Community Water Officer

INTRODUCTION

The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000 seeks to protect and improve our natural waters, including rivers, lakes, groundwater, coastal water and transitional waters. The Water Framework Directive environmental objectives are outlined in the National River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) and measures to achieve them in our Programmes of Measures (POMs).

In July 2014, the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government issued the European Union (Water Policy) Regulations 2014, which gave effect to a new, three-tier governance framework and placed new obligations on local authorities to co-ordinate the catchment management and public participation elements of the Water Framework Directive.

To enable local authorities to meet their objectives, they have established the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) to facilitate a coordinated regional approach. Kilkenny County Council and Tipperary County Council, acting jointly, have been appointed as lead local authorities to act on behalf of all local authorities in managing this Programme. The Programme has two main elements: the Communities Team and the Catchment Assessment Team.

CONTEXT

LAWPRO is leading a new approach to water management in Ireland that involves coordination and close cooperation between local authorities, WFD implementing bodies and stakeholders for the development and implementation of national River Basin Management Plans. The overall aim of this approach is to protect and restore good water quality in Ireland's rivers, lakes, estuaries, groundwater and coastal waters through integrated catchment management. Achieving that aim will require active involvement of local authorities and other public bodies, water users and local communities.

Implementation of the River Basin Management Plan is co-ordinated on a regional basis by the five WFD Regional and Environment Management Committees, comprising representatives of each local authority in the region and the EPA. This structure drives collaboration and integration, both within local authorities, between local authorities and externally with other public agencies. The shared service's approach to delivery includes all stakeholders through a multidisciplinary, multi-agency structure.

This shared service arrangement takes account of the need to deliver maximum benefit with limited resource availability. LAWPRO ensures that its resources are utilised locally to implement the Water Action Plan 2024 and the proposed 2022–2027 River Basin Management Plan (RBMP).

The strategic role of the Programme is:

• To promote knowledge sharing and coordination in implementing the Water Action Plan 2024 and Programme of Measures (POMs) by local authorities, other public authorities, sectoral interests and community groups.
• To co-ordinate and undertake statutorily required public consultation in the development of the National Water Action Plan (WAP) and Programme of Measures (POMs), and a public awareness campaign in water resources management.
• To deliver on the actions assigned to them in the Water Action Plan.
• To seek consistency of Water Action Plan implementation across agencies through the operation of the WFD Regional Committees.
• To assist the Minister and the EPA and work collaboratively with local authorities in the development of the Water Action Plan and Programme of Measures.
• To mobilise and support engagement of voluntary and community groups in protecting our natural waters.
• To foster linkages with industry and agricultural sectors.
• To develop linkages with local sectoral representative organisations, such as Catchment Partnerships, Rural Development Companies, Rivers Trusts, Tidy Towns Groups, business and industry sectors including Chambers of Commerce, farming organisations, sports clubs and volunteering sectors, angling and outdoor recreational user groups, etc.

A panel will be formed from which subsequent Community Water Officer fixed-term positions in any other current or future LAWPRO location across the country may be filled.

You are required to select the locations you are interested in being considered for offers from the list of locations below. You will only be considered for positions in the locations/areas you have selected.

LAWPRO offices are currently located as follows:

• Cork – Inniscarra
• Donegal – Donegal Town and Bundoran
• Dublin City – Bridge Street Lower
• Galway City – Liosbán Estate
• Kerry – Tralee
• Kildare – Naas
• Kilkenny – Kilkenny City
• Leitrim – Carrick-on-Shannon
• Limerick – Croom
• Mayo – Castlebar
• Monaghan – Ballybay
• Offaly – Tullamore
• Sligo – Sligo Town
• Roscommon – Roscommon Town
• Wicklow – Wicklow Town
• Tipperary (HQ) – Clonmel and Tipperary Town
• Longford – Longford Town

A Fixed-Term Contract of Employment will be issued by the relevant lead Local Authority, and it is envisaged that the contract will terminate on or before 22 December 2027.

A review of LAWPRO has been undertaken by the City and County Managers Association (CCMA), and a Business Case is being considered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to inform the appropriate level of resources and involvement required to meet Water Framework Directive objectives into the future. Public consultation on the timetable and work programme for Ireland's fourth-cycle Water Action Plan 2028–2033 has commenced.

It is likely that parts of the work schedule will be outside normal office hours, so flexibility will be required.

Should current permanent/full-time Local Authority staff be successful and accept a post in this competition, appropriate secondment arrangements will be put in place.

JOB REQUIREMENTSMINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Eligibility Requirements are the minimum requirements required for the specialist Community Water Officer position and are set out by LAWPRO in consultation with Kilkenny County Council/Tipperary County Council Human Resources Departments and the Water Policy Unit of the DHLGH, as they are not set centrally by the Department.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Failure to upload all required documents, i.e. qualifications, ID, etc., at submission stage will automatically result in an invalid application.
• Candidates should satisfy themselves that their educational qualifications meet the minimum requirements for this position.
• 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. Failure to do so will deem your application inadmissible.
• Failure to fully complete each question on the application form may deem your application invalid (answers which redirect to other responses are not permitted).

Applicants will be required to submit scanned images of documentation to establish that they meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:

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 citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or
• A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
• A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
• A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA, UK or Swiss citizen and has a Stamp 4 visa; or
• 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
• A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state, the UK or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa.

Education, Experience, etc.

Candidates shall:

• Possess a FETAC/QQI Level 7 or equivalent qualification in Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering with a minimum of two years' post-qualification experience relevant to the requirements of the role;

or

• Possess a FETAC/QQI Level 7 or equivalent qualification in Sustainable Rural Development or Community Development with a minimum of two years' post-qualification experience relevant to the requirements of the role;

or

• Possess an equivalent educational qualification with a minimum of two years' post-qualification experience relevant to the requirements of the role;

or

• Possess a minimum of three years' experience relevant to the requirements of the role.

