Environmental Control Inspector

The Position

Limerick City and County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which temporary and permanent vacancies for Environmental Control Inspector may be filled throughout the lifetime of the panel.

The Environmental Control Inspector is a member of the Environment and Climate Action Department responsible primarily for the enforcement of Waste and Litter Pollution legislation.

The role of the Environmental Control Inspector is to receive and investigate fully reports relating to breaches of the following:

• Waste Management Act 1996 to 2005 and any Regulations made under these Acts.
• Litter Pollution Act 1997 to 2003 and any Regulations made under these Acts.
• Air Pollution Act 1987 and any Regulations made under this Act.
• Water Pollution Act 1977 & 1990 and any Regulations made under these Acts.
• Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 and any Regulations made under this Act.
• Control of Dogs Act 1997 and any Bye Laws or Regulations made under this Act.
• Control of Horses Act 1996 and any Bye Laws or Regulations made under this Act.
• Derelict Sites Acts.
• Casual Trading Regulations.

The Environmental Control Inspector will arrange, issue and serve any necessary statutory notices. Where a particular course of action is determined, the Environmental Control Inspector will be expected to follow that course of action to its completion.

Purpose, Duties and Responsibilities

The Environmental Control Inspector will report to the Director for Environmental Policy or their nominee(s) but will be expected to liaise with other relevant personnel in that Directorate and in the Council generally.

The following is a list of duties for the post, but further duties may be added should the Director or their nominee(s) consider them desirable or necessary.

• Act as Environmental Control Inspector, undertaking uniformed street patrols and issuing on-the-spot fines, including attendance at court where necessary. An ongoing visible presence is required across the city and county.
• Conduct duties in assigned geographical areas, which are subject to review and reassignment in accordance with the business needs of the Council.
• Operate from an assigned base that is subject to periodic review. You may be required to work in any premises occupied by Limerick City & County Council from time to time, including any premises acquired in the future.
• Report to designated officer(s) of Limerick City & County Council on a regular basis as required and work in accordance with targets and schedules set out by the Director of Services or their nominee.
• Promote the Council’s Litter and Waste Management Plans and contribute to the achievement of their objectives.
• Pursue specific complaints and cases received directly or through any department of Limerick City & County Council.
• Investigate and pursue incidents of fly posting, abandoned cars, illegal posters and illegal dumping, including keeping affected areas under observation during evenings, nights and weekends where necessary.
• Arrange, issue and serve any necessary statutory notices and follow each case through to completion in consultation with the supervisor.
• Carry out inspections and prosecutions under Environmental Legislation, Regulations and Council Bye Laws, including preparing for and giving evidence in court when required.
• Inspect illegally deposited waste for evidence of breaches of environmental legislation, regulations or bye laws.
• Engage with communities and assist groups and stakeholders in organising and undertaking voluntary clean-ups. Visit schools and attend meetings, including outside normal working hours where necessary, to provide talks, promotional literature, films and information on litter and environmental issues.
• Collect litter, rubbish, illegal signage and similar materials throughout the city and county from roadsides, arrange for disposal and assist with clean-ups requiring machinery and plant equipment.
• Undertake Litter Surveys and other research required to operate the National Litter Pollution Monitoring System (NLPMS).
• Undertake other environmental duties assigned from time to time. The Council reserves the right to determine the exact nature and extent of duties.
• Complete all required records, reports and documentation.
• Operate appropriate technology, including computer systems, hand-held terminals, cameras, mobile phones, radios, work applications, pagers and any other required technology.
• Hold a full Category B driving licence, free from endorsement, provide a personal motor vehicle for official duties and ensure that the motor insurance policy indemnifies the Council.
• Engage with Councillors and other statutory service providers where necessary.
• Wear the Council-issued uniform at all times while carrying out duties.
• Perform any other duties assigned.

