Dog Warden

Role and Responsibility:

The overall role and responsibility of the Dog Warden is the management of Longford County Council’s dog control service and the dog pound. This will involve attending to and managing all animals at the pound and maintaining all associated records. It will involve dealing with the public, liaising with and working alongside co-workers and reporting to the Administrative Officer, to ensure all duties are carried out to the highest level.

The following list of legislation will act as a guide to the duties involved and as such a formal qualification as Registered Veterinary Nurse or in animal care will be desirable.

• Control of Dogs (XL Bully) Regulations 2024 S.I. No 491/2024

• Control of Dogs Act 1986, as amended, including Regulations made there under

• Pounds Act 1935, and Regulations made there under

• Animals Act 1985

• Control of Horses Act 1996 and Regulations made there under

• European Communities (Identification of Equidae) Regulations 2015

• Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010

• Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013

• Micro-chipping of Dogs Regulations 2015

Health and Safety

The person employed will be required to perform assigned duties exercising a duty of care, in the interest of safety of oneself, fellow employees and the general public, at all times in compliance with Longford County Council’s Health & Safety Management System. Working in a safe manner, in full compliance with the relevant safety legislation and construction regulations, will be the primary responsibility of all Dog Wardens.

A Dog Warden’s duties may include but will not be limited to;

Governance

a) Be familiar with relevant policies, bye-laws and legislation and be authorised under the relevant legislation

b) Implement procedures in accordance with training provided

Management

a) Carry out duties at the dog pound and dog control service as required in conjunction with other Wardens, administrative section, and the general veterinary service provider and in line with the dog pound animal health programme.

b) Work closely with An Garda Siochana, ISPCA, Animal Welfare Charities and other stakeholders in relation to dog control issues.

c) Contribute to the development of the dog control service.

Administration

a) Keep accurate records of all dog control related matters

b) Keep and maintain the register of pound dogs and their traceability records

c) Keep a register of all dog related calls

d) Submit reports in relation to work under your charge as may be required

e) Maintain detailed records in relation to enforcement issues, including those of alleged offences as required for the purpose of Court Proceedings.

f) Liaise closely with Administrative Staff in the preparation of evidence for court

g) Attend Court and give evidence when required to do so.

h) Completion of annual dog control statistics return and other periodic returns/reports

i) Provide assistance as required with Freedom of Information and other requests

j) Prepare reports for prosecution of offenders under the relevant legislation, and attending court where necessary

k) Applying for a court order in relation to dangerous dogs

l) Attend and give evidence in court

m) Use all information technology equipment provided

Operational

a) Wear uniform and use PPE as provided

b) Ensure the Pound is open and attended at required times

c) Seizure and detention of stray and surrendered dogs, including all associated administration

d) Contact the administrative section promptly when a dog enters the pound, when any other significant issue arises.

e) Ensure no animal is accepted without appropriate fees being paid in advance at the cash desk and no animal is released without appropriate fees being paid in advance to the cash desk and all relevant documentation is completed and maintained

f) Microchip dogs as required and scan, record and register all details of microchips

g) Take all reasonable steps to trace and identify the owners or keepers of stray dogs or uncontrolled dogs and where possible, to return such dogs to their owners.

h) Request as necessary any person appearing to be the owner or keeper of a dog to produce a relevant licence.

i) Ensure animal welfare is maintained to the highest standard at all times and report any illness or injury to contracted general veterinary service provider

j) Maintain the Dog Pound, (including the kennels, mats, structures and equipment) in a clean and sanitary condition with due regard at all times to the comfort and welfare of dogs held in the County Council’s Pound.

k) Investigate complaints in relation to dog control and dog breeding establishment issues

l) Carry out house to house calls in relation to dog control matters

m) Carry out regular patrols in housing estates and other areas as required

n) Prepare and issue fixed penalty notices

o) Ensure maximum dog licensing levels in county, including carrying out house to house checks

p) Assist with/carry out the inspection of dog breeding establishments and report on same.

q) Facilitate education in relation to responsible dog ownership e.g. sheep worrying

r) Carry out health and safety inspection on the dog pound and assist with internal and external audits

s) Arrange the humane euthanasia of dogs when required by Court Order or otherwise.

t) Carry out any horse related duties as required from time to time

u) Cooperate with the Longford Urban Horse Education Project.

The above specifications are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform such duties appropriate to the post, which may be assigned from time to time.

The work will be carried out in accordance with established work practices or as negotiated from time to time. Person appointed will be required to report to work location at the location notified to him/her by the supervisor.

