Environmental Technician Grade 2 (Agriculture)

SECTION 1: THE ROLE

Cork County Council has a long established and experienced Agriculture Section most of which is located on Cork County Council’s Planning & Environment Directorate’s campus at Inniscarra, Co Cork.

An ideal candidate will have experience of agriculture and/or come from a farming background & will have experience/knowledge of septic tank systems.

The successful candidate will report to the Executive Engineer/Scientist.

SECTION 2: DUTIES

The candidate will work in the Agriculture Section of the Planning & Environment Directorate, Cork County Council. The candidate will be based at the Environment Offices, Cork County Council, Inniscarra, Co. Cork.

The role of the agriculture team within the Council is to implement the relevant measures outlined in the River Basin Management Plan to protect/improve water quality. This includes carrying out local catchment assessments, inspections of farms & domestic wastewater treatment systems, dealing with complaints regarding water pollution, assessment of agricultural planning applications. Agricultural staff are also involved in the assessment of Nutrient Management Plans, and enforcement of relevant National & European Communities legislation, with particular emphasis on water quality & agricultural practice.

Role Description and Responsibilities:

This is a technical position within the agriculture/septic tanks team in Cork County Council’s Environment Directorate. It represents a great opportunity to take on a demanding role in one of the largest local authorities in the country at a time when maintaining & improving water quality was never so important.

Specific duties will be as assigned by relevant line manager and will typically include (but not be limited to):

• Local catchment assessment in identified waterbodies in line with EPA guidance;

• Farm inspections under the proposed National Agricultural Inspection Programme;

• Septic tank inspections under the Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems National Inspection Programme;

• Investigation & resolution of complaints from the public regarding agriculture & water quality issues;

• Taking any necessary enforcement actions, including prosecution, to resolve issues identified during inspections/complaint investigations;

• Assessment of planning applications for agricultural developments;

• Assessment of nutrient management plans;

• Co-operation with colleagues in LAWPro & ASSAP to achieve water quality objectives in Priority Areas for Action;

• Promoting public awareness & education regarding good agricultural practices & good management of septic tanks.

The role will include carrying out inspection throughout the county in accordance with inspection procedures and scheduled programmes.

Cork County Council operates a safety management system that has been accredited to OHSAS 18001 standard. Full compliance with this safety management system is an absolute requirement for all Council staff.

SECTION 3: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA / 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.

Education, Training, Experience etc.

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

(a) (i) have passed the N.C.E.A. / H.E.T.A.C. National Certificate Final Examination in Science in Applied Biology, or in Science in Applied Chemistry or in Environmental Science or Agricultural Science.

OR

hold an equivalent qualification

AND

(ii) have at least three years satisfactory experience after attaining the qualification concerned

OR

(iii) fulfil the requirements of paragraph a. – b. below:

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

and

have at least three years satisfactory relevant experience in a technician post at Grade II level or in an analogous post,

OR

b. have satisfactory service, in a technician post at Grade I or higher level in an analogous post under a local authority or health board in the State,

(b) possess adequate training or experience relating to the control and supervision of staff.

Required Skillset

In the context of the key duties and responsibilities for the post of Environmental Technician Grade listed above, the ideal candidate should demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that they have the following knowledge, experience, skills and competencies:

• Experience of agriculture and/or come from a farming background.

• Satisfactory knowledge of relevant National and European Communities legislation, particularly in respect of agriculture & water quality.

• Have a general understanding of Local Authority services and structures in Ireland, particularly as they relate to environmental functions.

• Knowledge and awareness of statutory Health and Safety obligations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace.

• Good interpersonal and communication skills.

• Have an ability to work well in a dynamic customer focused team environment.

• A commitment to service improvement including taking ownership of tasks and issues as they arise.

• A capacity to show initiative- to be a “self starter” who takes responsibility.

• Good general ICT skills.

• A full clean driving license.

Age

Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant within the meaning of the Public Services Superannuation Act, 2004. A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 70 years of age.

Transport

Holders of the office shall hold a full driving licence for Class B Vehicles and when required to do so, 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.

SECTION 4: COMPETENCIES

A Competency Based Application form requires you to describe some of your personal achievements to date that demonstrate certain competencies (necessary skills and qualities) required for the position for which you are applying. For each competency, you are given a description of a skill or quality. You are then asked to describe a situation, from your own experience, which you think is the best example of what YOU have done which demonstrates this skill or quality.

It is essential that you describe how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question. Therefore, compose your replies carefully in this section and try to structure what you write so that you give specific information about what you have done - for example, do not simply say that “X was successful”, describe exactly what you did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question.

For each example please include the following:

a) the nature of the task, problem or objective;

b) what you actually did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality (and, where appropriate, the date you demonstrated it)

c) the outcome or result of the situation and your estimate of the proportion of credit you can claim for the outcome.

The information you present in your application may form part of a shortlisting process and may also be used to help structure your interview, should you be invited to one. A shortlisting process may be applied based on TWO or more of the competencies and on other information you provide in your application form. Please note that, should you be called to interview, the board may look for additional examples of where you demonstrated the Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Competencies required for this post, so you should think of a number of examples of where you demonstrated each of the skills.

SECTION 5: TENURE

The position is wholetime. The post is pensionable. A panel may be formed to fill vacancies for Environmental Technician Grade 2 which may arise during the lifetime of the panel.

SECTION 6: SALARY

The salary scale for the post is: €48,760 - €57,790 per year.

€48,760 – €49,498 – €50,463 – €51,430 – €52,399 – €53,391 – €54,307 (Maximum); €56,037 (1st LSI) (after 3 years satisfactory service on the Maximum), €57,790 (2nd LSI) (after 3 years satisfactory service on the 1st LSI).

Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy. Applicants should note that entry point to the salary scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government, & Heritage. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale at the minimum point.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The awarding of increments is subject to satisfactory service. 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.

SECTION 7: LOCATION OF POST

The position will be based on the Environment Directorate Campus at Inniscarra, Co. Cork. However, Cork County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department, premises or district in use by the Council, now or in the future.

Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

SECTION 8: WORKING HOURS

The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty five hour working week. A flexible working hours’ system is in operation and may be availed of subject to the terms and conditions of the FlexiTime Policy.

SECTION 9: ANNUAL LEAVE

The current annual leave entitlement is 30 days per annum. Cork County Council’s leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 (as amended).