previous experience of working under supervision and reporting to Authority. 1.1.5 Have good interpersonal and communication skills. 1.1.6 Have the capacity to contribute to and work well in a team. 1.1.7 Have the ability to use initiative and judgement.

Applicants should satisfy themselves they are eligible under the required qualifications. Kilkenny County Council may not be in a position to investigate the eligibility of all candidates in advance of the interview/examination, and hence persons who are ineligible but nevertheless enter, may put themselves to unnecessary expense.

2.0 JOB DESCRIPTION2.1 ROLE

Kilkenny County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons, who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel, from which relevant vacancies for the post of Community Warden may be filled.

3.0 JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES3.1 DUTIES OF THE ROLE SHALL INCLUDE:

The duties may include but are not limited to the following and the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

The primary duties of Community Warden:

• To patrol Kilkenny City and Environs in the course of his/her duties as assigned by the Director of Service/Senior Engineer/ Executive Engineer or as delegated.

• To patrol Kilkenny City and Environs as assigned by the Director of Service/Senior Engineer/Executive Engineer or as delegated and the issuing of “on-the-spot fine” notices where there are infringements of the Traffic & Parking Regulations, and/or Road Traffic Acts, and any such appropriate Acts and Regulations.

• To be fully conversant with On-Street and Off-Street Parking Byelaws and with any other Traffic Acts and Byelaws appropriate to his/her duties.

• To maintain accurate records (including photographs) of offences for the purposes of court proceedings and to attend Court and give evidence when required.

• To write clear and concise reports when necessary.

• To provide cover for the Market Yard pay station.

• To assist with cash collections from pay stations.

• To carry out any duties as may be assigned in connection with the introduction of hand-held terminals for the issuing of tickets.

To monitor and enforce The Litter Pollution Act, The Dog Control Act, The Control of Horses Act, The Casual Trading Act, and Municipal District of Kilkenny Bye-Laws.

To assist with the prosecution of the above Acts and Bye-Laws, including the writing of reports, attendance at Courts and giving evidence on behalf of the local authority.

To monitor activities which are licensable by Kilkenny County Council (e.g. opening of roads, placing of skips in public roads, erection of scaffolding, Section 254 licences, derelict sites, and dangerous structures etc) and the notification as appropriate to the Area Engineer/Area Technician.

To identify and notify hazards or problems which require rectification by Kilkenny County Council, for example, hazards on footpaths, damage to signage, inadequate road marking, and ineffective public lighting.

To monitor the illegal use of pedestrian facilities by cyclists and electric scooters.

To notify immediate supervisor of any environment related matters encountered while on duty which may affect Council’s policies and procedures.

To assist with local events; that is participation in the staffing of festivals and sporting events.

To liaise closely with staff of various sections of Kilkenny County Council as required to undertake duties.

To liaise with An Garda Síochána at local level, and also with local Area Engineer and other appropriate officers of Kilkenny County Council.

To wear a uniform as provided by Kilkenny County Council when on duty.

To avail of modern communications such as mobile phones, radio, etc. as directed and co-operate with and use any new technology/equipment that may be provided.

To keep such books and records as directed by the Local Authority associated with any aspect of Community Warden Duties.

To be enthusiastic, vigilant, and alert at all times.

To assist and provide members of the public with local information in relation to the location of facilities and provision of assistance and directions.

To perform all duties required in a courteous and efficient manner.

Perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Director of Services/Senior Engineer/Executive Engineer or as delegated.

To carry the sword and mace for civic functions.

The above specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

4.0 PARTICULARS OF OFFICE4.1 TYPE OF POST

To form a panel from which relevant vacancies may be filled during the lifetime of the panel.

4.2 SALARY

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

In accordance with EL02/2011 persons who are not serving Local Authority employees must be placed on the minimum of the scale. Where a person being appointed is a serving Local Authority employee normal starting pay rules will apply. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government policy.

The current salary scale for the position is €834.90 minimum to €901.81 maximum inclusive of LSI.

4.3 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.

4.4 SUPERANNUATION CONTRIBUTION

4.4.1 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. It applies to all first-time entrants to the Public Service as well as former public servants returning to the public sector after a break of more than 26 weeks.

Your contributions will be made up of 3% of your gross pensionable remuneration and 3.5% of your net pensionable remuneration (your gross pensionable remuneration less twice the value of the Contributory State Pension).