The PersonCharacter

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

• Have reached a standard of education sufficient to enable them to carry out the duties assigned satisfactorily.
• Possess a current, clean, full Class B driving licence and have access to their own car.
• Have experience using information technology, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Be capable of writing clear and concise reports and maintaining work records.

Terms and ConditionsThe Post

Subject to the availability of suitably qualified candidates, a panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

The panel may be used by Limerick City and County Council to fill permanent and temporary positions that arise during its lifetime. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit.

Annual Leave

• 25 days per annum (inclusive of Good Friday).

Salary

€1,896.52 - €1,993.00 per fortnight

Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance.

Entry point on the scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.

In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1 January 2011 will enter the salary scale at the minimum point (currently €1,896.52 per fortnight).

Location

Limerick City and County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any department or premises in use by the Council, now or in the future.

Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to travel to and from work at their own expense.

Hours of Work

The standard working hours are 39 hours per week.

Working hours may be reviewed at any time by the Council. The post may require flexibility to work outside normal hours, including weekends, where necessary. No additional remuneration will be paid where these hours fall within the standard 39-hour working week.

Limerick City and County Council reserves the right to change working times and days as required to meet organisational needs.

The provisions of Limerick City and County Council’s Time and Attendance Policy apply to this grade.

Sick Leave

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will apply.

Superannuation

The Local Government Superannuation Scheme applies.

Travel

Holders of the post must hold a full Class B driving licence and will be required to drive a motor car in the course of their duties. They must provide and maintain a motor vehicle to the satisfaction of the local authority.

Travelling and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with the relevant Department Circulars and the Local Authority Travel and Subsistence Policy.

Limerick City and County Council must be indemnified on the employee’s motor insurance policy.

If, during employment, the driving licence is revoked, even temporarily, or endorsements are received that may affect duties, the employee must notify the Council immediately.

Residence

The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Safety and Welfare

The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Limerick City and County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan.

The successful candidate must familiarise themselves with all safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety clothing and equipment.

Training

It is a condition of employment that successful candidates participate in training programmes relevant to the skills required for the performance of the duties of the post.

Taking Up Appointment

The local authority shall require a person offered appointment to take up the appointment within four weeks or within such longer period as the local authority may determine at its absolute discretion. Failure to do so may result in the appointment not being made.

Garda Vetting

The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 came into effect on 29 April 2016.

The Act places a statutory obligation on Limerick City and County Council to ensure that any work or activity involving necessary and regular access to or contact with children or vulnerable persons is subject to Garda Vetting.

Probation

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a local authority is appointed:

• They shall serve a probationary period after appointment.
• The probationary period shall be determined by the Chief Executive and may be extended at their discretion.
• The person shall cease to hold the post at the end of the probationary period unless the Chief Executive certifies that their service has been satisfactory.

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 a family member entitled to remain in the State through family reunification and holding a Stamp 4 visa; or
• A non-EEA citizen who is the parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state, the UK or Switzerland and holds a Stamp 4 visa.

References

Applicants are required to provide the names of two responsible persons, not related to them, who know them well. At least one referee should be a current or former employer.

Before making an offer of employment, Limerick City and County Council reserves the right to seek references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated.

The Council reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.

General Data Protection RegulationBasis for Processing Your Personal Information

The basis for processing your personal data is to progress your application for the position with Limerick City and County Council under the Employment (Information) Act 1994 and the Human Resources Department policies and procedures.

If you do not provide the requested personal data, Limerick City and County Council will be unable to process your application for the competition.

Pre-Employment Medical

Prior to appointment, the successful candidate will be required to complete a Health Declaration and may be required to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the Council.

Where the applicant bears the cost of the medical examination, it will be refunded upon appointment, subject to statutory tax and deductions.

Canvassing

Any attempt by a candidate, or by any person acting on the candidate’s behalf, directly or indirectly, by written communication or otherwise, to canvass or influence any member of the Council staff, or any person nominated by the Council to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the candidate from the competition.