Energy Officer

Character Candidates shall be of good character.

Health Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education, Experience, Etc. Candidates shall: (a) hold an honours degree (level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in Engineering; (b) have at least five years satisfactory relevant engineering experience; (c) possess a high standard of technical training and experience; and (d) possess a high standard of administrative experience.

Essential Skills and Experience Candidates will demonstrate through their application form and at interview that he/she has/is:

• Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills;
• Self-motivated with a record of demonstrating initiative in a work place environment;
• Sufficient knowledge and understanding of engineering works;
• Good judgement, problem-solving and decision- making skills;
• Competence in the area of information technology;
• Good technical knowledge base;
• Appreciation, understanding, knowledge and practice of health and safety issues;
• Good understanding of Local Government policy, issues, initiatives and services;
• Excellent people management skills;
• Excellent financial/budgetary skills;
• Excellent influencing and negotiating skills;
• Ability to work alone or as part of a team;
• Good planning and organisational skills;
• Ability to analyse data and formulate recommendations.

Desirable Requirements It is desirable that each candidate shall: - (a) Hold a qualification in Energy Services or Energy Management a. Certified Energy Manager (CEM) (b) Have experience in energy data management, energy consumption Monitoring and Reporting (M&R) (and other reporting methods) to SEAI (c) Demonstration of knowledge and experience in implementation and maintaining ISO50001 energy management system (d) Have experience in the design, project management, and energy efficiency projects (e) Have knowledge and experience of the following: - • Energy auditing practices and reporting • Non-domestic Building Energy Rating (BER) assessment and modelling • Display Energy Certificates (DECs) and (BERs) for public buildings (f) Have experience in the design, funding and project management, of renewable energy projects, electrical or thermal (g) Have an understanding of public sector obligations in relation to energy efficiencyand carbon reduction targets, climate change and how energy use impacts it (h) Have a high level of technical competence and experience in formulating, implementing and managing strategies, plans, studies or processes including stakeholder engagement (i) Demonstrate a record of excellent project management skills resulting in successful outcomes including collaboration with internal and external stakeholders (j) Demonstrate the ability to simultaneously manage and co-ordinate multiple projects of differing scale, nature and complexity (k) Demonstrate a track record of excellent communication skills including building relationships with other agencies (l) Demonstrate a high level of IT competence (m) Have experience in participation in EU projects including seeking funding, developing international partners, project application and management (n) Have competence and experience of financial and budget management. PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT The Role: The post is being created as part of the Mid East Energy Unit where Wicklow County Council is the lead Authority, under a Funding Agreement with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), and Service Level Agreements between Wicklow County Council, Kildare County Council, Louth County Council and Meath County Council. The Energy Unit will work in collaboration with the SEAI to deliver energy efficiency and carbon reduction projects in the public sector via the Pathfinder scheme, operated by the SEAI. As per the Climate Action Mandate of the Climate Action Plan 2025, the public sector have the following targets to work towards.

By 2030, every public sector organisation is required to achieve:

• 51% reduction in energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
• 51% reduction in thermal (heating and transport) related greenhouse gas emissions
• 50% improvement in energy efficiency

A panel may be formed from which future positions may be filled. The successful candidate(s) may be assigned as required to any of the Municipal Districts/Directorates under the Chief Executive’s control or to any premises/location in use by the Council now or in the future.

The office is 5 year fixed term contract. Duties of the Energy Services Officer shall include, but not be limited to the following: The duties of the office are to give to the local authority and (a) to such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts 2001 – 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 sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph. Under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other officer as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate professional technical services of an executive, administrative or management nature, as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The holder of the office will, if required, act for an officer of a higher level.

• Wicklow County Council are certified to ISO 50001, updating and maintaining the ISO 50001 Energy Management system o Surveillance audits and re-certification process o Monthly reports on energy usage and performance o Updating and maintaining legal register and compliance
• Manage the Energy Management Team and team meetings.
• Manage the day to day operation and maintenance of energy usage in Local Authority owned buildings.
• Take the lead role in project and contract management within the Local Authority to achieve 2030 GHG reduction and other relevant targets for the Local Authority
• Reporting annually to SEAI to fulfil the Monitoring and Reporting (M&R) requirements
• Assist in the implementation, preparation and management of Energy Performance Contracts. Identify and develop any opportunities for future EPCs
• Maintain all energy usage data in an energy management system and collate all data required for reporting and project identification
• Using the GAP to Target Tool, identify savings to be made in electricity consumption or heating in Local Authority owned buildings.
• Deliver Energy efficiency and energy reduction projects in the local authority via the Pathfinder Scheme, operated by the SEAI.
• Managing the procurement contracts with OGP for utilities (electricity and natural gas)
• Work in collaboration with each of the other local authorities in the Mid East Energy Unit on the delivery of pathfinder projects to achieve the 2030 energy efficiency and carbon reduction targets.
• Communication with internal and external stakeholders on progress on energy management system and 2030 project delivery as required

o Energy Awareness Campaigns o SPC o Climate Action o Green Team o Council Meetings Probation: Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply: (a) there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold such office on probation; (b) such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may at his discretion extend such period; (c) 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.

Salary: €59,067 – €82,108 per annum includes 2nd LSI in accordance with Circular letter EL 03/2025. The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of any services, which they are required by or under any enactment to perform. Starting pay shall be determined in accordance with appropriate Departmental Circular letters. New Entrants will be placed on the minimum of salary scale.

Location: Holders of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Hours of Work: The person appointed will be required to work a 35 hour week Monday to Friday, which equates to a 7 hour day to be accounted for within attendance hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A flexi system is also in operation.

Health: For the purposes of satisfying the requirements as to health, it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo at their expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the Local Authority. On taking up appointment the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to candidates.

Annual Leave: Annual leave entitlement will be 30 days per annum exclusive of public holidays and Good Friday. 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.

Garda Vetting: Candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting. Appointment(s) will be considered having regard to receipt of satisfactory Garda Vetting, particularly to determine suitability to work with children/vulnerable adults.

Retirement: There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the Public Service as defined in the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. Persons who are NOT new entrants to the Public Service as defined in the Public Services Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004 are subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years. With effect from 1st January 2013, persons who are pensionable under the terms of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will have a minimum retirement age of 66 years initially rising in line with the State Pension age changes. Members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme have a compulsory retirement age of 70 years.

Superannuation: Persons who become pensionable public servants on or after 1st January 2013 will become members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme and, as such, will be required to pay contributions of 3% of pensionable remuneration and 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). Persons who become pensionable officers 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 the 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). Persons who become pensionable officers 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.