Environmental Awareness Officer

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent or temporary vacancies for the position of Environmental Awareness Officer in Monaghan County Council shall be filled. The Environmental Awareness Officer shall report to the Administrative Officer or other officer as designated by the relevant Director of Service.

The Role

The Environmental Awareness Officer works as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering regulatory, enforcement, and awareness activities in Waste, Litter Management, Water Quality, Air Quality, Climate Action, Biodiversity, energy and other areas of Environmental care.

The role requires a combination of technical understanding and knowledge of the science, legislation, policies and plans that underpin the Local Authority’s role in Environmental Management, with an ability to translate same to a diverse range of audiences with a varied understanding of Environmental issues.

The role also requires a clear knowledge and understanding of local authority services and its key stakeholders and relationships, local government structures and its democratic role and mandate, current local government issues, future trends and strategic direction of the sector.

The Environmental Awareness Officer shall assist the Council in achieving its key objectives through education, awareness, promoting conservation and sustainability and enhancing the public’s enjoyment of the environment through a targeted and interactive environmental awareness programme.

The ideal candidate

It is desirable that candidates demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that he/she has:

• Have both the ability to work on one’s own initiative as well as experience of effective project team management. • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. • Have a positive outlook and enjoy working with people. • Good administrative, report writing, and IT skills. • An ability to achieve targets and deliver results as an individual and as part of a team. • An ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders. • Strong verbal and written communication skills. • Strong organisational, negotiation and problem resolution skills. • A good understanding and working knowledge of Health & Safety standards and requirements including risk assessments. • Knowledge and experience of environmental legislation. • Experience in the supervision and control of staff. • Have a strong sense of ownership of their work and attention to detail.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Environmental Awareness Officer shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned in relation to employment and as may be appropriate to any function of the Environment Section and shall carry out such instructions as may be given in relation to the performance of their duties.

The key duties and responsibilities of the post will include but are not limited to the following:

• Working as part of the Council’s Environment and Climate Action team and as part of the Council generally in the development of relevant policies and plans for the protection of the county’s environment including litter and waste management, biodiversity, and climate change; • Delivering an annual education and awareness campaign, in line with the Council’s Litter Management Plan, the national Waste Management Plan for the Circular Economy, and National Enforcement Priorities, and reinforce the core civic/personal responsibility messages of environmental protection; • Working with all schools, community and voluntary groups, and business groups in their efforts to promote a cleaner and healthier environment, and strengthen multi-agency cooperation, shared learning and partnerships to positively impact the county’s landscape; • Promoting and supporting the delivery of Monaghan County Council’s environmental policies, climate actions, and regional environmental plans, including areas of waste resource management, litter management, recycling, pollution prevention, conservation and protection of amenities; • Compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence, etc.; • Participating in Citizen Engagement and delivering public presentations on Environmental topics and Climate Change Actions; • Researching, developing and delivering environmental awareness education programmes (including climate action, and biodiversity), and resources for schools, community/other groups regularly; • Actively promoting Monaghan County Council’s Environmental Services and Climate Action through public information sessions, seminars and workshops, leaflets, newsletters, website, social media or other avenues as appropriate; • Managing financial and budgetary requirements including grants and project funding; • Managing and motivating the team and ensuring effective team building; • Dealing with the media, including the writing of speeches, press releases, radio interviews; • Working with cross sectoral committees, elected members and working groups in all areas of Climate Action, Biodiversity and Environmental Awareness; • Promoting good practice and dissemination of information on other aspects of the environment such as protection of natural waters, heritage issues, planning and conservation and the promotion of sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices; • Attending events and meetings outside normal working hours (such as evenings and weekends); • Promoting the involvement of schools in environmental awareness programmes, including the coordination and implementation of the Green Schools Award Scheme; • Drafting of the Litter Management Plan and all the processes that go together, i.e. public consultation, bringing the plan to SPC, CPG and the main council for approval etc.; • Availing of all funding opportunities to promote Environmental Awareness on behalf of Monaghan County Council, i.e. ALAG, Environmental Fund, Green Business Hub etc.; • Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time including any future requirements for reallocation of work and/or redeployment.

These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and outline the main functions and responsibilities of the post of the Environmental Awareness Officer and may be subject to change in the future. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above and to take instruction from and report to an appropriate officer or such designated officer as may be assigned from time to time by Monaghan County Council.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

Health

Each candidate shall 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 and Experience

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

• Have satisfactory experience at a level not lower than that of Assistant Staff Officer or have at least two years satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or in an analogous post

OR

• Have at least 2 years satisfactory experience in an environmental, marketing or public relations discipline to include experience in environmental awareness, waste management, sustainable development goals, biodiversity and climate action.

