Community Water Officer

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 offer(s) 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 the December.

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 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 – 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/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, I.D. 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 the applicant meets 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 or UK or Swiss citizen and has a Stamp visa; or
• A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a Stamp 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 or the UK or Switzerland and has a Stamp visa.

Education, Experience, etc.

Candidates shall:

• Possess a FETAC/QQI Level 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 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

• 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 years' experience relevant to the requirements of the role.

TRANSPORT & DRIVING LICENCE

It is essential 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 ground waters 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 multi-disciplinary team.
• Have a 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 I.T. skills.

Applicants should satisfy themselves they are eligible under the required qualifications. Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils 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.

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.

The role will require the post holder to actively engage with the public in water matters, seeking participation, education, local inclusion, two-way communications, understanding and trust. The post holder will work with and assist communities and groups 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 the 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 management of our natural waters.
• Work with and assist communities in planning of WAP local implementation actions.
• Facilitate and assist communities in development of local programmes of measures.
• Participate and help with 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 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), etc.
• Assist in developing and implementation of 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 & teachers.
• Assist NGOs with identifying funding resources.
• Assist NGOs with preparation of local water action plans.
• Prepare and distribute newsletters.
• Engage proactively with news media.
• Assist in setup of River Trusts and water related NGOs and liaise with same.
• 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/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/Tipperary County Councils 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 EL 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 €minimum of the scale to €maximum of the scale inclusive of LSI's.

SUPERANNUATION CONTRIBUTION

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act

New members joining the public sector on or after January 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 weeks. Your contributions will be made up of of your gross pensionable remuneration and of your net pensionable remuneration.

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. There is a compulsory retirement age of years.

Persons who commenced in Public Service Employment after April and prior to January:

Persons who became pensionable employees after April and prior to January, without a break in employment, will join the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme. Contributions are payable at the rate of of your basic salary, of basic salary less twice the value of the Contributory State Pension and a further is payable for spouse and children's contributions.

• Non-New Entrants have a minimum retirement age of and a compulsory retirement age of.
• New Entrants have a minimum retirement age of with no compulsory retirement age.

Persons who commenced in Public Service Employment before April:

Their minimum retirement age is and they have a compulsory retirement age of. Contributions are of basic salary and of basic salary toward Widow's & Orphan's or Spouse & Children's Scheme.

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 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.

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

PENSION ACCRUAL

A 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 shall apply.

PROBATION

The following provisions shall apply:

• There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold such office on probation.
• Such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may at his/her discretion extend such period.
• Such persons shall cease to hold such employment at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL QUESTIONNAIRE / 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/Tipperary County Council.

HOURS OF WORK

The hours of work are hours per week including a significant part of the work schedule that is workable outside of normal office hours. The salary being paid for the post is in respect of all hours worked.

ANNUAL LEAVE

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

TRAVEL

When required to do so holders of the office shall hold a full 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/Tipperary County Councils policy that all staff using their private cars for work purposes, regardless of the frequency should:

• Indemnify Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils on their personal insurance policy.
• Note business class on their personal policy.
• 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.

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.

SAFETY, HEALTH & WELFARE

The holder of the post shall comply with Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils 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.

TRAINING

It is a condition of employment that successful applicants will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

The post-holder will be expected to abide by and adhere to the policies and procedures applicable to Kilkenny/Tipperary County Councils.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process may include:

• Stage: Submission of completed applications and required supporting documents.
• Stage: Eligibility and Shortlisting of applicants on the basis of information submitted in the applications and supporting documents.
• Stage: A competency-based interview which may be conducted face to face or by way of remote interview.
• Stage: Panel formation.