Transport & Driving Licence

It is essential that the candidate has their own transport and a full Irish driving licence free from endorsements.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

A good knowledge of local government functions, policy, services and activities, or the ability to quickly acquire such knowledge.

The ideal candidate shall:

• Have strong communication skills with a proven track record in developing community groups and delivering community projects.
• Have a good appreciation of environmental matters, including pollutants and water quality mechanisms by which surface waters and groundwater are impacted by pollution.
• Be able to work within and lead community groups, and motivate, empower and encourage such groups to achieve maximum commitment and potential.
• Be able to work on their own and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Have knowledge and awareness of Health & Safety legislation and regulations, their implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace.
• Possess good IT skills.

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

JOB DESCRIPTIONROLE

Reporting to a LAWPRO Senior Community Water Officer, the Community Water Officer will work as part of a team and will be responsible for delivering an annual work programme across an assigned geographical area (it is proposed that 16 Community Water Officers will cover 26 counties).

The role will require the post holder to actively engage with the public on water matters, seeking participation, education, local inclusion, two-way communication, understanding and trust. The post holder will work with and assist communities and groups to develop local area water management plans in partnership with stakeholders to meet Water Action Plan (WAP) objectives. This person will be the main conduit in delivering outreach on public education and participation in their allocated areas.

The successful post holder will require strong communication skills with an environmental and/or community development background. Significant parts of the work schedule will be outside normal office hours.

Tasks associated with this role include:

• Mobilise public participation and action in protecting our natural waters.
• Develop local capacity to participate in the management of our natural waters.
• Work with and assist communities in planning Water Action Plan local implementation actions.
• Facilitate and assist communities in developing local Programmes of Measures.
• Participate in and support water quality-related activities and be an advocate for water.
• Develop and maintain linkages with various sectors of society such as agriculture, industry, Chambers of Commerce, environmental NGOs, etc.
• Assist in developing and implementing a programme of proactive public liaison.
• Develop communication and networks with NGOs.
• Organise river walks for, and in conjunction with, interested groups.
• Provide resources for schools and teachers.
• Assist NGOs with identifying funding resources.
• Assist NGOs with preparing local Water Action Plans.
• Prepare and distribute newsletters.
• Engage proactively with the news media.
• Assist in setting up River Trusts and water-related NGOs and liaise with them.
• Be an ambassador for water quality at public events.
• Develop and facilitate participatory events, e.g. citizen science initiatives.
• Liaise and collaborate with Local Authority Environmental Awareness Officers, Heritage Officers, Biodiversity Officers, Climate Action Officers and Local Community Enterprise Officers.
• Engage proactively with Local Authority Public Participation Networks and Community Engagement Networks.

The Community Water Officer will be employed by either Kilkenny County Council or Tipperary County Council.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICESalary

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/Tipperary County Council any fees or other monies (other than inclusive salary) payable to and received by virtue of the office or in respect of services which they are 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 post is €52,761 to €63,109, inclusive of Long Service Increments.

Superannuation ContributionPublic Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012

New members joining the public sector on or after 1 January 2013 are 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 after a break of more than 26 weeks.

Contributions consist of:

• 3% of gross pensionable remuneration.
• 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration.

The normal retirement age is the same as the qualifying age for the Contributory State Pension. The minimum pension age is 66 years, and the compulsory retirement age is 70 years.

Persons Who Commenced Public Service Employment After 6 April 1995 and Before 1 January 2013

These employees will join the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998.

Contributions are payable at:

• 1.5% of basic salary.
• 3.5% of adjusted basic salary.
• 1.5% towards spouses' and children's contributions.

Non-new entrants have a minimum retirement age of 60 and a compulsory retirement age of 70.

New entrants have a minimum retirement age of 65 with no compulsory retirement age.

Persons Who Commenced Public Service Employment Before 6 April 1995

The minimum retirement age is 60 and the compulsory retirement age is 70.

Contributions are:

• 5% of basic salary.
• 1.5% towards the Widow's & Orphan's or Spouse & Children's Scheme.

Pension Abatement

If the appointee was previously employed in the Civil Service or Public Service, the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 provides for the abatement of pension where a Public Service pension is already in payment.

Prior to appointment, successful applicants must complete a declaration regarding previous Public Service pensionable employment.

By applying for this position, applicants acknowledge that these abatement provisions may apply where relevant.

Pension Accrual

A 40-year limit applies to 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 (non-Single Scheme), in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

Hours of Work

The hours of work are 35 hours per week, including a significant proportion of work outside normal office hours.

The salary paid is in respect of all 35 hours worked.

Annual Leave

Annual leave entitlement is 30 days per annum in accordance with Department of Environment, Community & Local Government Circular LG(P) 07/2011.

Travel

Where required, holders of the office must hold a full Class B driving licence free from endorsement and disqualification and must drive a motor car in the course of their duties, providing and maintaining a vehicle to the satisfaction of the Local Authority.

It is Kilkenny County Council/Tipperary County Council policy that all staff using private vehicles for work purposes must:

• Indemnify Kilkenny County Council/Tipperary County Council on their personal insurance policy.
• Have business use included on their personal insurance policy.
• Ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy and fit for use on the public road.

Where applicable, travelling and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with the appropriate Department Circulars and other relevant guidance.

If, during employment, a driving licence is revoked, even temporarily, or endorsements are received that may affect the ability to carry out duties, the Council must be notified immediately.