Your normal retirement age under this scheme is the same age at which you can claim the Contributory State Pension. The minimum age for receipt of this pension is Age 66. There is a compulsory retirement age of 70 years.

4.4.2 Persons who commenced in Public Service Employment after 6th April 1995 and prior to 1st January 2013: Persons who became pensionable employees after 6th April 1995 and prior to 1st of January 2013, without a break in employment, will join the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998.

Contributions are payable at the rate of 1.5% of your basic salary, 3.5% of basic salary less twice two times the value of the Contributory State Pension and a further 1.5% is payable for spouse and children’s contributions.

• Non-officer grades pay a co-ordinated contribution.

• ‘Non-New Entrants’ (those who became pensionable after 6th of April 1995 and prior to 1st April 2004) have a minimum retirement age of 60 and a compulsory retirement age of 70.

• ‘New Entrants’ (those who became pensionable after 1st April 2004 and prior to 1st January 2013) have minimum retirement age of 65 with no compulsory retirement age.

4.4.3 Persons who commenced in Public Service Employment before 6th April 1995: Their minimum retirement age is 60 and they have a compulsory retirement age of 70 as per Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government Circular Letter CL/2/2019. Contributions are 5% of basic salary and 1.5% of basic salary toward Widow’s & Orphan’s or Spouse & Children’s Scheme.

4.5 PENSION ABATEMENT

If the appointee was previously employed in the Civil Service or in the Public Service please note that the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 (Section 52) includes a provision which extends abatement of pension for all Civil and Public Servants who are re-employed where a Public Service Pension is in payment.

This provision to apply abatement across the wider public service came into effect on 1 November 2012. This may have pension implications for any person appointed to this position that is currently in receipt of a Civil or Public Service pension or has a preserved Civil or Public Service pension which will come into payment during his/her employment in this position.

Prior to appointment, successful applicants will be obliged to complete a declaration in relation to previous Public Service pensionable employment.

Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/Office will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position.

4.6 PENSION ACCRUAL

A 40-year limit on total service that can be counted towards pension where a person has been a member of more than one pre-existing public service pension scheme (i.e. non-Single Scheme) as per the 2012 Act shall apply.

This 40-year limit is provided for in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012. This may have implications for any appointee who has acquired pension rights in a previous public service employment.

4.7 PROBATION

The following provisions shall apply: 4.7.1 There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold such office on probation. 4.7.2 Such period shall be 12 months but the Chief Executive may at his/her discretion extend such period. 4.7.3 Such persons shall cease to hold such employment at end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

4.8 PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL EXAMINATION

For the purposes of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for each successful applicant, before he/she is appointed, to complete a pre-employment questionnaire which will be examined by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by Kilkenny County Council.

In some circumstances an in-person medical examination may have to be arranged.

In the event the applicant does not take up the post following the pre-employment medical, he/she will reimburse Kilkenny County Council the cost of the medical questionnaire/examination, as per a previously signed understanding.

4.9 HOURS OF WORK

The person appointed will be required to work a 39-hour week on a rota system within the period 08:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and Saturdays. The person appointed may be required to work overtime outside of rostered hours from time to time.

The council reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time subject to the requirement of the service. All hours worked will be subject to the provisions of the Organisation Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001.

4.10 ANNUAL LEAVE

Annual leave entitlement for this position is 25 days per annum in accordance with Department of Environment, Community & Local Government Circular LG(P) 07/2011.

4.11 TRAVEL

When required to do so holders of the office shall hold a full Irish driving licence for class B vehicles free from endorsement and disqualification 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.

It is Kilkenny County Council policy that all staff using their private cars for work purposes, regardless of the frequency should:

Indemnify Kilkenny County Council on their personal insurance policy.

Note business class on their personal policy.

It is the obligation of the driver/owner to ensure that the vehicle is fit to be on the public road.

When applicable for specific roles, travelling 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 any other relevant documents.

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.

4.12 LOCATION

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.

4.13 SAFETY, HEALTH & WELFARE

The holder of the post shall comply with Kilkenny County Council’s Safety Management System. He/she shall familiarise him/herself with the Safety statement for his/her section and all the associated safety & health risk assessments, safe systems of work, and procedures and make proper use of all safety clothing and equipment.

Failure to comply with the Safety Statement and its requirements may result in disciplinary action.