AND

• Have reached a standard of education sufficient to enable him/her to carry out the duties assigned to him/her satisfactorily.

Driver Licence

The holder of the post shall hold a current full clean driving licence in respect of category B vehicles or equivalent in the EU Model Driving License.

Essential Skills:

• Have a broad knowledge and understanding of environmental issues at a local, national and EU level. • Have excellent communication skills, interpersonal, presentation, organisational, report writing, analytical and IT skills, with a proven ability to work to tight deadlines and a capacity to foster a positive working relationship with colleagues and external stakeholders. • Have a high degree of self-motivation, initiative and judgement. • Possess project/budget management skills and demonstrated experience in this area. • Possess experience in managing/facilitating working groups, research groups, workshops, public consultation events in the environmental area. • Possess excellent report writing skills and can communicate in writing and orally at a high level to different audiences.

Desirable Skills:

• A third level (Degree) qualification in a related Environment, Science, Geography, Teaching, Marketing, Public Relations or Business discipline while not essential would be desirable. • Possess excellent communication & presentation skills and experience in public awareness, stakeholder engagement and media management. • Possess financial management skills including experience in preparing and managing budgets.

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.

Each candidate must include on the application form details of all qualifications obtained by them. The invitation to attend for Interview is not to be regarded as an admission that you possess the prescribed qualifications and/or requirements for this post or are you qualified by law to hold the post. Documentary proof will be required before appointment where you claim credit for particular qualification, experience, etc.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

Key Competencies for the post are outlined in the table below. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form and at interview of competence under each of these headings.

Competency

Management and Change

• Be effective in translating corporate mission and objectives into operational plans and outputs. • Has the ability to think and act strategically when managing climate and environmental awareness programmes, environmental incidents and enforcement activity. • Develop and maintain positive, productive and beneficial working relationships. • Effectively manage the introduction of change and demonstrate flexibility and openness to change.

Delivering Results

• Contributes to the development of environmental operational plans having regard to corporate priorities, environmental operational objectives and lead the development of team plans. • Demonstrates the ability to develop and implement successful climate, sustainable development, environmental protection and awareness raising campaigns. • Plan and prioritise work and resources effectively and take responsibility for the delivery of results and bringing projects and tasks to completion. • Establish high-quality service and customer care standards. • Make timely, informed and effective decisions and show good judgement and balance in making decisions or recommendation. • Have effective verbal and written communication skills.

Performance through People and Communicating effectively

• Lead, motivate and engage employees and stakeholders to achieve quality results and to deliver on operational plans. • Effectively manages performance. • Has excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication skills. • Is assertive and professional in dealing with challenging issues. • Expresses self in a clear and articulate manner when speaking and in writing.

Personal Effectiveness

• Take initiative and seek opportunities to exceed goals. • Manage time and workload effectively and operate in an environment with significant complexity and pace. • Maintain a positive, constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role and is motivated in the face of obstacles and difficulties. • Remains calm under pressure and has the ability to manage the delivery of several tasks/projects.

Essential Requirements

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of Local Government. • Demonstrate the understanding of current local government issues, priorities, and concerns and the strategic direction of local government. • Understands the role of Environmental Awareness Officer. • Has relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level. • Has experience of managing and supervising staff, including managing performance. • Experience of compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence, etc. • Effective budget and financial and resource management skills. • Has knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

PRINCIPAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Competition

Monaghan County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons, who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel for the post of Environmental Awareness Officer. The post(s) shall be wholetime, permanent/temporary, and pensionable.

The post holder shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an employee of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority, or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of his/her duties as a local authority employee.

Salary:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. Holders of the post 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 services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform. An allowance may also be payable in respect of travel expenses and subsistence.

The salary scale for the post is:

€58,474 - €59,869 - €61,570 - €64,767 - €66,677 - 1st LSI €69,051 - 2nd LSI €71,437

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage. Appointees who are not existing public servants will enter at the minimum point of the scale.

Probation:

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a local authority is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) there shall be a period after such appointment takes effect, during which such person shall hold such position on probation;

(b) such period shall be twelve months, but the Chief Executive may, at his discretion, extend such period;

(c) such person shall cease to hold such office at the end of the period of probation, unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory.

Hours of Duty:

The successful candidate’s normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. Flexible working arrangements apply. However, the successful candidate must be flexible, and willing to work evenings and weekends to accommodate the service needs. Time in lieu shall be granted for any hours worked outside of the standard working week in accordance with Monaghan County Council’s Time in Lieu Policy. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement will be 30 days per annum.

Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority.

Superannuation:

Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment.