Environmental Enforcement Officer

The Role

Mayo County Council is responsible for enforcing several areas of environmental legislation. The Environmental Enforcement Team at Mayo County Council was established to protect the environment by bringing about improved compliance with waste and other environmental legislation.

The Environmental Enforcement Officer will be an energetic, proactive self-starter, capable of working on his or her own initiative. The successful candidate will therefore be competent, assertive, and will have a proven ability to communicate and work effectively with others.

The person appointed will work under the direction and control of the Executive Scientist – Waste Enforcement and Regulation, or any other officer designated by the Chief Executive.

Qualifications1. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health

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

3. Education, Training, Experience

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

i. Have passed the N.C.E.A / H.E.T.A.C National Certificate Final Examination in Science, or in Environmental Science, or hold an equivalent or higher qualification in an environment-related discipline.

And

ii. Have at least three years satisfactory experience after attaining the qualification concerned.

Or fulfil the following requirements:

iii. Have satisfactory relevant experience in a technician post at Grade II level or in an analogous post under a local authority, health board, or relevant agency in the State.

And

iv. Have at least three years satisfactory relevant experience in a technician post at Grade II level or in an analogous post.

Or

v. Have at least two years of satisfactory experience in a Grade I technician post or analogous post under a local authority, health board, or relevant agency in the State, involved in the enforcement or compliance management of waste legislation after attaining the qualification concerned.

In the event that an offer of employment is made, the candidate will be required to submit all relevant educational qualifications to meet the requirements above.

Non-Irish qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. Overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

4. Desirable

It is desirable that the successful candidate demonstrates the following through the completion of their application form and at interview:

a) Has appropriate information and communication technology skills, for example proficiency in Word, Excel, other computer programmes particular to specific project work, and email. b) Knowledge and skills to undertake duties, including the ability to take direction and follow instructions. c) Organise, prioritise, and record work effectively. d) Work well with the public and colleagues. e) Have an ability to deal with complex and confrontational situations. f) Be flexible in their approach to work. g) Be able to communicate effectively in a clear and concise manner. h) Have a good understanding of environmental policy, regulation, and waste management principles and legislation. i) Have a strong sense of ownership of their work and attention to detail. j) Be innovative and identify problems and take action to address them. k) Work equally well as part of a team or on their own initiative. l) Have a strong foundation and ability in the use of technology, and a proven record in the review and introduction of new technology. m) Have a track record of achievement and delivery of results. n) Have a knowledge of General Data Protection Regulation.

5. Citizenship

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a) A citizen of the European Economic Area. The European Economic Area consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway; or b) A citizen of the United Kingdom; or c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the European Union and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or d) A non-European Economic Area citizen who is a spouse or child of a European Economic Area, United Kingdom, 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-European Economic Area citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, a European Economic Area Member State, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa.

Particulars of the Post1. Position

A panel will be formed from qualified candidates from which permanent and temporary appointments may be made. This is a pensionable whole-time position on the basis of a thirty-five hour, five-day week.

2. Salary

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the position shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies, other than inclusive salary, payable to or received by such holder by virtue of the position or in respect of services which are required by or under any enactment to perform.

Salary Scale

€48,760 – €49,498 – €50,463 – €51,430 – €52,399 – €53,391 – €54,307 – €56,037 Long Service Increment I (after three years satisfactory service at maximum) Long Service Increment II €57,790 (after six years satisfactory service at maximum)

The starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale, and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

3. Duties

The duties of the post are to give to the local authority, and:

a) Such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts 2001 and 2014, is Chief Executive; and b) 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 above,

under the general direction and supervision of the Chief Executive, or such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an executive, administrative, or management nature as may be required.

The post holder may be required to act for an employee of a higher level if qualified to do so.

Principal Duties Include:

a) Working within the Environment Section and being responsible for the development and implementation of a methodology for bringing those affected by waste legislation into compliance. b) Identifying waste producers, ensuring that they are familiar with their responsibilities, and monitoring them on a regular basis to ensure ongoing compliance. c) Achieving the provisions of the National Waste Management Plan and the National Enforcement Priorities in conjunction with the Connaught Ulster Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authority. d) Monitoring waste generation, disposal, and recycling, and enforcing waste legislation, including but not limited to:

• Waste Management Act 1996 and associated regulations, including Farm Plastics, Packaging, Waste Collection Permits, Waste Facility Permits, Plastic Bag Levy, Tyres Regulations, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Batteries, and End of Life Vehicles.

• Air Pollution Act 1987 and associated regulations, including Solvents, Solid Fuel, Burning of Waste, and Agricultural Burning.

• Litter Pollution Act 1997.

e) Enforcement of the Household Waste Presentation Bye-Laws. f) Carrying out inspections including:

• Household and commercial kerbside collection regimes.

• Commercial food waste inspections.

• Mercury Regulations.

• Construction and demolition sites.

• Unauthorised waste collection and waste sites.

• Sites notified under Article 27 to the Environmental Protection Agency.

• Multi-agency inspections in line with the Regional Multi-Agency Compliance and Enforcement Initiative plan and National Enforcement Priorities.

• Environmental complaints, including desktop review, site investigation, follow-up, and recording.

• Waste facilities in accordance with Regional Multi-Agency Compliance and Enforcement Initiative targets, including validation of annual returns.

g) Attending court and providing witness evidence on behalf of Mayo County Council. h) Providing assistance to other colleagues.

This specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties. The post holder may be required to perform other duties appropriate to the post and contribute to the development of the role while in office.