Employees must attend at all training courses deemed necessary by their employer for their area of work, and exercise the skills and knowledge learnt when required to do so. The successful candidate may be required to successfully pass a Safe Pass course as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

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) 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

Education, training, experience, etc

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms -

a) Have a standard of education such as will enable the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.

b) A working knowledge of software packages (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, online applications, smart handheld devices etc).

c) Hold a full clean B Driving Licence

d) Be able to write concise and legible reports

e) Experience in handling animals is required and Registered Veterinary Nurse or other formal training in animal care is desirable

f) Have experience working with Dog/voluntary/disadvantaged groups

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT

The Post

The post is wholetime (i.e. 39 hours per week) and appointment may be permanent or temporary.

Location

Longford County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidates to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future.

The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

Commencement

Longford County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Longford County Council shall not appoint them.

Working Hours

The Dog Warden/Pound Keeper will be required to work a 39-hour week, incorporating attendance of 2 hours each day, every second Saturday and Sunday. The working week will include (a) periodic early morning and evening work, (b) weekend work. Attendance may also be required at such specific times as may be notified by the Council from time to time.

The hours and days of work may be subject to change from week to week, start and finish times will be determined and notified in advance. Longford County Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time in line with Government guidance.

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. Longford County Council requires all employees to record their hours using the Council’s attendance management system.

Reporting Arrangements

The Dog Warden will report directly to the appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Longford County Council as designated for this purpose.

A system of regular appraisal will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Probationary Period of Employment

There shall be a period after appointment during which the appointee will hold the position on probation. The period of probation will be prescribed by the Chief Executive.

Employment may be terminated during the probationary period should service be deemed by the Chief Executive to be unsatisfactory. Employment may be terminated at the end of the probationary period unless the Chief Executive has certified that the employee had satisfactory service. Tenure of employment following probation will be subject to satisfactory service.

Remuneration

The current scale for the post of Dog Warden is €784.48 - €806.04 gross per week (Circular EL 07/2025) the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Circulars.

On appointment successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the point of the salary scale. Appointment to a higher point of the salary scale may apply to candidates employed elsewhere in the public service, subject to verification of service history.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employees 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.

Superannuation & Retirement

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of the County Council will be required in respect of their Superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the appropriate rate.

The terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 as amended or the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 or the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme & Other Provisions) Act 2012 will apply as appropriate on appointment.

Retirement age for employees is dependent on their relevant contract of employment, with due consideration being given to the rules of the Superannuation Scheme to which they belong.

• For appointees who are deemed not to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, retirement is compulsory on reaching 65 years of age.

• The minimum retirement age for “new entrants” to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 is 65. There is no mandatory retirement age.

• Effective from 1st January, 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new 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:

Retirement age is set, initially, at 66 years; this will rise in step with statutory changes in the State Pension Contributory (SPC) age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028.

Compulsory retirement age will be 70.

Annual Leave

The current annual leave entitlement for Dog Warden is 25 days per annum, in accordance with the Council’s Annual Leave Policy.

The Chief Executive of Longford 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.

Driver’s Licence & Insurance

Employees of Longford County Council may 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.

If, during the course of employment, an employee’s licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if endorsements are received on their licence which may affect their ability to carry out the full range of their duties, the employee is obliged to notify the Council immediately.

It is the responsibility of the employee to arrange the appropriate car insurance cover for business use and to indemnify Longford County Council with the indemnity specified on your 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.

The Dog Warden may be provided with an electric bicycle to carry out their duties.

Code of Conduct/Organisation Policies

Employees are required to adhere to all current and future Longford County Council codes of practice including Code of Conduct of Employees and all current and future organisational policies including, but not limited to Health and Safety, Communications, Data Protection, Equality, Staff Mobility, Attendance Management and Use of Electronic Equipment.

Garda Vetting

A person who is being considered for appointment will be required to complete a Garda Vetting application, the results of which will be considered before an offer of employment is made.

Use of Modern Technology

The successful candidate will be required to use all equipment provided, including computers, hand-held terminals, mobile telephone, electronic equipment, video or other monitoring equipment and any other new technology which may be introduced in the future.

Uniform

The person appointed will be required to wear a uniform (which will be supplied by the County Council) at all times when on duty, unless otherwise authorised by Longford County Council.

Training

Employees are required to attend and participate fully in training programmes as may be decided by the Council from time to time and to apply their learning in the course of their daily working activities.

Period of Acceptance

The local authority shall require persons to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint them.

Health and Safety Regulations

Longford County Council as an Employer is obliged to ensure, so far as it is reasonably practicable the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all of its employees. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the County Council has a legal duty to exercise all due care and take all protective and preventative measures to protect the Safety, Health, and Welfare of its employees.

All employees also have a legal obligation under Safety and Health legislation to co-operate with management and not engage in any improper conduct or behaviour or do anything, which would place themselves or others at risk. Employees must not be under the influence of an intoxicant at the place of work.

Employees must comply with all Safety and Health rules and regulations and attend all required Safety and Health Training.